Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1910-05-26

| certainly q, consistent beast. As 1 was
saying, I mean that you shall treat her
well, not according to your own ideas,
but mine I want you to brace up and
try to act or look like a white man.
| You've got to keep enough servants in
that old shell OF yours TO take care OF
it. You must be immensely rich BY
this time. You haven't spent any
money for twenty years; and you've
undoubtedly profited well in your
handling of what Margaret left Zee.
That was like Margaret, to make you
trustee of her child's property; after
the dogs life you had led her! You
may be sure that it wasn't because she
had any confidence in you, but because
she had borne with you bravely, and
it was like her to make an outward
show of respect for you from the
grave And I suppose she hoped you
might be man at last for the girls
sake. The girls her mother over
again; she's a thoroughbred. And you
I suppose God toIerates you on earth
merely to make Heaven more attrac-
tive"
Merriam at no time raised his voice;
the Merriams were a Iow-spoken fam
lily; and when Rodney Merriam was
quietest he was most dangerous.
Voices could be heard now across the
hall. The morning conference was at
an end; and Michael Carr crossed TO
his room at twenty-five minutes be-
fore nine, and opened the door in the
full knowledge that Ezra Cameron was
waiting for him. Many strange things
had happened in the offices of Knight,
Kittredge & Carr; but Michael Carr
had long ago formed the habit of see
ing everything and saying nothing.
Good morning, gentlemen" he said,
affably, and shook hands with both
men.
Z have just been warning Ezra
against overwork," said Merriam, COM
posedly. AT Ezra's age a man ought
to check himself; he ought to let other
people use the hammer and drive the
nails"
Rodney always had his little joke"
said Cameron, and laughed a dry
laugh that showed his teeth in his very
unpleasant smile.
Merriam wished both gentlemen
satisfactory disposition of their bust
ness. It was, of course, a perfectly
natural thing for him to drop into a
law office on a pleasant October morn
ing and, meeting there a connection of
his family, hold converse with him on
matters of common interest Michael
Carr was not, however, dull man.
and he understood perfectly that Rod
ney Merriam had decided to resume
diplomatic relations with Ezra Damer-
on; and he rightly guessed the reason
to be the return of Margaret Damer-
on's daughter to her fathers house.
Merriam found Morris Leighton at
work in the library. The young man
threw down his book in surprise as the
old gentleman darkened the door
THE date shall be printed in red ink
on the office wall! 1 never expected to
see you here!"
1T may never happen again, my
boy. Is this all you have to do, read
books? I sometimes wish I had been
a lawyer. Nothing to do but read and
write; it's the easiest business there
is"
Mr.. Carr would like to see you; I'd
be glad to call him-except that this
is his morning with Mr.. Cameron"
ITO be sure it is; but don't trouble
yourself I've seen both of them, any
how"
"Oh!"
Z just happened in and found Mr..
Cameron waiting; so I amused him
until Mr.. Carr appeared. You still
have your historic morning roundup
here. 1 suppose. There are two things
that you young gentlemen will I'M
douPtedly derive from Mr.. Carr-good
manners and sound literary tastes"