Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1910-11-05
His old friend called on him and

His old friend called on him and
sald
Bob. can lc, you have $4,000 on
nominal interest and without secu-
rity. would double il; but you see.
my wife and children have their claim
on me. and don't feel that have the
right 10 do more"
Spooner grusped his friends hand.
but said nothing for n time. then told
Gibson be would consider the matier
she advised her husband to accept II.
but showed such antagonism to the
donor that Spooner resolved TO decline
the loan. Indeed. the sum was not
large enough to put him on his feet MS
he wished. and he preferred TO manip-
ulate certain banks with which he had
done business TO raise twenty times
the amount lie failed In this and was
obliged to take n subordinate position
In the employ Of another
Gibson was now very prosperous.
lie had never made money fast ex.
cept during the recovery from the
panic. when the values Of the prop
erty he had bought expanded as rap.
Idly as they had contracted. His wife
set up a carriage and two or three
automobiles. The couple purchased
the Spooner home that Spooner might
redeem II when again able 10 do so.
But as time passed II did not appear
that Spooner would ever be able to do
So Had II not been for the influence
Of Gibson's wife he would have yield
ed to his affection for his old friend
and offered 10 deed the place back TO
him.
And now came one OF those combi
nations of circumstances calculated 10
drive apart instead OF weld together
those who love. Robert Spooner as
young man had desired to accumulate
partly that he might help the friend
whom he looked upon as his inferior
He now saw that inferior In n posi-
ton to help him. Had he been unln-
fiuenced he might have stood the
strain occasioned by jealousy. But
Mrs. Spooner, disappointed In not be
ing able TO retain the grip she had Sc
cured on society, smarting at seeing
the man whose influence over her
husband she had disliked successful
while Spooner was n failure. began a
series OF innuendoes against Gibson.
These had no effect nj first. but. being
followed up pertinaciously. at last In
fectcd the subject on whom she work
ed.
Finally Spooner. seeing rare OPP
portunity, made desperate effort TO
interest certain men with capital. sue
ceeded and with one OF these brilliant
strokes for which he had formerly
been remarkable made fortune. AS
soon as Gibson heard OF the fact he
sent note 10 his friend Offering TO
sell him his former home at the price
he had paid for 1t. which was about
half its present valuation. But the
poison was in Spooner's blood. and he
replied CURLY that the place would
not now he commensurate with his
altered fortunes.
From that time there was contin
ued effort on the part OF the Spooners
to flaunt their position In the face OF
the Gibsons--that Is. on the part OF
Mrs. Spooner. What her husband did
was inspired by her. But this Gibson
didn't know. and he felt his old
friends antagonism keenly. The
Spooners grew richer. and the richer
they grew the more they snubbed the
Gibsons. Mrs. Spooner's chief desire
seemed 10 he to make them under
stand that while they had thousands
the Spooners had millions and that
there was as wide difference In the
social position of the two families as
there was IN their financial position.
And so II came that the two friends
drIfted apart Both retired from bust
ness. and both were old men. Neither
had any use for the money he had
accumulated beyond bare living.
Whatever enjoyment there was In
wealth was derived by their families
Friends had dropped away. and the
old men were companionable with no
one. One evening while Mrs. Spooner
was entertaining house full OF guests
her husband. letting himself out
through back door walked into the
street. lie felt the desolation OF
homeless man.
Passing n cafe that had been in the
same location for halfa century. where
he and Gibson had in their youth met
for bite. glass Of beer and to talk
over their affairs. he was seized with
melancholy desire 10 go in and sit In
the old familiar seat. As he ap-
preached the stall he found II occupied
by an old man. He was about TO pass
on when he heard his name spoken.
Turning. he saw the veteran In the
booth looking at him intently.
Bob
Lars
They sat side by side. as they had
done when boys just entering upon
their careers remaining for n time