The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-11-20

All the delay did not bother Carruthers.
He was buoyant. serene, cheerful to a
high degree. He had an automobile, was
at the theatre regularly, and, having
been introduced into society by his as
sociates, had entrance to some of the
best houses in the city. Life was pleasant
to him, and he enjoyed 1t fully.
1t was In the third month of the syndi-
cate that the storm cloud appeared Ed
wards called at Dolger's office to borrow
500.
I'm sorry I cannot accommodate you,
said Dolger, but mutual friend Dor
rowed some money from me, and until
can get it back I'll be somewhat short
Edwards then called on Smiley.
Sorry" replied Smiley, but friend of
ours was In need of some money and l
let him have all l could spare
Next Edwards called on Rogers, only
to get the same answer.
"say, Rogers said Edwards, whose
temper was tried somewhat by his non
success and whose suspicious possibly
were aroused by the similarity of the
replies he had received to his requests,
would you mind telling me who was the
mutual friend?'
well" said Rogers, 'Tll tell you in
strict confidence. 1t was Carruthers."
what chump l am exclaimed Ed
wards Here Nv been running around
town trying to borrow money to lend to
him. I'll bet he's the man who has
touched Dolger and Smiley
They called Dolger and Smiley on the
phone and Dolger and Smiley confessed
they had made generous loans to the de-
lightful Mr.. Carruthers. Then they calico
I'D jackson, Thompson, Chapman, Carney
and the others. Carruthers had played no
favorites. He had borrowed from each
and all. The total sum was up in the
thousands.
Rogers took it harder than any of them.
He had been responsible for the others
Joining the syndicate. He had Gained
those who were impatient over the delay
in receiving the papers and starting bust
ness. Now he saw a great light. He had
been deceived from the start 1t was
swindle and he had been made the dupe
of clever rascal and had dragged his
friends into the game.
Rogers summoned all the members OF
the syndicate to his office, and there
thew had a heart-to heart talk. They
had contempt for themselves for being
so neutrality-suspicious. as all the
friends had been put in Carruthers'
care. Possibly they could get a little
of the money back. but that was doubt
full.
If was Edwards always both eaded,
who dispelled the gloom by a sugges-
ton that met with favor from ma
jcrity and only slight opposition from
few.
I'm going to have the satisfaction
of taking a little of my mqaey's worth
out of that sharper's hide" he an
nounced. what l put in was not so
much. but it means more to me, for
I'm poorer than most of you and
don't intend to let anybody rob me ana
get away with 1t without licking"
Edwards was a rawboned. muscular
young man, red-headed and stem
minded. The blowing up of the Get
Rich Quick syndicate was tragedy
to him, for it meant the loss of the
savings of several years. The others
counseled moderation, but they were
almost as bitter in their feelings. They
agreed to the proposal he made that
Carruthers should be invited to meet
the party and called to account for
his rascality. Not caring to have the
conformation in Carruthers' hotel, it
was decided to invite him to a gath
ering at a resort near the outskirts
of the city.
Carruthers. gay and happy as usual,
was astonished when he arrived. The
others had something to eat and drink
before he got there. He greeted them
as usual, but no one responded.
well. you're fine bunch of UNDER