The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1910-12-20
The Leading Citizen.


only begins and ends there.
The rest of il has TO do with that
center OF art and boarding houses, OF
factories and culture. OF theaters and
heartlessness which is known TO the
world as little old New York.
IL is a story OF girl. with girls
ideals and hopes, and boy. with a
boys thoughtlessness and vanity. and
how they met and loved each other
and finally. after many days-but let
us tell ii. just exactly as IT happened
Hiram Belknap. in the hrst place,
was father OF the girl. In the second
place. he was a prospecting country
lawyer, not too scrupulous TO do when
was expected of HIM by generous
railroad. not too knavlsh TO do great
deal OF good in his little sphere.
Fairview was proud of him because
he had money and brains. II elected
him 10 it's town council: il admired
his handsome house and his mother
less daughter. II suffered its pigs ana
chickens 10 be run over by his automo-
bile, not neglecting, however, to SEND
him in a bill for every execution OF
that sort
Belknap was big, warm hearted.
smooth-shaved, generous, intolerant OF
faults in other people, but withal kind
ly and we'll disposed toward all men
who would, in turn, agree noe 10 inter
fere with his ambitions.
The Beauty Of Village Diana.
AS for Jane, who is the girl. she
had all the enthusiasm OF a high
school combined with all the beauty
of a village DIANA combination 10
cause unouiet in such of the youth Oh
the ether sex as had looked AT her
twice and talked with her once.
One autumn afternoon, September
probablv was the month, Belknap SAT
in his study finishing up some "orh
for his rich client, the railroad.
Across a big mission table piled
with pens and ink and legal cap Ia
bored HeZekiah jerks, note doom
his knee and a busy pencil III ms
Ianky fingers. Behind HeZeklah
freckled forehead was shrew BRAN
"a brain not content with serving
as a mere secretary. HeZeklan meant
some day 10 be town constable, ana
after that-well, even presidents nave
10 begin somewhere.
Ii had been hard afternoon ana
Hezekiah, glancing furhvely up from
his notes. saw with relief that his EN-
nloyer had pushed aside a number OF
documents as not worthy OF attention..
Guess that's ALL said the lawyer
showing back his chair.
"Yes. sir" replied jerks, In voice
in which obedience and gratitude were
beautifully blended.
Belknap rose and looked out across
the broad yeranda to the garden De-
yond.
where's Jane?" he inquired.
Haven't seen her since noon, SAID
Hezekiah, sadly. Il think she Weh'
an, with Wilson" This last with
touch of bitterness.
The 5elknap Automobile.
WILSON," inquired Belknap, look
ing up sharply. He frowneu ,or on
instant. then. THAT automobile was
mistake frightful extraVagahce
I'm sorry | bought II.
Hezekiah grinned. -
81 guess the town would miss It. II
YOU gave II up" he said, with chuch
lie. "It's the only one IN FairVieW.
The lawyer smiled, complacently.
1T gives us little tone, he saia,
that's why | bought it. But didn [
count on the reckless slaughter OF AMI
mails involved in running 1t. Upon my
soul. we've killed enough chickens
and pigs with ii TO run the town lot
a year
Nobody kicks so long as you pay
for them" said Hezekiah. cheerfuiiy'
The secretarys gaiety nettled BeiK
nap.
II don't intend to pay for them much
longeri" he exclaimed. IF this town
wants an automobile. it will have TO
stand for the accidents
He turned to the table and picked
up handful Of papers.
Here he said, handling them 10
Hezekiah. take these with you down
to the Office Tell everybody that calls
that | won't be down till Monday. II
there's anything important send them
over here to me-understand?
Yes, sir" said Hezekiah, humoly,
and started for the door.
Hezekiah Presses His Suit.
AT the threshold he halted, turned
about as IL 70 say something, checked
himself and then recrossed the room
toward his chief A dull, brick red
slowly suffused his cheeks, making a.
vivid background for the huge freckles
that bespangled them.
For a moment he stood there, ap-
palled under Belknaps inquiring eye
then he stammered:
Scuse Me. Mr.. Belknap: have you
thought any more on what said
about jane
NO. said Belknap shortly. Il don't
want to influence her in any way.
The secretary moved dispiritedly
toward the door, but swung about
with alarcity when the lawyer added
AT least. don't want 10 be COM
PEELED TO do So
Then you don't object 10 me-
gasped the secretary.
why should II" asked Belknap.
You're "A pretty good boy, energetic,
and you'll make your mark
some day No | don't object to you,
II she wants It that way"
Thank you, sir" almost shouted
the stenographer; II can come back
and see her a little later"
Any time after you are through
with your work" said Belknap. be
nignantly. This might be a future
sonin-law, but he was not TO be al
lowed to forget that he was a present
secretary.
Treading on air. Hezekiah started
for the door. and. blind TO all the
world beside his vision of the enchant.
ing Jane. he collided with Sarah, the
housemafd who had come I'm TO an.