St. Johns review. (Saint Johns, Or.) 1904-current, 1910-09-30
CHATTER XY.

Ezra Dameron had never been hap.
pier than during this summer. Its lifo
had run for years an ovontless course.
his interests had been small and ne
had been content Co have them 10, hut
since tho gamblers passion had nxed
its gyves upon him he had become a
changed being. IIo walked with a
quicker step. his dropping shoulders
grew erect. he was new man, living
In a now paradise that folly was con
struoting for him. lie enjoyed the
farm greatly. rising betimea 20 direct
the work OF his lahorers. iIo permit
ted Zelda 10 drive him la her runabout
90 tho lnterurhan station-a eonces-
sion IN itself significant ~ a greater
Difference 90 tho comfort and ease ~
living.
Jack nalcomb's nat scheme had hung
frc during the spring. with only half
the stock OF the patolgn Land aud I'm
provement Company sold; hut nnlcomb
had taken Il up again. determined 20
carry it through. pameron always In
sisted. when Ralcomb approached him.
that he did not care 10 sell tho tract
on the creek which the promoter Cow
eted, hut he never rebunfed nalcomb
that Ralcomh might be- of use 20 him.
Tho young man was, moreover new
species. who talked of large affairs IA
an intimate way that fell In well with
namoron'a now ideas % business, and
he accepted nalc0mb at as high wall
uation as he ever placed upon any one.
nalcomh called one day az the dlngy
ONCE In the Dameron BLOCK.
-
said. Your oiiioe Is positively cool You
ougEt TO advertise 1.-THE coolest place
In the city, That's what ia do II
had A."
He eyed a decrepit chair by Damer-
on's desk. sat down In Il with mlsgiv-
ings, and famed himself with his
straw hat. whose blue ribbon. IL may
be said. was OF exactly the same tint
es his shirt and socks
"You are very prompt Mr. nalcomb.
] trust my chance word of tho other
night hasn't put you 10 Inconvenience. A"
Don't worry about met l natter
n,y self that ] know when 10 go and
whom 20 come, and a word from man
OF your standing Is enough for novice
like me. There's a disposition all along
the line 20 crowd out old men. but |
tell you. MT Dameron, we've got a lot
10 learn from the senior class, l natter
myself that ! have among my friends
some OF the grandest old men IN the
state, and I'm proud of H."
"A worthy sentimental very worthy
sentiment. Mr. Balcomb,"
Il consider, Mr. Dameron. that any
thing may be able 20 DO for you Is 70
my credit II looks well 10 the public
for young tyro In business 10 win the
confidence OF one OF the conservatives.
Doctor Bridges, over at Tippecanoe-
you know the doctorf-"
Il know him very well. indeed"
Doctor Bridges, the president OF TIP
pecanoe College. was venerable Pres
byterian minister. widely beloved FOR
his many virtues, Dameron's facs
lighted at the mention of tho name
Balcomb saw that he had struck the
right note and continued volubly,
well. sir l was the doctors secre-
tary I'm my junior and senior years, and
I shall always feel that learned more
from that venerable old patriarch than
from my books. The doctor used 20
say 20 me In that sweet winning way
OF his, 'Balcomb,' no would say, he
honest be Just over and over again
he would repeat those words, and they
got 70 be sort OF rule OF life with
me But l didn't come here 20 take up
your time with "reminiscences"
MT Balcomb." said Dameron. tip
ping himself back In his chair, "you
have suggested 10 mo the possibility Il
selling a strip OF land l hold as trus-
tee out here on the creek. AS l have
told you before. l DO not care 20 sell ai
this time. have. however some lots
southwest Of town. also a part OF 4