The bee. (Earlington, Ky.) 1889-19??, 1910-11-18
Secret
BY NATHAN HARDY
Copyright. 1910. by American Press
Association


group-but as time wore on he wa
gradually dropped by all except AIal
Wells and myself. This was on &C
count of the principles, or lack O
principles, he advocated For instance
he asserted that the Spartan code
that the criminality attached to steal
ing was In getting caught--would an
ply In most cases today. He declared
that he would rob any one IL he coult
do so without being detected.
When Poland gave US such ideas as
this at FIRST we laughed at him. telline
him that he didn't believe what hf
said. But pessimists are never popular
and one by one his friends dropped
away from him. As have said, Wells
and l stuck to him. feeling all the
while that his pessimism was but skin
deep. The only way we could see be
proved bis theory Of general selfishness
was by declining to spend his money
as we spent ours. When we asked him
what he did with his surplus change
he said that he was keeping It for his
own use. ''You fellows" be would
say, don't spend money on each other
because you wish to. but because you
are afraid Of being considered mean II
you don't. Ergo. you are mean. New
ertheless I win admit that there may
be some generosity In your case, for
you do spend your money. while l, who
do not spend mine. show myself to be
absolutely mean and selfish"
This would start anew arguments
that had already been worn thread
bare, and at the end Of every argu-
ment Poland would lose another
friend.
What do you think of man." said
one of our set to me one day. who ad-
mits that he would rob or steal provid-
ed he was sure of not being caught?"
I'm the case Of common thief who
practiced what he preached" replied.
II would think him an element of so
ciety that should be so far as possible
eliminated. 10 the case of Oscar Po-
land | should consider that did not
understand him.
Not understand him. Well. | like
that. The more fool you If you should
leave funds within his grasp that he
could take without being detected.
tell you the man who declares such
ideas shows that be has been born
blind to principle the same as another
has been born blind to colors. Take
my word for 1t. If Oscar Poland ever
finds an opportunity to make himself
rich at another's expense he'll do it,"
They say business is but legalized
robbery"
MY opinion Of you is that you're
tinctured with these fallacies your
self"
And SO 1t was that some of our asso-
ciates came to show some GOODNESS to
Wells and me. who defended Poland.
Alan and l were talking the matter
over one day. and Alan remarked that
he wondered what Oscar did with his
money. There was certainly no EVIL
dence of his boarding it. and. as to
spending it. he was considered too mean
to offer a friend a cigar. That same
evening we were walking along one of
the principal streets of the town when
suddenly Poland appeared ahead of us.
Let's shadow him." said Alan. I'VE
may find out something"
IF thought for a moment we should
discover something that would COM
promise him ! would decline. AS It is
I'm with you"
So we Jagged behind just far enough
70 keep Oscar in sight. now and again
lodging behind a pair of steps or a
rec to keep him from observing us.
Presently we saw him go into a dry
goods store. When he left the store
ne carried bundle under his arm. He
Kept on in his course we following,
Ills next stop was at a drug store.
Going to buy asafetida and take
| dose now and then when no one
ices him." Alan remarked.
One more stop and we had seen all
If our quarry's purchases. He en-.
cred toy store.
II have It," exclaimed Alan He's
married and running a family with
Dut the faculty knowing it,"
Perhaps you're right" I replied,
The chase is getting interesting"
Oscar left the toy store with more
'undles and. turning off the main shop
ling street. pursued one that led into
! mean portion of the town.
81 hope" said Alan. ''he isn't bring.
ng up his children in this location" !
Presently Oscar stopped at the door
II little cottage that was rotting
way. 1t was opened for him. and he
vent inside.
"Our games blocked" | said.
"Wait till he goes away
SO we waited half an hour. when Os-
ar lsft the house and stroIled uncon-
'ernedIy down the street He had no
sooner gone beyond recall than we
at the door from which he
lad emerged A pale woman opened |
t.
Were looking for Oscar Poland"
aid Alan, entering without an invita-
ion
Well it was ali out Several little
hildren lone of them III were there
4 4.