Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1910-07-02
His Secret
BY NATHAN HARDY
Copyright, 1910. by American Press
Association.

'ahu WIS at one cme q member of our
group-but as time wore on he was
gradually dropped by all except Alan
Wells and myself. This was on ac-
count OF the principles. or lack Of
principles. he advocated. For instance.
he asserted that the Spartan code
that the criminality attached to steal.
ing was In getting caught-would ap-
ply In most cases today. He declared
mat he would rob any one If he could
do so without being detected.
When roland gave us such ideas as
this at hrst we laughed at him. telling
him that he didn't believe what he
said. But pessimists are never popular,
and one by one his friends dropped
away from him. AS have said. Wells
ana stuck TO him. feeling all the
while that his pessimism was but skin
deep. The only way we could see he
proved his theory of general seltishness
was by declining to spend his money
as We spent ours. When we asked him
what he did with his surplus change
ne snld that he was keeping 1t for his
own use You fellows" he would
say. don't spend money on euch other
because you wish to. but because you
are afraid OF being considered mean If
you don't. Ergo. you are mean. New
crtheless 1 will admit that there may
be some generosity I'm yonr case, for
you do spend your money. while ], who
do not spend mine. show myself to be
absolutely mean and selfish"
Ihls would start anew arguments
that had already been worn thread
bare, and MT the end of every argu-
ment Poland would lose another
friend
What do you think of a 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 n common thief who
practiced what he preached" I replied,
Il would think him nu element of So
ciety that should be so far as possible
eliminated. Infthe case of Oscar POI,
land should consider that I 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. L
tell you the man who declares such
ideas shows that he has been born
blind to principle the same as another
has been born blind to colors. Take
my word for 1t. IL Oscar Poland ever
hnds an opportunity to make himself
rich ut another's expense hen do it."
'They say business is but legalized
robbery"
My opinion Of you is that you're
incurred with these fanacies your
self" 80
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
ne wondered what Oscar did with his
money. There was certainly no evil
dence Of his boarding Ii, and. as to
spending Ii. he was considered too mean
10 offer friend cigar. That same
evening we were walking along one of
The principal streets of the town when
suddenly Poland appeared ahead of us.
Lets shadow him" said Alan. I'VE
may find out something"
III thought for q moment we should
discover something that would COM
promise him l would decline. AS 1t is
I'm with you"
SO we Jagged behind just far enough
to keep Oscar In sight, now and again
1odg1ng behind a pair OF steps or a
tree to keep him from observing us.
Presently we saw him go into q dry
goods store. When be left the store
be carried bundle under his arm. He
kept on I'm his course. we following.
His next stop was at drug store.
Going TO buy asafetida and take
dose now and then when no one
secs him." Alan remarked.
One more stop and we had seen all
OF our quarry's purchases. He en-.
tered toy store.
Il have it," exclaimed Alan. Hes
married and running a family wi1h-
out the faculty knowing IT, xs.,,
Perhaps you're right. replied
THE chase IS getting interesting"
Oscar left the toy store with more
bundles and. turning or the main shop.
ping street, pursued one that led into
a mean portion OF the town.
II hope" said Alan. "he isn't bring.
ing up his children in this location"
Presently Oscar stopped at the door
OF little cottage that was rotting
away. 1t was opened for him. and he
went inside
Our games blocked" / said.
wait TIL he goes away"
So we waited half an hour. when Os-
car left the house and strolled uncon-
cernedly down the street He had no
sooner gone beyond recall than we
Knocked at the door from which he
had emerged a pale woman opened
II.
We're looking for Oscar Poland"
said Alan, entering without an invita-
ton.
Well. 81 was all out. Several little
children Zone Of them SD were there.
Another was trying on some new
clothing. and by the sick one on q
table stood d botfie ~ rnod{cfro