The Detroit times., 1910-12-24
SYNOPSIS or PREVIOUS
I\STAIIMEN

Hiram Belknap is the leading citizen
or Fairvicw He Is the lawyer Tor the
railroad. the boss politician and the
only man In the village who boasts An
automobile
His heart Is wrapped up in his
daughter Jane. who combines he
beauty and dash of a Diana, with the
ideas and enthusiasm OF high school
belle she is the hope anu despair OF
every village youth on whom she
beams Two Of her foremost suitors
are Tom Wilson, the son OF "A widow,
whose husband had been "A close friend
~ Belknap. and HeZekiah jerks. the
lawyers clerk and secretary, VINO mas
hopes or political career ana dreams
that Jane may be induced some day
to share IL and encourage him in II,
White Tom ~ the one openly favor-
ed by Jane. Hezekiah craftlfy-in
hundred and one useful ways-worms
himself into the esteem and good grace
OF the father, hts employer. nile
Ton Is motoring About MIN sS SamS IL
presents the bills for damages sent IN
by neighboring farmers whose STOCK
has been run down In the roads
Papa Belknap gradually comes 10
believe that his drudge, Hezekiah, ~ 4
pretty good. industrious sort Hence;
when "Hez" humbly asks one day II
as a son-in- law" the old man replies.
Il certainly won't object TO YOU, II she
wants II that way" Hezcktah is there
by transported To the seventh heaven
Of delight
Mrs. Wilson. che widow. has mapped
out a career for her headstrong, wiItuI
son The resources left AT the death
OF her husband have almost reached
the vanishing point SO she seeks the
advice and comfort or her OLD irlehu,
Lawyer Belknap. She has asked him
TO map out something by which her
son may make a start in life.
Belknap emphasizes her VISIT py
having his servant. in the absence OF
Jane. prepare tea; After a talk over
old times. in which there steals a faint
memory OF by-gone romances the Wild
owed couple take up the subject OF
waits, eagerly. while the lawyer ad-
justs his glasses, coughs ominousiy
and begins.
"He has disappointed me" he says.
The widows hopes appear 10 be
dashed
Belknap then tells OF an offer he
made Tom TO take him into his once
and how the offer was scorned because
the salary offered was not as large as
Tom thought II should be,
Mrs. Wilson then tells or her son
desire to go TO New York, and while
talking OF this asks the lawyer what
he thinks Is the matter with her son.
Belknap replies chat she has held him
too close TO her apron strings
Tom and Jane return from an auto
trip. while the widow and the lawyer
are discussing Tom Belknap learns
that rom mas auctu 10 tine iisN VI al,
NAL casualties and says his auto Is
for sale. as he cannot AFFORD 10 have
II driven by Tom.
.Hezekiah enters and there is an eN-
change OF words between him and Tom.
az the latter regards Jane as his own
private property. The widow leaves FOR
her home and Tom remains 70 have
talk with Belknap. He tells the lawyer
that tho village is not large enough
for him. and that he means 10 get out
OF IL He says the lawyer has done
nothing worth while in life. and urges
him 10 start newspaper and give
him charge of H. This the lawyer de-
clines to do and Tom says he will go
10 New York. Belknap asks IL he has
any better prospects there than In
Fairview. and Tom replies that Mr..
Kennedy. passenger agent OF the Gem
trail. has offered TO start him at SIS
per week.