Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1910-08-11

wouldn't have embarrassed Chancellor
Kent. l really had a client once.
didn't see a chance of getting one any
other way, so hired him. He was a
coon. l employed him for two dollars
to go to the Grand Opera House and
| buy seat in the orchestra when Sir
Henry Irving was giving THE Mer-
chant of Venice" He went to sleep
and snored and they threw him out
with rude, insolent, and angry hands
after the second act; and l brought
suit against the management for dam
ages basing my claim on the idea that
they had spurned my dusky brother
on account of his race, color and pre-
vious condition of serviture. The last
clause was a joke. He had never
done any work in his life, except for
the State. My client got loaded on gin
about the time the case came up on de-
murrer and gave the snap away, and
being disbarred. So here l am; and
I'm glad 1 shook the law, I'd got tired
of eating coffee and rolls at the Berlin
bakery three times a day.
One of the typewriter operators en-
tered with a brisk air of business and
handed telegram to Balcomb, who
tore it open nonchalently. .As he read
it, he tossed the crumpled envelope
over his shoulder in an absentminded
way. Then, to the girl, who waited
with note e-book and pencil in hand
Never mind; don't wait. I'll dictate
the answer later. How did it work?"
he asked. turning to Leighton, who had
been looking over the books on the ta-
BILE.
How did what work."
THE fake. 1t was a fake telegram.
That girls trained to bring in g mes
sage every time have caller. If the
caller stays thirty minutes, it's two
messages-in other words, I'm on
fifteen minute schedule. 1 tip boy
in the telegraph office to keep me sup
piled with blanks. It's a great scheme.
There's nothing like a telegram to
create the impression that your office
is seething caldron of business"
you have passed the poetry stage,
beyond a doubt But 1 should think
the strain of keeping all this going
would be wearing on your sensitive
poetical nature. And it must cost
1T does, but Carr keeps a whole
corps of rascals to spread apple but
ter on the Legislature corn-bread."
You'd better speak to him about it.
He'd probably tell Mrs. Carr to ask
you to dinner right away"
"Oh, that will come in time. 1 don't
expect to do everything at once. You
may see me up there some time; and
when you do, don't shy off like colt
at the choo-choos. BY the way, I'd
like to be one of the bright particular
stars of the Dramatic Club If you can
fix it. You remember that amateur
are rather in my line"
He looked at his watch and gave
the stem key a few turns before re-
it to his pocket.
You'll have to excuse me, old man.
rye got a date with Adams. He's a
right decent chap when you know how
10 handle him. l want to get them to
finance a big apartment house scheme,
rye got an idea for a fiat that will
make the town sit up and gasp"
Don't linger on my account, Jack
I only stopped in to. see whather you
Kept your good spirits. l feel as though
I'd had a shower bath. Come along"
Several men were waiting to see Bal
comb in the outer office and he shook
hands with all of them and begged
them to come again, taking care to
mention that he had been called to the
Central States Trust Company and had
% hurry away.
He called peremptorily to the pass
ng elevator-car to wait, and as he
md Leighton squeezed into it, he con-
inued his half of an imaginary con-
5ersation in a tone that was audible |
o every passenger.
Il could have had those bonds, If |
had wanted them; but 1 knew there |
vas a cloud on them-the county was |
llready over its legal limit. l guess
hose St Louis fellows will be sorry |
hey were so enterprising-here we
.re!"
And then in lower tone to Leigh
on: THAT was for old man Damer-
ms benefit. Did you see him jammed
,ack in the corner of the car? Queer
Id party and as tight as drum.
When can work off some assessable
nd non-interest bearing bonds on him,
til be easy to sell Uncle Sans Treas
ry a gold brick. They say the old
nan has a daughter who is finer than
old; yea, than much fine gold. I'm
ding to look her up, if ever get time.
,ou'd better come over soon and pick
ut an office. So longi"
Leighton walked back to his office in
ood humor and better contented with
is own lot