The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-10-15
" RC~AANCED OF TIE BUJINEI1 MOPLD
II Draft on Hi Friend
the .%hnh
BY RICHARD sPlLLANE.

Late had no problems for Mr., Hamil-
DON Laidlaw Ward except at such ir-
regular intervals as 1t became neces-
Bar,y for him to interview his respected
sire. Then the panics that brought
commissions to the rest of the world
political upheavals, strikes and various
cataclysms affecting capital and labor.
were OF minor Importance as compared
with his personal affairs. The old man
stormed and ragged, threatened and
scolded for days or possibly a week
and then surrendered. Whereupon liam
proceeded to make up for lost time and
to blot from his memory the peniten-
tial period.
Ham had no particular vices. He
was an engaging and companionable
person. Probably II he had not had
rich father he would have been USE
full human being. But he had done
nothing except enjoy life according
to his own sweet will. He had lots OF
friends and few enemies He had a
nimble wit and was a great practical
joker. He could keen roomfu of
people rocking with laughter over his
innumerable stories. and was even
thought we'll Of by his valet. lie
dressed well. knew everybody, had a
wide acquaintance in London and Paris
and had almost genius for spending
money. He had been expelled from
two colleges and was p. ound of it
What he lacked OF book learning was
more than offset by experience He
was in short, altogether. charming. his
smile 30 engaging, his disposition so
gay and happy that nobody could be
angry with him for long. His father
would make the Sravest resolutions to
put an end to the young mans folly,
but Ham would toy with him, would
smile and tell story or two, and be-
fore the old man knew It. he was sign
ing the usual check.
1t was a mystery to Hamilton's long
eunaring father and to his dotirg
mother how he acquired his speudthrift
habits and his insouciance His father
had married twice-once to his busi-
ness and once to his wife, and he was
devoted to each. The old gentleman
had hoped against hope that Ham
would settle down and go into busi-
ness, but Hamilton had no such inten-
flon or desire. He was perfectly con-
tented to let things continue as they
were.
II it had not been that tile elder
Ward had suffered some reverscs ana
also some indigestion. his son might
have pursued the even tenor of his
~ey to tho end. But when Hamilton
Laidlaw was thirty he got the shock
Of his life. When no went on his usual
pilgrimage Of plunder the old gentle
MAN said mol" He said it in n voice
quite different from that he usually
employed. He spoke in cold tone he
never had used to S m before He
told the young man some unpleasant
truths. He told him he was a para
rite and waster that he never had
earned an honest dollar ana never had
done worthy deed. He tola him his
foolishness would have 10 cease then
md there, for he would get no further
cid to pursue his evil course However
indulSent the father had been in the
past 1t could not be the same In the
future, simply because he had not TIE
means.
II am" he said, probably as much
to blame for youv present had show.
Ing MS you are. ] -,;ilize the fault is
not altogether yours. But you are not
soin6 to snuander any more If my
money. You will have to go to work
You are starting pretty late You will
have to earn your cwn living from
this time on. You are unflttei for or
binary business, but there arc a few
l'L.s in which y>n lav slr"eni III Won
apply yourself. lost of no account
pereons have tat! encl throaxn y.u
heretofore, al NY eGpe;.se " .yin be
necessary now for You to fntten AZ
thar expense. ii You fnil yon are The
On" 20 suffer. Now there ar. two or
three branches :. consider
According to the elder Wards ideas,
his son might sell bonds. sell life in