Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1911-04-14
Which Was
the Rich Man?

ing day in the city, was conscious or
an unusual sense Of WEAKNESS and
depression. There was no particular
reason for It, for though the day had
been we'll occupied, its events had
marched smoothly, and all his under
taking seemed to promise success.
New contracts had been signed that
very day which would bring his firm
into the very front rank in their own
particular line, and which would prac-
tically stamp out the slight opposition
which they had been doing their best
to get rid of for some time.
Curiously enough. the man who
the signing of the contracts would
most seriously affect, had travelled by
the same train, and alighted with For
rest at Wimbledon station. Forrest
lived at the farside Of Wimbledon
Common, in a palatial home which
had little of Suburbia about It; the
other man, Paul Chavasse, lived not
of neat villas.
The reluctance was on Forests
side, for he knew perfectly well that
what had happened that day at di.
rectors' meeting in the Cannon Street
Hotel would mean the practical ex-
tinction of the smaller man.
He assumed that Chavasse was in
ignorance of the prospect in front of
him, otherwise his greeting would
hardly have been so friendly.
Forrest was the older man and a
typical city magnate. large, important,
breathing efficiency and success at
every pore.
The other was tall, spare man.
about forty-six, but looking older, with
a face Of singular refinement and
delicacy, and smile which invariably
won him place in peoples hearts.
Forrest, on the other hand, seldom
smiled. His face was somewhat heavy
and forbidding, though he had good
features and certain dignity just
perhaps bordering on pomposity.
"Ah, good evening, Mr.. Chavasse,"
he observed, raising his hat with
slightly punctilious air.
Good evening. You are walking
home; may | have the pleasure of
taking the same path? l always have
a good walk before dinner. and that
is the advantage you have in the
breadth of the common to cross"
"It Is not so good on Winter
morning with the wind due northeast"
observed Forrest grimly, but did not
say that he would be pleased to have
a companion on his walk. .
Chavasse observed the lack of cor
diality in Forests manner, but did
not suffer it to damp his spirits, which
were very good. Contrary to all For
rests ideas of the man, he had very
few cares. he took life simply and
easily, and had not worn his powers
threadbare with the strife of COM
petition.
at is a privilege to live out here,
especially at the opening of the year."
observed Chavasse, breathing the
delicious airs of April with keen en-
joyment.
at is fairly good as far as it goes.
but l should like to go further out
into the real country. If l could sell
my house without dropping too much
over it, l shouldn't hesitate a mo-
ment"
"But it is a beautiful place. and SO
secluded. 1t seems to me you could
hardly do better even in the country"
Forrest shrugged his shoulders.
after all, it is London, and when
man has been grubbing in that un-
holy city all day he wants to get
clean away"
II suppose you feel it So" said
Chavasse with a slight wonder in his
eyes. Would you propose to retire
from active city life altogether them"
Anthony Forrest looked surprised.
mot at all Retirement is q fatal
take for man. almost at any age. 1t
has shortened more lives than any
known disease No, l shall never re-
tire from city life"
you like it,"
Forrest shrugged his shoulders.
"It has become a second nature.
What about your"
Chavasse smiled
ooh, l am cast in different mold.
/ am naturally attached to the coun-
try in which was born and If could
afford it l should live there entirely.
But l like London, and city life within
moderation. The strain of big respon-
sibilities, however, Is irksome, and
quickly depresses me. ! have just had
what l consider to be stroke Of un-
commonly good luck this very after
noon"
"Ah, what is that?" inquired For
rest quickly.
II have had the offer of an excel
lent situation. which will give me
comfortable salary and commit me TO
nothing except so many hours of hon.
est work in day. shall have no hand
nor any stake in the enterprises which
will come and go, and be settled
ladc