The Sentinel=record., 1911-12-10
it week from Saturday. but won't

tAttNat'
 Bessie interrupts again inaudlbly.
 "Of course l could do that. but if just said Miss Carpenter and guests that nosey old Homer Littlejohn d think meant him. too. and if only said guest it'd look too pointed. Don't you think soY''
 To my relief they pass from hearing. and feel for my pipe for comfort ANYWAY. l never did Ike Josie Lock wood. Smoking. l mediate on the astonishing power of personality Here is Dir Nathaniel Duncan no more than fortnight in our midst ahe phrase is used callously as something sacred to country journaismp, and. behold. not yet has the. town ceased to discuss him The control he has over the local mind and imagination is certainly wonder ful, the more so since he has appar- ently made no effort to attract atten- tion-rather, l should say. to the con trary Quiet and unassuming he goes his way. minding his own husi- ness as carefully as we would mind it for him, with all the good viii in the world. if only we could find out what it is. But we can't leave him alone.
 Tracey Tanner interrupts my mus ings
 'Iiello." lie twangs. like d tuneess banjo
 "Lo. Tracey" This lofty and blase greeting ;.;as:; ee..se from none other than Roland Barnette.
 s"Where you goin'?'
 lover to the railway station"
 What for?"
 TO give you something to talk about I'm going to send telegram to friend of mine in Moo York
 "Aw. you ain't the only one can send teegrams Sam Graham sent one just now"
 He dldw
 sUh-huh was sort of hangin' round when he came in. and seen him send it myself"
 sam Graham telegraphing. Do you know who to. Tracey?' Hollands su- periority is wearing thin under contact with his curiosity. This surprising bit of news makes him distinctly more affable and inclined to lower bmself to he socal level of the son of the livery stable keeper.
 As for myself. I am inclined to lean out of the window and call Tracey up lest he get out of hearing before I hear the rest of it. Fortunately I am not thus obliged 10 compromise my dignity. Tine two are nt pause.
 Gimme ciga ::.ee..;:e s::::;:dl :::;:dl I'll tell you" bargains Tracey shrewdly Lew Par ker fold me after sam d gone''
 The deaf is put through promptly.
 He was telegraphin to- Got a march?"
 For once atn in sympathy with Ro- land. whose tone betrays his desire to wiring Tracey's exasperating neck.
 "Aw- he was only telegraDhin' to Gresham. < Jones for seme sody wa ter sirups."
 "Where'd he get the money y' There's fue scorn in Roland's comment.
 T dunno. but he handed Lew five dollar bill to pay for the message
 Well if sam Graham's got any money he'd better hold on to it instead of buying sody water sirups. guess Blinky Lockwood n get after him when he finds it out. He owes Blinky a note at the bank. and it's coming due in day or two. and Biinky ain't going to renew, neither'
 sam seemed cheerful 'nough. Any how. 1t ain't my funeral"
 have now something to think about. indeed. and am more than half inclined to stroll up to Graham's and find out what has happened on my own account when the voices of Hi Mutt and Watty. the tailor, drift up to me. The cronies are coming down for their regular afternoon session on the post office benches function which takes place daily just as soon as the sun gets round behind the building so that the seats are shaded. And I pause. true to the ethics of journalism. it's my duty not to leave just yet
 Surprisingly enough. these two like wise are discussing Sam Graham. At least can deduce nothing else from Hirams first words. though their sub ject is for the moment nameless
 Yes. sir; he's the poorest man in this town"
 Yes" watty quavers-"yes. I guess he be-"
 And he's got no more business sense into him than God give goose"
 NO; guess he ain't."
 Why, look at the way things has run down at his store since Margaret died She kept things a-runnin' while she was alive"
 Yes; she was a fine woman. Marga- ret Bohun was"
 And. they ain't no doubt about it. sam had money into the bank when she died But ever sinst then it's been all en ant and na como in with him He keeps fussin' and fussin with them inventions of his. but no one ever heard tell of his gettin' anything out of 'em."
 And what'd he do with all the mon ey he mad when Margaret died?"
 Spent it. what he didn't lend and give away and lose indorsin' notes for hs friends and then havin' 10 pay 'em. And. speakIn' of notes. | heard Roland