Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1911-05-26
Copyright. 1910. by WincheIl Smith
and Louis Joseph Vance

ner
CuriouSly enough in my understand
ing flor | own To no great faith il
Roland'S statements. taking them by
and larger his friend from New YORK.
put in an unheralded appearance il
Radville that same night on the even
Ing train The Bigpow House receiy
ed him to its tigurative bosom undo
the name of w II Eurn!lan lie -
for Roland promptly and treated III
to dinner al the hotel. sompthn.
which | have always regarded us IL
punishment several sizes too I;t!'.r foi
the crime Later. having displayed
him on the streets in witness Ia hi
good faith. Roland spent the evcain"
with Mr. Burnham. my>teriou>Iy con
fabulating behind closed doors in til,
hotel.
Duncan was at the station a few
days later experimenting the transpor
tation of the new stock. which had
come by the early local. Betty was
busy with her homework upstairs. and
oLig SIH 1iiI hNi'l NV Sla'l'
Sam wasn't in the best of spirits
His evergreen optimism seldom with.
cred. but in spite Of all that had nj.
ready been accomplished in behalf of
the store. in spite Of the roster aspect
of his declining fortunes and his con-
fidence in and affection for Duncan.
Sam was worried He had been over
to the bank once even ut that, early
hour, but RIinky Lockwood had driven
out Of town to see about forecloSing
one of his numerous mortgages In the
neighborhond. and his note which fell
due at the bank 'ha~ day. was still
weight upnr Sans mind
Roland and Rurnham found him
wandering rervouSly round the store.
alternately taking his hat down from
the peg. rs If minded to make ii second
trip to the bank and replacing it as be
realized that patience was his part.
"Why, hello. Roland" he cried cheer.
fully. hanging up his hat for perhaps
the twentieth time. And, How de
doc, sir?" he greeted the stranger.
Good morning. sir" said Burnham
pleasantly.
"Say, Sam" Roland blundered With
his usual adroitness. this gentle
man
Burnham's hand fell heavily on his
forearm.
whats that. Roland?" Sam turned
curiously to them.
"Oh, nothin': was-er-just goin
to say that this gentleman's my
friend from Moo York, Mr.. Burnham.
and we just happened to look in
THE friend you were going to write
to about my burner?" inquired Sam.
1t was here that Roland got a look
from Mr.. Burnham that withered him
completely.
"Why, no, Mr.. Graham" Burnham
interposed deftly. "Mr. Barnette must
have been talking Of some one else
he knew in New York. r.
Didn't know he knew more'n one
there" Sam observed mildly.
Burnham's glance jumped warily to
Sans face. but withdrew treasured,
having detected therein nothing but
the old mans kindly and simple ma
ture. "At all events" he continued,
~ don't remember hearing anything
about the matter twhat did you call 1t!
A burner, eh0 from Mr.. Barnette."
81 s'pose Roland forgot" Sam al
lowed. Hes so busy courtin' our
pretty girls, Mr.. Burnham"-
Eyes, that was it, Roland put IN
hastily, seeing his chance to mend
matters. 81 did intend to write you
about II. Mr.. Burnham. but it kind OF
slipped my mind. We've had lot OF
important business over to the BANK
recently"
"By the way, Roland, did you just
come from the bank? Is Mr.. LOCK
wood back yet?' =,
"No. | got off this morning. l don
think he is. Sam. Did you want 10
see him"
"Well. yes" Sam admitted. Il guess
you know aDOut luftl' ho
"Nean business, sometimes, asking
favors of these bankers. eh. MI era
hamY Burnham remarked.
Graham nodded dolefully. Yes II
is unpleasant" he admitted conhdlng'
". You see. there's note or mine
come due today, and I'm not able 10
take care of it or pay the interest just
now. But | guess it'll be all r1sht'
Mr.. Lockwood's kind, very kind"
I'm afraid you're little too sure
Sam" Roland contributed tactfully.
"When there's money due Lockwood
he wants it, and most times ne gets
1t or it's equivalent"
But" Burnham changed the SUB
iect adroitly, what was this-burner,
did you say-that Mr.. Barnette for
got to tell me about?"
"Oh, Just one of my inventions. sir.
I've spent most of my life at it, sir,
but somehow nothing has ever turned
out well-not so far, ! mean. But
mean to hit it yet"
That's the way to talk Burnham
cried heartily. Never give up, say!
But tell me about some of these in
ventions, won't you?"
"Welr'-Sam knitted his fingers and
pursed his lips rehectively-"l patent.
ed new type thrashing machine once
but couldn't get anybody to take hold
of it. You see, / haven't any money
Mr. Burnham"
"How would you like to talk it over
with me some time? I'm interested in
such things-as sort Of side issue"
"Will you?" Sans eaperness was