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

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And that's why he's coming down
here IL TAX" !; look at you?" inquired
Tracey. Skirl,in" nimbly round the Ger
uer
CuriouSly enoG"h in my understand
iu@ fur | own 10 no great faith il,
l:olaHd'S statements. taking them by
and larger his trirnd from New lora
put in IN unheraid"d appearance H.
Ealvi!lr that SaHir uiGhI on the even
i'm train Tie Hi%"Iow House receiy
ed him 10 its ti@uratir" bosom und,'
the maine Of " II EH~nh%n aIr -
for Roland promptly and treated 4.
10 II dinner II the hotel, Sonrthli..
which have always regarded rs -
punishment Scvera! sizes too i.i:.r f.:
the crime Later. having d%5.ayrt
him on the streets in witness - biz
good faith. Roland spent the evening
with Mr. Burnham. mr>teriuu>iy con
fabuIating behind closed doors in I'll,
hotel
Duncan was at the station a few
days later experimenting the transpor
tatiun Of the new stock. which had
come by the early local. Betty was
busy with her houSework upstairs. and
only Old Sam kept The shop
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
tidence il aud affection for Duncan.
Sam was worried He had been over
to the bank once even 1T that early
hour. but EIinky lockwood had driven
out Of town to see about for"cloS!ng
one Of his numerous mortgages in the
neighborhnud and his note. which fell
due at the bank ia day. was still
weight upnr SANS mind
Roland and hurrham found him
wandering rervou>Iy round the store.
alternately taking his hat down from
the peg. - If minded to make Il second
trip to the bank and replacing ii as he
realized that patience WIS 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 Buruham
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 gotn'
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.
It was here that Roland got look
from Mr.. Burnham that withered him
completely.
"Why, no. Mr. Graham" Burnham
interposed deity. 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
al don't remember hearing anything
about the matter twhat did you call 1t!
A burner, eh9 from Mr.. Barnette."
az s'pose Roland forgot" Sam al
lowed He's SO busy courtin' our
pretty girls. Mr.. Eurnham''-
Yes, that was it." Roland put In
hastily. seeing his chance to mend
matters. 81 did intend to write you
about it. 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 YETI -,
mo: | got off this morning. l don't
think he is. Sam. Did you want 10
see him"
"Well. yes" Sam admitted. Il guess
Won know about that, Roland.
MEAN business, sometimes, asking
favors Of these bankers. ell, Mr.. Ora
bam%' Burnham remarked
Graham nodded dolefully. Yes, II
is UNPLEASANT" he admitted conhdlhs-
IL You see. there's note OF mine
come due today. and I'm not able 10
fake care of it or pay the interest just
now But | guess it'll be all right.
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 he gets
1t or its equivalent"
But" Burnham changed the sub
ject adroitly, what was this-burner,
did you say-that Mr.. Barnette for
got to tell me about:'
"Oh. lust 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, l 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:'
"Well'-Sam knitted his fingers and
pursed his lips retlectively-"l patent
ed a new type thrashing machine once,
=, i. 4
of it. You see, haven't any money,