The Detroit times., 1912-10-15
CHAPTER xI.
Centinuea.

can not argue with you, Henri
eta" repeated the general.
Money" said Bartlett, "is all they
want They always fne all motorists
for breaking speed laws. II becomes
sort OF habit with them"
This amt breaking the speed
laws" warned the watermelon. This
IL housebreaking"
Sir" demanded the general. do
you accuse me, me, Of house-break'
ipgr"
The whole damn family" said the
watermelon bruskly. He wanted TO
slip away quietly. whether the men
at the gate were waiting for him
alone or for all Of them, having q
tramp's dislike for anything that
smacked of a possibility OF falling
into hands OF the law. This Ii some
different from speed-breaking." he
added gloomily.
"This 10 preposterous." cried the
general. That I, I, should be arrest
sd! Why, I refuse to be. No one
has right to arrest me-"
IF you break into another persons
house, father" began Henrietta.
But, Henrietta, ! am not house
breaker. I deny the charge
I'VE all are" said Henrietta. THAT
10 all can see TO It."
Money" began Bartlett again.
the refrain Of his life. He felt he
could not be arrested and hailed be-
fore a magistrate, even such an hum.
BILE one as a country justice OF the
peace. His whole scheme be ruined.
Bachelor would probably want to re-
4 turn TO the city as soon an he could
bail himself out, and not care to have
anything more to do with motor trips
run on similar lines.
NO" snapped the general, I'VE
will have no graft"
Graft" sputtered Bartlett. Who
suggested graft? A wise manipula,
: tion OF the financial end OF difhculty
will more often save you than not.
There Is no graft In paying for
nights lodging"
Under the present circumstances,
paying for q nights lodging IL graft,
declared the general.
''It's graft. then. or prison" snapped
Bartlett.
Prison said the general heroic
ally.
Prison is foolish" said Billy.
when one has a motor-car and can
get away"
Besides" said Bartlett, graft Is
not dishonest for the man who gives
the bribe.'
1T amt" agreed the Watermelon.
III tho man has money enough to
give publicly to some college or In
stitution.
Henrietta drew on her gloves. Il
think you are all cynics." said she,
Graft Is dishonest
Why" asked Bartlett, turning to
her. Why, Henrietta?"
Because" said Henrietta firmly.
The only dishonor is playing on
another mans weakness, using that
for your own ends. II know a man
las a price, am I dishonest TO take
advantage Of the knowledge? No
certainly not. The dishonor Is In him
who has q price, whose dirty little
soul cares 40 much for money that
he lets his manhood go at SO much In
dollars and cents, like merchandise.
"Ah," cried Henrietta with quick
sympathy for the tempted. Poverty
IS so terrible and money such temp
tation. II doesn't seem to be hghtins
fair to take advantage OF it,
Father used TO say that II would
take the constitution OF an ostrich,
the empty head OF a fool and the
nerves of q prize-hghter to stand pow
erty." said the watermelon. thinking
Of those days when there were eight
children and no money.
Il think" said Billy, as one pro-
pounding a wholly original sugges-
tion, that we should go at once"
IF we have done wrong" said the
general, we should suffer for II. We
should not attempt to evade the con-
sequences OF our acts"
There was a heavy step on the
porch without The general turned
pale. Bartlett reached for his pocket
book and Billy leaned weakly against
the knobby end of the haircloth sofa
Only Henrietta and the Watermelon
we're quite calm. the latter with the
calmness Of desperation, the former,
OF despair.