The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1912-10-04
,Jinnlie'S Infant Industry
BY CHARLES JOHNSON POST.
Magazine. ]

UTHLESS-o course ne
W. wuthless if he won't work
wv Now, Ma, there's no use in
WV +a1king-I don't intend to be
I'M fool father of rich mans
.on-at least not any more With
soL dpvterous movement the old mar
sonned his morning paper open and
neitb one blow of his palm smote il
Ar ar with the financial page upper
r n~ more Coffee he ordered over
his shoulder CURLY.
butler silent, scornful, automatic
moved through noisless grooves; and
4ror the other end of the breakfast
tah1a Ma kept on, needless of the OLD
mans dictum of f1nality.
~Vhv. Pa, l don't see how you can
cot so-you've got money enough for
all of us. Let the boy enjoy himself.
The old man grunted from out OF
his coffee cup, with his eyes sui
gined to the market reports before
him. Let him learn to make money
like | did, SOS he can take care OF il
when I'm gone-thatll be enjoyment
The ample form with its placid
curves rippled in a spiritless lndlg-
narion at the other end of the table
nIt amt fair, Pa" she urged peevish-
" Here he is just getting on with
real nice people and invited all around
house parties and such, and clubs
and all that-and now you're going
IN make him come down to your stuff
fv old office every day -
This was a gross libel on the old
mans headquarters whole floor
had been remodeled by a fancy archi-
feet in an ascending scale of opulence
that eliminated In an inner sanctu-
arv with futed columns, padded
floors and silk rugs-a place where
everything had been carved, woven,
nainted or designed to special order.
Il looked expensive, and thereby sat
isied the old mans only esthetic
sensibility.
Dispassionately he grunted as he
pushed the empty cup away. Jim, S
going to learn to work" he announc-
ed fatty. Tell him to come down
TO the office at five this afternoon. LIZ
he don't come, his allowance is cut
in half. Not before five o'clock,
though. I'm busy" He showed his
chair back from the table and jamm-
ed the paper in his pocket. Don't
forget to tell him about his allow
ance-he'n come"
His allowance-oh, Pa J" The
silk and lace morning gown futtered
in an agony of agitation. "Why, he
hasn't enough as it il, and | was just
going to askyou-wait minute, Pa
But with final snort over his
shoulder the old man had disappear
ed and from the distance came a
further series of puffings and grunt-
ings that marked his struggles with
his overcoat. He1plessly the flutter-
ing laces and silk settled back.
The thumb of destiny had been
turned down, and the doom Of regu-
lar and vulgar daily toll was about to
descend on the son Of the house.
Downtown, late that afternoon,
the old man sat alone in his carved
and padded sanctuary. Thirty stor-
les below, the haze of the evening was
already settling, softening the roof
tops of the distance and leaving in
delicate contrast the purple canons
of the interesting streets. Before him,
on Uttered desk with the area Of a
billiard table, four clocks bearing
enameled signs-London, New York,
Chicago, and San marked
the hours with mechanism as silent
as the passage of time itself.
A. the New York clock indicated a
quarter OF five he had dismissed brus-
quely the last conferee and then ap-
pdrently lost himself in staring idly
over the melloWing lights of the great
city. The smooth-shaven, heavy
jowls and the lean lips were as i'm
mobile as ever, yet at intervals the
old mans eyes travelled across the
little clock that was slowly counting
out the minutes of the New York day.
And one of the heavy-knuckled hands
covered with the loose, parchment
skin of old age abstractedly fondled
an unlighted cigar that would ordl-
narily have been half consumed by
this time.
A muf1ed buzzer sang at the side
OF the desk, and a second later a
faded little secretary appeared. Your
son is outside, Mr.. Gorem.''
Send him in" ordered the old man
CURLY. He swung around at the desk,
lighted the cigar briskly, and began
shutting among the scattered papers.
NPrompt-maybe he's got the goods
lie ought to haye-from me, anyhow.
Or maybe he wants the allowance =
he added grimly to himself. ION time
hey - He looked up as his son en-
tered the room. Ma told you what
l wanted you for ?"
The younger man nodded as he
nghted a cigarette. Said we needed
the money-I'm getting a big boy
noW-'time to go to work, put my
shoulder to the wheel, and all that
sort of thing" he answered flippantly
The old m; snOrted. We'll, made
up YOUR mind what business you want
TO go ito, hey % he asked.
Well, Dad, I've come down to talk
it over. But you know I've no taste
lor business-what need, anyway
the rest of us can use. Of course
ne went on seriously, eff we were
like most families and you needed
me, why, you know, Dad, Id pull
along in the yoke with you like all
possessed. But as it is, don't feel
mat I'm shirk."
You won't be a shirk, Jimmie
you've got my blood in ye-and it's
tlme to begin. I've got some pride q
FAMILY, and I made my own pile my
self-l've got the pride of wanting tc
see my son do what I've done, and
with better chance at the start than
! had-peddlin' tinware. Tn the next
place, there amt room in this coun-
Try Tor a man that won't work, wheth.
ef hes one of these rich hoboes OF
Just an ordinary poor one; and then