The Caldwell watchman. (Columbia, La.) 1885-1946, 1913-01-31

air was full of flying machines. Bah!
It's pretty difficult to impress the aV-
erage mind with something new. why
shouldn't we cater to the poetic, the
romantic side of man? We've con-
Germs for everything else. The fact
is, mediocrity is always standing be.
hind the corner with brickbats for
the initiative. Believe me or not, Mr..
Jones, but this company exists. The
proof is that you have the rug and |
have the scars"
But in these prosaic times!" muir
INJURED George, still skeptical.
"Prosaic times." shifted Ryanne.
There's one of your brickbats. They
swung it at the head of the first print
er. Prosaic times! My friend, this
| is the most romantic and bewildering
age humanity has yet seen. There's
more romance and adventure going
| about on wheels and steel-bottoms
than ever there was in the days of
Drake and the Spanish galleons
There's an adventure lurking round the
| nearest corner-romance, too. What
this organization does is to direct you;
after that you have to shift for your.
self. But, like first-rate physical In
structor. they never map out more
than man can do. They gave me
the rug. Your bones, on such a quest
would have been bleaching upon the
banks of the Tigris."
What the deuce is this company
called?" George was enjoying the con
versation immensely.
J THE United Romance and Adven
ture company, Ltd. of London. Paris
and New York"
Have you any of the company's
paper with your" George repressed
his laughter because Ryanne's face
was serious enough.
Unfortunately, no. But II you will
give me your bankers address I'll be
pleased to forward you the prospec
tus."
"Knauth, Nachod and Kuhne.
am shortly leaving for home. Better
send 1t to New York. | say, suppose
a chap buys an adventure that is moi
up to the mark; can be return IT u
exchange it for another?"
mo. It's all chance, you know
The rules of the game are steel
bound. We find you an adventure
It's up to you to make good
But, once more suppose chap get'
a little too rough game, and doesn'
turn up for his dividends; what them
I'm that event." answered Ryannt
sadly, 'the stock reverts to the gen
eral fund"
George lay back In his chair and le
60 his laughter you are might!
good company, Mr.. Ryanne."
well, we'll; we'll say nothing more
about it. But moment gone 20,
spoke as If you were game for an ex
plot"
81 still am. But If l knew the ad
venture was prearranged, as you say
and l was up against a wall, Their
would be the inclination to cable tn
firm for more instructions"
Ryanne himself laughed this time
That's a good idea. l don't believ,
the company ever thought of such
contingency. But repeat, our bust
ness is to give you the kickoff. Afte
that you have to fight for your owl
downs"
"The stock isn't listed?" agail
laughing.
Scarcely. One man tells another
as l tell you, and so on"
"You send me the prospectus. In
rather curious to have look at It..
II certainly shall do So" replies
Ryanne, with gravity unassumed
"Ah! Here come Mrs. Chedsoye an
her daughter. If you don't mind, II
make myself scarce. do not car
to see them just now, after your ha,
ing told them about the stole
Yhiordes."
I'm sorry" said George. risin
eagerly.
Its all in the game" calamity.
4 George saw him gracefully, me-
neuver his way round the crush t
ward the stairs leading to the bal
Really, he would like to know NOR
about this amiable free-lance. AS tn
old fellows used to say, he littl
dreamed that destiny. one of thos
things from Pandora's box, was pr
pairing a deeper and more intimat
acquaintance.
"And what has been amusing yo1
! Mr.. Jones?" asked Mrs. Chedsoye.
/ saw you laughing"
81 was talking with the rug cha
| He's a droll fellow. He said that
/ had met you somewhere, but col
} cluded not to renew the Acquaintance
r since | told him that his adventure
l part was known to you"
"That is foolish. rather enje
J meeting men of his stamp. Don't 70
;. Fortune?"
1 Sometimes" with a dry lit
, smile. II believe we have met hi1
= mother. There was something
miliar about his head. OF course, v
t saw him only from a distance"
D 81 do not think there Is any re
q harm In him." said George. "Wh
made mo lauph was n ain 0,,lar nrNn