The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1913-07-17

- flock and to die. leaving his
wife. a shy. plain little woman. and
her son. to struggle With the problem
of existence. She must have strnG
gled effectively. for New Chelsea bears
witness that never was recourse had
to its ready charity. Some credit must
be given to the son who, when public
schooldays were over, bent himself t"
the problem; moon faced lad who
blinked uncomprehendingly at the
teasing and pranks of his former
schoolmates. Slow, patient. unobtrn
sive. Of the sort that despite snndry
time honored maxims usually finds
recognition reluctant. he yet won It
quickly.
When those Of his generation whose
college education returned on the
threshold Of manhood to begin life,
they found Warren Blake already, in
the eyes OF his neighbors. success.
assistant cashier Of the bank and own
er Of certain small mortgages, hut not
mt all boastful over it. He continued.
even when he became cashier, modest
ly unaware that he had become a
model young man. He was literal
man who took all things seriously. his
duty to his bank. his treasnrership OF
the Presbyterian church. He was
rarely known to laugh.
| After thirty-five years acquaintance
| New Chelsea had found no explanation
Of him. 1t was admitted that ever
Judge Dunmeade, who had a liking
for sonorous phrases, had failed Will
his triumph of the commonplace vir
tues" And it continued to choose
Warren Blake as treasurer for those
organizations requiring such an officer
executor of it's last wills and tesla
ments and trustee Of its estates, o.
which trusts he always rendered
prompt and exact accounts
And now. all New Chelsea knew, il,
and Stephen Hampden were organic
ing a company of fabulous capitaIiza
ton to work the coal fields.
One morning in mid July Warre1
was as usual at his desk. The da
had already become hot and sitting
The clerks at the counter grumble
profancly at the rule, promulgated b
Warren. that forbade them to arpea
caatless. and glanced envously throug
the plate glass partition ut tie cashier
very handsome and cool looking in hi
: light gray suit. socks and necktie t
match. He was reading. with a slo,
care that overlooked no syllable. th
papers on the desk When lie had rea
them he arranged them In two neat II
tie piles. which he labeled 'Option
Granted" and "Opions Refused"
= AZ this task was completed Stephe
Hampden entered the bank. with
pleasant nod in reply to the clerks r
spectful greeting He made his wa
into the cashiers Office.
"Thew!" he whistled, drawing
chair up to the desk. Its hot da
isn't it? Have you the options?''
Warren pushed the two piles of doc
ments toward him. At one Hampde
al merely glanced; the other, 'Optiol
IL Refused" he opened and read rapidly
n Hmm! All Deer township prope
g. ties Why won't they sign|
: They want cash. not stock. for the
COAL
RI Did you point out to them the pro
IN pective value of the stock and the Il
" ccssity of being all in one company
e prevent price cutting and the opport
n: nifty to improve the community
10 opening up new business:''
a II did. Rut we're not trying to il
20 lrove the community: we're trying
so make money for ourselves"
!. I'm afraid Warren. you were t
y. wrong man to send after those G
10 tons.''
N Il was" said Warren calmly.
le told you 40 Mt hrst. I'm not clev
O. talker."
Mt Il don't want to tie up any more ca
III in this than have to- How would
.~ work to send John Dunmeade aft
se those options? We could make him
I'd ;orney for us and the company a
H. give him stock. What do you think
si. Warren took several minutes to q
IN slider this suggestion. He can do II
lis any one can" he said ut last. tie
he very popular among the farmers
ed erybody likes him. | like him, t
is though he is always laughing ut me-
"Eh: Why does he laugh mt yo'
TO HaMpden inquired.
Il don't KNOW" answered War