The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1913-05-09

Il always show up when I'm want
cd. muttered Drumheld. entering az
the woman unlocked the door. Inside
was bare desk and an Office chair.
They've seized the books, but I've
got the papers in duplicate here" said
the woman with chuckle. and, turn
ing up the carpet she lifted board
in the floor and pulled out mass Of
documents.
20, we'll make them smart" she
said maliciously. 1--WE got one Of EN-
last night Drumfield!"
What" shouted Drumield.
The woman stared at him. II
thought our fellows would have told
you" she said "Slugged him with a
sandbag on Twenty-fifth street, they
said, and served him right. the prying
knave"
He was entirely at sea. If he was
Patterson, who was Drumfeld? And
where was Lucy? The thought of her
sent SILVER of apprehension through
him. He must have been conducting
some criminal business, then; the po-
lice were after him! He turned to
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a few minutes showed him the nature
of his occupation. He was conducting
a loan business, and he was the shark.
No doubt the police we're engaged on
one Of their periodical crusades
against such people
Into the half ream of documents
had been compressed the pitiful trag-
edies Of many lives. School teachers,
small clerks, city officials all were
in his net. He, Henry Patterson, sat
there like a spider and sucked the
blood out of those fellow-creatures
who had written down their obliga-
tons on these pages. There were legal
and illegal bonds and undertakings,
salary assignments; there was a spe-
cial fund for tracking down abscond-
ing debtors. Within an hour Drum
fields trained legal mind had shown
him the exact status of his enterprise
Mr.. Ebenezer Jones is outside, sir,
said the woman, putting her hard face
in at the door. She ran her fingers
over the documents and pulled one
out That's him." she said, snicker-
ing. Borrowed $50 three years ago;
has paid back $195 to date, and still
owes us $122.50. There's dollar fine
for being ten minutes late with the
last payment" She whispered: The
sucker will stand lot of blood-suck-
ing yet. l told him we might renew
the loan for consideration. Shall
show him in?"
Yes. and stay with us" said Drum
field, quickly. I'm not quite familiar
with the details of the business here"
The woman snickered again and
called the man inside. He, came In
humbly, hat in hand He was an old.
rheumatic, farmer-looking man. and
the moment he was within the door
he fell upon his knees at Drumield's
feet.
.For Gods sake. give me chance"
he pleaded. my wife died yesterday,
and I've got to keep her out of
pauper's grave. Let me renew, and
I'll work my fingers to the bone for
you"
That's how you all talk" said the
loan shark clerk, contemporary
II will go in!" shouted voice out
side. You shall not keep me back.
I'm going to see Mr. Patterson him
self II
The woman clerk swung around and
filled the doorway with her burly
body. Outside a young woman
pressed impotently against the closing
door.
"Let her come in" called Drumfield.
and, reluctantly. the clerk let her
pass.
Another Of them down-and-outs,"
she shrilled. s'Case No. Eat. School
teacher. Borrowed $40 to pay for her
sisters Illness. and owes us $125, and
says she's too poor to settle. Ugh!
I'd settle her"
Slowly John Drumfeld. drew out the
two papers. He tore them into frag-
ments and let the pieces flutter out
Of the open window.
ssYour debts are paid" he said to
the old man and the girl. And while
the woman stared in horror and
amazement he quickly ripped the rest
Of the documents to pieces THAT
ends this business" he said
Outside there came a hammer1ng at
the door. The woman turned quickly.
II thought you was mad" she whim-
pered Now know what you are.
you dog. You're one of the govern
ment men. oh. God! I've queered the
business Seventy-five thousand dol
lars gone up in the air!"
With a crash the outside door
yielded and two burly men came in at
rum, followed by an elderly gentle
man. They made straight for Drum
field.
Got you, Patterson" they chuckled.
Come along now. I guess he's
nervy fellow, to come here, with sew
en- indictments pending. eh?" He
snapped the handouts on Drumfeld's
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