The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-08-17
WILEY ANDERSON. JR.
Editorial And Literary Departments

he cried, and swore as only a little
man can. And I've only had 1t two
weeks" he finished, bitterly
Silly had run away at the age of
eighteen and enlisted with company
just about to sail for the Islands. He
was the only son of Il wealthy widower.
1T whose death. not Il month back, he
had come into a fortune of $4,000. And
Guy Arthurs. n tall, dcbonnair captain,
without penny to his name save his
salary. and dozen years foreign SER
vice TO his credit cor discrcdiD. had
planned TO take IL from him. oh, yes,
he saw through their plans now. Ar
thurs, knowing his quick temper, had
fingered him that he might have some
thing on him.. and he had bribed a
man. one of whose rank he would not
notice otherwise, to come as witness
in case he. Wentworth, refused TO pay
up. But the little man was game. Il
won't give you cent? he said dog
Eedly, but Guy Arthurs had him tight
II his clutches and half an hour later
he tArthurs) returned TO his quarters
with u check for $500 in his pocket and
4 strip of sticking plasted on his chin
Beg pardon. sir. but Corporal Slane
would like to see you, sir. The man
.'aluted as he spoke. and Captain AR
'hurs frowned and looked distinctly
annoyed Tell him l cannot: but no
!ct him in, and you may stay until he
goes. Laporte."
Laportc wondered at this. but he
cbeyed orders and asked no questions.
Il can give you five minutes" said
entered.
May they be III private. sir?"
'Ye-cs. You may go, Luporte."
Siane rose AND shot the bolt behind
the retreating figure, and turning. look
eel full into the captains face.
Il want 5000 he said terselv. AR
thurs felt murderous sensation creep
ing over him.
idiot. dolt"' he Missed, why do YOU
come to me stating your wants? Am
NO. but YOU have $500 in your wal
let. and il YOU don't divide with me
quick, IN report YOU"
Report sneered the big man. You
repor; me- DO YOU really think they'd
take any notice of you, Slanc"
Yes, for | would so to Captain Hall
| As n witness that YOU tormcnted Went
worth into striking you and then black
| mail him. And. remember. did not
| take the brides you offered"
There was no way out of il, and
rising slowly, Arthurs handed him the
desired amount.
Thank you" said slanc, politely.
and salutug, he left
The big man sank back in his chair
and surveyed the remaining notes.
That's blackmal for you" he said TO
his reflection in the hand mirror on his
dressing table. and laughed mirthlessly.
Then he shaved and prepared for pa
rade
year the big man living off the little
one, and the corporal living OFF the big
man. The more Arthurs got. the more
Slane demanded of him. and the more
Slane demanded, that much more Ar
thurs cXtortcd grccd!ly from his victim.
Sometimes the little man thought he
would end IL all. Let Arthurs report
him If he wanted to; but again came
the mental vision OF a court-martial. n
dishonorable discharge and disgrace
and ridicule before his comrades And
he could not bear ridicule. IL was the
little mans weak point.
And so they bed him. They watched
his goinGs and his comings. followed
him, guarded HIM, logged ms root
steps until his very soul shrielied aloud
Tor mercy, and still the human ma
chimes kept at their work with hendish
malcvolencc. Money, money. money
was their cry They seized the interest
on IL the moment lie received it in his
hands. but ii was not enough. They
began on the principal, and the little
man in agony of spirit wept. Il wish
ia never seen IT," he repeated over and
over.
Al last the day came when the money
gave out, his coveted fortune was All
gone. And one sultry evening, when
the stars hung low and the air was
heavy with "A coming storm. he started
out with the remaining $4,000 in an
enormous roll of bills stuck in his
pocket 1t was all he had. but deep
in his heart he was glad and taking
roundabout way. he proceeded 10 make
merry with it
But fate had dccrced differently.
Under a broken shed on the corner of
an ill-lighted street, a tall figure loom
ed up out OF the darkness, and
I'm dead broke" came the soft, in
sinuating voice Of the big man. I'm
Gcad broke. Wentworth, and l need
little change"
(Tc be continually
Composed and illustrated by
HARRY r.. CHADWICK.
Care VIM. Chadwick. National Sol
| diers, Homo. unmntnn Va