The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1913-03-13


From every shadow he saw Mans face
looking into his. He was not superstf-
tious. This impression he knew was
simply a picture burned into his tired
brain by days and nights of intense
longing. 1t was the ghost of Mans
face-old, white pulselesS. terrible in
its beauty. but dead.
He paused in the lower hall and
watched for moment scene between
father and daughter through the open
door of the library.
Harriet had just bounded into the
room and stood beside the Doctors
chair with an arm around his neck and
the other hand gently smoothing his
soft gray hair. She was grooming over
his tired figure with the quaintest little
mother touches.
you look so worn out, papa, dear.
What have you been doing?'
Something very foolish, I'm afraid,
baby-I've just refused a fortune that
might have been yours some day
"Why did you refuse it,"
Because didn't believe it was
clean and honest
"Then shouldn't want it. I'd rather
be poor
The big hands drew the golden head
closer still aud pressed kiss on the
young forehead.
MY husband will love me. won't
he2 shall not mind if I'm poor" she
went on laughing rs Stuart entered
the room.
"See, boy. bows she's growing. this
little baby of mine" the doctor ex-
claimed, wheeling her about for Stu
arts inspection. run now. grille. and
go to bed l want to talk to jim"
well, my boy said the doctor
when she had left. 1--WE just done Il
thing which l know was inevitable
but now that's it's done I'm afraid
may have made tragic mistake. Tel
me if it's so, There may be time te
retract.'
"Bivens has threatened to ruin your
business?"
ION the other hand he has just offer
ed to buy it at my own price"
"And you refused?''
ITO sell at any price. but it's not toe
late to change my mind. l can cal
him back now and apologize for my
rudeness. Tell me, should do it
Your eyes are young, boy; your soul il
fresh from Gods heart. I'm just a lit
tie lonely and afraid tonight SEE
things for me-sit down a moment
There are several reasons why yot
couldn't have more sympathetic
listener tonight, doctor-go on"
Grant all their Claims" he begal
impatiently. "for the trust-its econo
my, its efficiency. its power, its sue
cess-this Is free country. isn't it?"
Theoretically"
well. when l hint at such a thing
to your modern organizing friend tina
these enormous profits for the few
must be paid out of the poverty of thu
many-against whom the strong ant
cunning are thus combining-a simpl,
answer is always ready, Business Il
business which translated is the ole
cry that the first murderer shrieket
into the face Of his questioner, Am
my brothers keeper l saw murde
in those black bead eyes Of Bivens
tonight. Do you think he would hest
tate to close factory to increase
dividend II he knew that act wouit
result In the death of it's employees
from weakness and hunger? Not 70
minute. He hesitates only at viola
ton of the letter Of the criminal CODE
But II you sell your business t
these men and retire will you necessa
rily share in their wrongdoing"
"In n very real and tragic sense, yes
I'm coward. l. give up the fight
I've been both a soldier and mel
chant. Why should not trade have 1t
heroes as well as war? Why shouldn'
l be just as ready to die as merchan
for my people as l was on the field o
battlef l am just passing through thi
world once. There are some things
simply must do as I pass. They can
wait, and the thing that has begun t
strangle me is this modern craze 70
money, money, money. at all hazards
| by fair or foul means. must fight i,
I must. Good food, decent clothes,
home, pure air, great love-these ar
all any human being needs. No hu
| man being should have less. I will no
strike down my fellow man to get NOR
| for myself while one human being o.
this earth wants as much
You'll never know" Stuart said
with deep emotion, "how much l ow
to you In my own life. You have a
ways been an inspiration to me-"
The patient gray eyes smiled.
I'm glad to hear that tonight, m
boy, for, strange as it may seem t
you, I've been whistling to keep up m
courage. I've a sickening forebodin
Of failure. But, after all, can a ma
fail who is right7'
II don't believe it." was the rfngin
answer which leaped to stuarts lips
| I've had to face a crisis like this re
Gently. l was beginning to hesitat
| and think Of compromise. You'v
helped me-"
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS