The Detroit times., 1913-06-18

4..ol 4 tAe conditions hiCh le seemed
To think were largely responsible for
their present situation: he was see
ing deeper than the mere surface or
things.
The war was a mistake, Steve;
patriotism and sentiment aside. IL
was a big mistake. It's knocked half
the country into cooked hat. The
south is dead. and In my opinion We
won't live long enough TO see IL come
to life. II II had been just left alone,
II would have been mighty interesting
to have seen how II would have set
tied the Niger question. And what's
been the result to the nation at
large: we've lost over half u million
OF men-young men who'd pushed
out into the west here. and made this
country a wonder.
We wouldn't be waiting for popula-
ton II they'd lived. But II wasn't TO
be! The country's filling up with all
sorts OF riffraff from Europe, class
that never used to come: not the good
English and Scotch and Irish. who
came because they wanted elbow
room; but greasy serfs. who amt
caring a damn for anything but wages.
tell you In 20 years all American
viii be a curiosity. And TO think the
way they were wasted, just thrown
at each other by the thousands, in the
greatest and cruelest war OF modern
times"
But Stephen could not sit there gos-
siping with Gibbs while Grant City
sank into the prairie. or its shabbily
built houses collapsed about his ears;
he must do something. yet what was
he TO do? Gibbs came to his rescue
with suggestion.
II been thinking OF your luck,
Steve" he said one day with kindly
concern. II can hold up this building
quite while by myself just by lean
ing against it, reckon II will be
about hundred years before anybody
sells a lot again In Grant City, and you
can't wait on that, OH the chance that
you will be the lucky fellow
IF could co." cried stephen. with
savage earnestness.
But you can't, Now look here, the
farmers have had a pretty good sea-
son; you can always sell farmer i'm
proved machinery, and I understand
you can secure an agency without any
capital to speak Of
Why don't you try something Of
the sort?" asked Landray.
Gibbs shook his head.
I'm too old a man, Steve, to knock
about the countryth way I'd have to:
besides, I'm getting ready to start up
In business"
start up in WHAT" cried Stephen.
I'm small way in the Ticker busi-
ness said the general with dignity.
you mean a saloOn?''
The general averted his eyes
well. yes--it will have to be retail
i suppose you might almost call IL
4 ga loon" he admitted reluctantly.
I'VE are coming down between u.s.
general" said Landray with a scorn-
full laugh.
Not at all. Steve, not at all. I've
never claimed more than that | was
up to the occasion. and Youtsey's quit
here; fact is. before he left made a
dicker for what was left Of his stock.
His going makes an opening for a
commercial enterprise OF this sort
" ID small way, of course"
Very small, l should say"
mo, Steve. you must own there are
few people left; not many. but a
few; and they are not going to be
airy less thirsty In the future than
they have been In the past I'm not
counting on riches, but merely enough
TO tide me over until | see an open
ing Maybe the venture might justify
a partnership: IL you think It will, I'm
ready To whack up concluded Gibbs
generously.
Excuse me. general" said the
young man haughtily, but we'll re-
serve that until the last He saw that
Gibbs was hurt by his words and man.
ner, and fastened TO add. Il think your
first suggestion was the best, do you
know where | should write?"
There are all sorts Of catalogues
In the office. I'd write to half dozen
different firms. | merely suggested
this as a temporary make-shift; you
might add insurance and lightning
rods"
Well stop with the farm nipple
ments, more than that would only be
funny; and I'm in desperate need"
(Oontlnsa0,1
An Illinois inventor has brought out