Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-10-05
he has to say" heard Chairman Corrigan

conclude.
Throughout the hall echoed scattered,
dif6dent applause, as though the delegates
were at loss how TO receive me. L spoke
to Langstak, who placed me half standing,
half sitting, on the edge of the speakers
table. while he supported me from behind.
Orrin stepped to the front of the platform
Gentlemen, may | ask you all to come as
near as possible? Mr.. Craigs voice is very
weak, and as he has risked his life to talk
to YOU today naturally neither you nor he
want the effort to be wasted
Instantly, with almost funereal quiet, the
delegates moved forward, ranging closely
about the platform.
No record of that speech exists; but the
memory of the uncanny situation will never
be dim in nv mind. Most of the thoughts
I expressed were lost to me even as they
were uttered. | knew that | was saying
what | came to tell, because almost from
the first sentence | was listening to myself
talk, and approving the clarity OF my ideas
and expression. | seemed to be sitting back
at nv ease, while another self, uncontrolled
and perfectly informed, delivered the mes
sage for me.
After time the fever began to play its
old trick: the intent faces and riveted eyes
of my audience faded quickly away, leaving
me in darkness. Once my memory failed
me on some statistical point, and hesltated.
l heard someone move toward me. After
ward knew it was Corrigan, rendering me
a booklet containing the figures l needed.
l heard Langstak's heavy whisper as he
waved Corrigan back, "He can't see you.
He's blind now, and the chairman S amazed,
awestruck 1Mither av God!" as he backed
slowly away. A hum, deep and surcharged
with sympathy, ran through the hail..
realized the cause and grasped the psyche
70
aThat's all, Boys" said. 3I'm about all
in. I'm not asking you to help me, but
yourselves, just as I've played this game,
not for you, but myself. It's my monu.
ment, the best thing | have ever done, II
you let it stand
There wasn't sound as motioned Lang
stalk to put me back in the chair. Then
came Corrigan's voice, pitched low, recog-
nizing McDavitt.
McDavitt mounted the platform. AGen-
tlemen of the council he said, eve can act
on Mr.. Craig's matter only in executive ses-
sion, which will be convened Immediately.
Before he leaves l should like to propose a
vote thanking him for coming before us"
1t was instantly seconded by score OF
voices, and unanimously carried.
aid loike to shake hands wild him. called
out someone in the hall.
II think we should all like to- replied
McDavitt with a laugh. III It is the sense
of this council, will ask Chairman CORR
gan to shake hands with Mr.. Craig, as ex-
pressing Our admiration for game man"
The dramatic appeal is too strong in an
Irishman's warm heart to let chance like
that go by, and Corrigan was so instructed.
His great hand closed gently about mine.
3Don't worry about your monumint, was
all he said.
At six O'Clock, as lay among the cushions
of a coy inglenook in the sitting room of
Orrin's home, he burst in, his face beaming.
They've approved it, Mr.. Craig!' he
shouted. Unanimously, on the first ballot!
Acme goes through
TT was over! All the mental torture, physi-
cal pain, and ceaseless, nerve-raclung
suspense of the last six months had come
suddenly to an end. My name and my firm
were safe from impending disgrace, and my
Judgment justified in the commercial world,
where for months it had been branded the
wild vagary of stricken man. Swift as
the transition was, it brought no emotion of
surprise. Never for moment had | enter
tanned thought of failure. But the sense
of relief, the relaxing of worn, raw nerves, as
I lay quietly among the cushions in the
silent room, was rarely pleasant feeling to