The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1913-07-04

suit
81 must really ask your pardon, Mr..
Bivens, for my apparent intrusion. 1t
is only apparent l came with my
daughter. She sang tonight on your
program"
"Oh, / see, with the other hired
singers. Well, what do you want?"
"Only q few minutes of your time
on a matter of grave Importance"
II don't care to discuss business here
tonight, Woodman," Bivens broke in
abruptly. "Come to my Office"
81 have been there three or four
tines" the doctor went on hurriedly.
land wrote you twice. l felt sure that
my letters had not reached you. /
hoped for the chance of q moment to-
night to lay my case before you"
"All right, I'll give YOU fYe min
utes."
81 felt sure you had not seen my
letters"
"I'll ease your mind on that ques-
ton. l did ,see them both. You got
my answer?"
That's just 1t. 1 didn't. And
couldn't understand It"
"Oh, l see!" Bivens' mouth quivered
with the slightest sneer. Perhaps it
was lost In trarsitr
The sneer was lost on the doctor
He was too intent on his purpose
II know. 1t was a mistake. I see ii
now, and I'm perfectly willing to pay
hnf mis- NJ
half of your last proposition"
Bivens laughed cynically.
"This might be serious, Woodman, if
it wasn't funny. But you had as well
know once and for all that owe you
nothing. Your suit has been lost
Your appeal has been forfeited. My
answer is brief, but to the point-not
one cent My generosity is for my
friends-not my enemies"
But we are not enemies personally"
the doctor explained good naturedly.
II have put all bitterness out of my
heart and come tonight to ask that by
cones be bygones. You know that in
Gods great book of accounts you are
my debtor"
II owe you nothing"
In every accent of the financier's
voice the man before him felt the
deadly merciless hatred whose fires
had been smoldering for years.
The doctors voice was full of ten
derness when he replied at last:
My boy,"" he began quietiy-"for
you are still boy when you stand be-
side my gray hairs-men may fight one
another for a great principle without
being personal enemies We are men
still, with common hopes, fears, Ills,
griefs and joys. When was a soldier
| fought the southern army, shot and
shot to kill was fighting for q prin-
ciple. When the firing ceased l helped
the wounded men on the field as |
came to them"
His voice qutVered and broke for an
instant.
"You have won. You can afford to
be generous. That you can deny me
in this the hour of my desolation is
unthinkable, I'm not pleading for
myself. I can live on a rats allow
ance. I'm begging for my little girl.
need $1,000 Immediately to COM
plete her musical studies. Deep down
in your heart Of hearts you know that
the act would be one Of justice be-
tween man and man"
"As a charity, Woodman, might
give you the paltry $4,000 you ask"
''I'll take 1t as a charity" he cried
eagerly, take it with Joy and gratitude
and thank God for his salvation sent
in the hour Of my need
But in reality you demand Justice
of me? Come to the point, Woodman,
what Is in your mind when you say
that am your debtor?-
Simply that have always known
that your formula for that drink was
a prescription which I compounded
years ago and which you often filled
for me when I was busy. AS ply
sician I could not patent such thing
You had as much right to patent 1t as
any one else"
"In other words" Bivens interrupted
coldly. ''you inform me that you have
always known that stole from your
prescription counter the formula which
gave re. my first -fortES."