The enterprise. [volume] (Harlem, Mont.) 1899-1926, 1913-11-20
The I)kU(1REl!ll.1l, Of
DAVID KERR a&e
BY Harry Nr5 1ootle /
Illustrations * *1y I1I7=~s -
BY A.c nc cLurc s. CO.. 1919

book to show man the plat OF an
addition and out would drop your
other handkerchief. l guess the mirror
in your room wasn't big enough to
hold handkerchief on your wash
day." He looked about the library,
absorbing it's quiet elegance. Things
mighty different now, amt they?'
Then l was struggling to get
start"
It seemed to be a monologue Kerr
was delivering His questions were
answered, but he made no sign that
he heard His remarks were delivered
at random, and he never took his gaze
from the fire, except the one time he
had looked about the room to note
the contrast of the present with the
time when Gilbert had first come to
Belmont.
Bout that time you wanted to git
married to mighty nice girl
"Yes, that was about the time was
elected prosecuting attorney
Exactly" then after a pause, and
you got married"
Gilbert could not understand the
drift of the conversation, but he rec
ognized that Kerr was reviewing the
past step by step.
Then l gave up my desk in your
office, and moved to the courthouse"
But you still came to see me.
Amos"
This was said as quietly as had
been his previous remarks. Taken
by itself 1t was a harmless utterance,
but in connection with what had gone
before it was of great significance.
Yes, Amos Gilbert, the rising young
prosecuting attorney, had gone to see
David Kerr after he had moved his Of
flee to the courthouse. The boss let
| that remark sink In we'll before he
asked.
after that how long was you on
the bench"
six years."
"Is that so! l hadn't an idee it
was that long What made you give
that up?"
Il had a family on my hands and
needed more money. l didn't run
again, you remember, because want
ed to be attorney for the new street
railway company"
Kerr seemed to be revolving some
thing in his mind, for it was some
time before he reminded Gilbert of
step in his rise which he had not
mentioned
II thought you was lawyer for one
1 hat fab n f0v
franchise"
well, we got the franchise"
That was what Kerr wanted tt
bring out.
Exactly. And you're still their law
yer"
yes"
And for the water company,
unused Kerr. And for the lectrt
light company. And you still come t.
see me, Amos
} why, yes. Mr.. Kerr, I'm not ur
J mindful Of"
Kerr seemed to throw on some G
the gloom In which he had appeare
to be wrapped as he interrupted tn
attorney.
i. This time, Amos, I've come to Sc
t you. It's the first time I've ever bee
e In this house."
n "Well-Mr. Kerr" stammere
t Gilbert.
The boss pulled himself together !
!. his chair, sat up straight and locke
at Gilbert.
y But you've got telephone" The
q he added in a gentler tone: That
s. all right, Amos. I've always unde
S stood" 1t seemed to be with an e
6 fort that he continued, "Im going
l. tell you some things that you know
n and some things that you don't know
il and some you've guessed. and SON
J. I've thought nobody'd ever have
s know. Bout the time you come he,
g l was married, and my wife died c
giving birth to a girl"
y Gloria"
Eyes, Gloria. l was just gittin' In
e, politics. Things might ave been d
d. ferent if my wife had lived. 1t didr
n seem long before there l was with
y. big girl on my handsome. Dav
III Kerr" The old feeling Of pow
surged through him as he added wi
or spirit, IF 1t had been boy"
ur This thought held him silent for
minute, and when he took up t
70 thread of his story again 1t was t
a old weary tone.
In "Well, it wasn't. There was wi
On q girl on my hands. Her mother did
have any relatives. Her father was
minister, same's my father was.
or didn't have anybody, either, co,
er send her to. ! kept her as long a!
as could, but by that time my house
even in the country-warn't fit plz
for a child--specially a girl. So
ir, sent her away to school and she al