Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1913-05-31


got the papers in duplicate here" said
the woman with a chuckle. and, turn
ing up the carpet. she lifted a board
IN the floor and pulled out mass OF
documents
20, Wen make them smart" she
said maliciously. ave got one Of 'em
last night--DrumAeldi"
WHAT" shouted Drumheld.
The woman stared at him. II
thought our fellows would have told
YOU" she said. "Slugged him with a
sandbag on Twenty-hfth street. they
said, and served him right. the prying
knave."
He was entirely at sea. II he was
Patterson who was Drumheld? And
where was Lucy? The thought of her
sent SILVER Of apprehension through
him. He must have been conducting
some criminal business, then; the po-
lice we're after himl He turned to
the papers with feverish energy. Only
few minutes showed him the nature
of his occupation. He was conducting
loan business. and he was the shark.
No doubt the police were engaged on
one of their periodical crusades
against such people.
Into the half. ream of documents
had been compressed the pitiful trag-
edies of many lives. School teachers,
small clerks. city officials-all were
in his net. He, Henry Patterson, sat
there like a spider and sucked the
blood out of those fellow-creatures
who had written down their obliga-
lions on these pages. There were legal
and illegal bonds and undertakings,
salary assignments; there was a spe-
cial fund for tracking down abscond-
ing debtors. Within an hour Drum
fields trained legal mind had shown
him the exact status of his enterprise.
Mr.. Ebenezer Jones is outside, sir
said the woman, putting her hard face
in at the door. She ran her fingers
over the documents and pulled one
out. That's him." she said, smoker
ing. Borrowed $50 three years ago;
has paid back $195 to date, and still
owes us $122.5O There's a dollar fine
for being ten minutes late with the
last payment" She whispered: The
sucker will stand lot of blood-suck-
ing yet. | told him we might renew
the loan for a considerations Shall
show him in?"
Yes, and stay with u.s." said Drum
field, quickly. I'm not quite familiar
with the details OF the business here"
The woman snickered again and
called the man inside. He came In
humbly, hat in hand He was an old.
rheumatic, farmer-looking man. and
the moment he was within the door
he fell upon his knees at Drumfield's
feet.
FOR Gods sake, give me chance.
he pleaded my wife died yesterday.
and I've got to keep her out Of
paupers grave. Let me renew, and
I'll work my fingers to the bone for
you"
That's how you all talk" said the
loan shark clerk, contemporary.
81 will 20 I'M" shouted a voice out
side. You shall not keep me back
I'm going to see Mr.. Patterson him
self. /"
The woman clerk swung around and
filled the doorway with her burly
body. Outside young woman
pressed impotently against the closing
door.
Let her come I'M" called Drumfield,
and, reluctantly, the clerk let her
pass.
Another Of them down-and-outs,"
she shrilled. Case No. 247. School
teacher. Borrowed $40 to pay for her
sisters illness, and owes us 1928, and
says she's too poor to settle. Ugh!
I'd settle her"
Slowly John Drumfield drew out the
two papers. He tore them into frag-
ments and let the pieces flutter out
of the open window.
Your debts are paid" he said to
the old man and the girl. And while
the woman stared in horror and
aInazement he quickly ripped the rest
of the documents to pieces. That
ends this business" he said.
Outside there came a hammering at
the door. The woman turned quickly.
81 thought you was mad" she whim-
percd Nov | know what you are,
you dog. You're one Of the govern
ment men. oh. God! I've qneered the
business. Seventy-hye thousand dol
lars gone up in the air!"
With a crash the outside door
yielded and two burly men came in al
a run. followed by an elderly gentle
man. They made straight for Drum
field.
Got you. Patterson" they chuckled.
Come along now. guess he's a
nervy fellow, to come here. with sew
en- indictments pending. eh?" He
snapped the handouts on Drumfields
wristB.
Suddenly the elderly gentleman be-
hind them uttered cry.