Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-10-05
American Sunday Monthly Magazine Section
A Song of Sixpence
Continued from page 81


James Borden, Jr., was one of Gaines
ville's most prominent citizens. He had
inherited the store, as well as the hotel
from his father Colonel Borden, native
of New Jersey, who had recently passed
away in an unsuccessful attempt to con-
sumo a quart of whisky daily, while still
managing his extensive business affairs.
Colonel Borden was strong man, and could,
no doubt, have done either the one or the
other successfully, but the two together
overtaXed his strength.
His son, some thirty-eight, at this time,
was handsome man. well built and ruddy,
with the ruddiness of the steady but CON
sentative drinker. He belonged to several
fratcrnal orders, had twice been elected
Mayor and had also served on the Gov
ernor's staff. Gainesville looked up to him
as a man of means, substance and promi-
nence. Yet in spite of his wealth he led
a simple life His big red touring car
served only to convey him sedately from his
hotel to his bank, from his bank to his
! department store, from his department
store to the Hoosier Club, or back to his
handsome residence on Garfield Avenue.
He was unmarried and therefore much
sought after by all mothers having daugh-
tiers OF manageable age, but he persisted
in his celibacy, in spite of all the traps set
for his sharing.
Most of his fellow clubmen wondered at
Jim Bordcn's quiet mode of life. Those
few who were his intimates knew that in
the fast life of Chicago, or around Times
Square, New York, Jim Borden was noted
tor many things but quietness was not one
of them.
He made little trips to one or the other
| OF these cities almost monthly, ostensibly
4 fn ltt . h., aA, Il
town companies in which he was popularity
supposed to be interested. The general
run OF his fellow tOwnsmen believed Jim
Borden to be a prominent figure both in
Wall Street and on the Chicago Board of
Trade. Jim, however, did not ddbblc
/ in such prosaiC forms OF amusement He
went to New York, as he went to Chicago.
to hunt women. 1t was his favorte diver
sion, and he not only found a superior grade
/ in these great markets Of all human COM
modlties, but he was also able to indulge
in his pastime unobservcd by the vigilant
/ eye of Mrs. Grundy. His code of morality.
| like that of his class, knew only the sin of
being found out. The rules of business
constituted his creed. The President of
! the Wabash National Bank could not slap
the propreties in the face, at home, without
a corresponding loss of prestige and CON
sequentlN OF business. In New Ork II
was different. There, though the night
has a thousand eyes, it conveniently winks.
/ Taken by and large, James Borden, IT,
was a very respectable member of society.
/ He did not get drunk (at least, not in public
although there were stories of gay cham
payne parties whispered in more than one
musical comedy dressing room, he was
honest, (sinCe to be otherwise was not
Igood business, he paid his bills lit was
matter of pride with him, and not difficult
when one has the money he worked hard
when he worked, and played with equal
energy when he played, taking his fun where
he found it, and paying for it literally and
IJoyously. He boosted that no man or
woman could say that he had ever failed to
/ give them square deal
/ He passed close TO Emmy as she rose, and
looked her up and down with a critical eye,
then bowed and inquired if she had been
suited.
She knew him well She had heard him
deliver two Fourth of July orations, and
had once seen him leading a parade, in all
the glory of his uniform as a member of
the Governor staff. She smiled pleasantly,
and said she thought she would not buy
anything that day Mr. Borden was not
satisfied He glanced down At her worn
shoes which had painfully survived the
winter Here, Miss Atkinson" he called
sharply, To one OF the saleswomen, wait
on this lady"
" But We seen all | care to protested