The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1914-10-01
men we're already at work on thi,
fresh aforv

men we're already at work on thi,
fresh story
Near tho corner OF the park Darrow
saw standing a policeman OF his varied
acquaintance. The scientist walked
up to this man. who was standing in
the typical vacant uncertainty, smiled
agreeably. clapped him on tie back,
and shook his hand.
Darrow slipped his notebook from
his pocket. and scribbled a few lines.
which he showed to the officer. The
latter read inwardly digested for a
moment. and smiled.
Keep your hair one." ran Darrow's
screed. This will pass in few min
utes, and 1t won't hurt you. anyway.
Don't look like all these other jubs."
He stood there companionably by
the patrolman. They looked about
them. All at once. with this touch OF
normal. unnfraid. human companion
ship. the weird terror OF the situation
fell away. Darrow and his compan-
ion we're seeing humanity disjointed
from its accustomed habit. as one
looks on a stage full OF men hypno-
tiled into belief OF an absurdity.
Where the blotting out of electricity
had been tragic. this. as soon as Its
utter harmlessness was realized. be-
came comic. All about through the
park men were meeting the situation
according to the limited ideas de-
veloped by a crustacean life OF abso-
Lutte dependence on the shell OF arti-
ficial environment A considerable
number OF all sorts had fallen on their
knees and were praying. One fat
mGn in evening dress. with a silk hat
ana a large diamond stud showing be
tween the lapels of a fur-llned coat
was particularly fervent. BY force oi
habit Darrow remarked on this indi
vidual
"I'll bet he hasn't been to church
since he was kid" he observed.
Tie policeman caught the direction
OF his look. however. and grinned with
understanding.
Some stood frozen to one spot. the,l
faces agonized. as a man would stand
still we're the earth likely to yawn
anywhere. Darrow would have liked
to reassure these. for their eyes as
pressed a frantic terror. One red.
faced individual with white side-whisk-
ers. looking exactly like the comic.
paper caricatures OF the trusts, had
evidently refused to accept any ar
bitrary dictates OF natural forces
Probably he had never accepted any
dictates OF any kind. He was goinl
from one taxicab to another. trying
TO command driver to take him some
where, talking vehemently and author
itatively, his face getting more ant
more purple with anger, The taxi
! cab drivers merely stared at him stu
pidly.
That old boys kept his nerve.
Darrow remarked. OF course maud
IDLY, to his companion. But he'll di'
OF aHoplexy II he doesn't watch out
Again the policeman caught the di
rection of Darrow's glance. and grin
ned in understanding. He reached hi
huge gloved hand for tho young mani
pencil and paper. on which he wrot'
the name of man high in railroad cir
cles. aud grinned again with eviden
relish.
At that moment an entirely self
possessed young man swung acros
the street He surveyed the two mel
sharply a moment. then approached
producing a sheaf OF yellow paper al
he did so.
Professor Darrow?" he wrote.
Darrow nodded
The young man pointed to himself
then to the Despatch Building.
"Cause?" he wrote. and waved hiI
hand.
Darrow shook his head.
"Dangerous?"
Darrow shook his head again.
The reporter was about to add an
other question. when Darrow reache,
for the paper. II was thrust eagerl.
into his hand Darrow consulted hi
watch.
IT." he wrote. you will walt her,
four minutes. I'll give you an inter
view"
The reporter read this. and nodded
You're on" he added to the writ
ten dialogue. Then he produced Gig
arctic. lighted It. and Joined the ethe
two men in their amused survey OF tn
publics performances.
During the four minutes that ensue,
Darrow examined the reporter specu
latiyely. Finally his eye lighted vi
with recollection.
ITO BE CONTINUED