New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-01-25

"\othin' only this You're young I'm I'D. I've
told YOU al this that you'll stop and think whether
YOU want 20 not, before YOU condemn without
gvin him a chance I've told II 20 you SOS you'll think
II over and see II isn't heap better 10 have an ounce
OF charity than q pound of sclf-rghtcousncss He got
mp from his and stood in front Of Lester and shook
his finger at him.
Look here. You don't like me, You were smart
enough 10 size me upl But liked you just the same
and DO ike YOU, and am goin 90 tell YOU somethin
started in on this game of Port Hatch TO get what
could and get away. got TO know the Colonel and his
laughter and the boys from Chattanooga, and Hub
bard and ! was hungry-yes, Sir hungry-to have
them keep on likin' me. They al did. They believed
in mel They trusted me, Old Todd did too. And III
swear to YOU that I've never taken crooked cent from
any of EN- since the town started, and if could do 1t
Ia give cm every dollar I've got III give all I've got
and half the rest Of my lie chucsed into the pot
could undo all I've ever done and be just what they
arc-iolis with clean lives behind EN-, folks that amt
ashamed Of anything they've ever done That's where
] standl"
He banged his cenched fist on the table and stared
defiance III Lester as if challenging him To- doubt the
assertion. And Lester looking at him. believed it. \
strange and dazzling temptation came to him, over
powered him, and made him stand up before Burrnah
and look squarely down into his eyes.
How far, he almost whispered, show far would YOU
90 TO prove this;"
"To the limit" came the explosive response.
What would YOU do if ! came % You and said, Mr.
Toncs I'll show YOU that the Atlantic * Oriental Rail
way will come to Port Hatch; What would YOU do3
-avi"
For long time Burmah looked up at him, and then
said with hoarse earncstncss. You make believe
that and III take every dollar I've got in the banks and
buy back Port Hatch land a busted market and buy
it back in the names Of Colonel Hatch and his daughter
You make me believe that, and III make them, and
Todd. and everyone Of the boys all that have stuck
here by the game, rich-rich, tell YOU"
But what Of YOU Burmah Jones'" Lester asked in
that same enthrallcd, curious whisper that echoed
hollowv round the EMPTY clubroom in which they
stood.
Burmah turned from him with q short harsh laugh.
He walked slowly 20 the other side Of the table then
faced Lester with both hands ouspread palms upward.
@Wbat does that natter" he asked. What am !;
Nothing, can 60 ahead the plan laid out for my
self lust about three months ago, and what that is don't
matter 10 YOU. There al sorts of things man like
me can d. can 20 back TO New York and peddle gold
bricks if have TO- until the pen furnishes me home
can go away, anyhow if Port Hatch can make good,
KNOWN that back out here in this corner Of the world IS
one little set Of people-good people, honest ones-who
believe in me- and love me, and would greve II they
heard that had gone That alone, Lester would make
me richer than I've ever beeni BY God, it would
ESTER. came to the table and leaned over on his
II knucllcs. and bent his head beneath the old
vrought-iron lamp and thrust his jaw forward looking
the emphatic, Napoleonic little fat man straight IN the
~Do YOU know why the railway didn't come here''
he asked cutting his words of with distinct precision
Burmah eyes opened wider, as if with curiosity and
he said 40. DO YOU If YOU do tell me.
Because on that board Of directors were three men
that YOU had practically svinded out Of thousands Of
dollars years ago because when the poor old Colonel
harassed by their demands said he wanted to consult
YOU and mentioned your name they swore they would
have nothing ~ DO with vow O anything with Whch