Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1914-12-25
CHAPTER VI.


John Brand was the incarnation OF
twentieth century prosperity: scrupu-
lously. almost imposingly clean: Inn
maculately groomed. Physically he
would have passed muster anywhere.
He was only thirty-five years old. yet
he had the bulk that suggested not
alone avoirdupois, but substantially
and maturity of mind. His keen gray
eyes, the firm. decisive lines of his
face, the poise and calm assuredness
of movement. bespoke strength: abso-
lutte control of self and mastery of
others. Inherent shrewdness was
yelled behind q mask of genial good
fellowship and frankness Of speech.
He was the type that any man con-
Quoting great enterprises would have
welcomed as a colleague and feared as
rival. John Brand spelled success
He had sought 1t, encompassed 1t and
corralled 1t. The doctrine of the sur
vival Of the fittest, he held sacred. 1t
was his casus beln and his Bible.
He apotheosized himself and his kind
and actually believed the world was
better on for the breed. Modern
methods of manipulation and chican-
cry he looked upon, not as an impedi-
ment. but as an accelerating spur to
progress. Failure was the only sin
he knew.
He looked quizzically now at the
cheap cigar his host had given him
and then around at the modest fur
nishings Of the room.
you haven't been very prosperous
since you left school?" he asked. II
had the idea that you had money up
there"
Bob's cheeks burned. It seemed to
him that Brands address was not only
businesslike, but unnecessarily blunt.
But he answered coolly enough:
mo. you see, an old aunt of mine
took care Of my education. About the
time I graduated she died. I've been
working pretty hard trying to get
along the best I could. I've married
and bought this little home. but it's
hard to keep 1t up"
The millionaire's answer to this
statement was brutality sententious.
Guess you can't be much Of busi-
ness man." he said. AT least, buying
this kind of a house the way you
have isn't good business. / heard q
fellow say one time that every INSTALL
ment you pay on your home or furni-
ture is, like putting a nail in the coffin
Of your hope. and l guess he wasn't
far wrong. Not bad, chr
mo, not for millionaires; not for
those who have got the price. but it's
flippant foolery for those who haven't
it. know that am paying more for
this place than it's worth and that I'm
helping some capitalist to put the
screws down tighter But it's the eys-
tenn that's wrong, Brand, not me. / |
want a piece Of the earth to which l |
Am entitled. l want to feel that there |
Is something under my feet besides
The pavement that your stock watered
cement company built. Your cement |
will crumble up and blow away, but |
his half-acre of ground will be here |
'or me and for my children. Why.
my man who is worth anything in our
social order of things has this longing
or the soil. Everyone knows it; you
NOW it. That's why you bought stock
n the Utopian Land company. We're
trimmed. OF course we are. We pipe
md you sing, but how are we going
% help IT."
The millionaire laughed. I've heard
hat BEFORE" he answered. Seems to
ne your friend Meade has made a
convert. But wait"-he held up his
land to stop Reynolds reply. you
Isked me how you can help 1t. I'm
'oing to tell you. You recollect that
'ou were a pretty good friend of mine
t school. Worked your heart and soul
nut trying TO get me on the varsity
light and the eleven.
Yes, and you didn't make them"
There's that wonderful memory
gain. But, never mind. One good
urn deserves another and I'm here
or that purpose. am a business
nan and I handle things from that
To BE coNTINUED)