The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1914-02-27
UheDkUGHrERo of
DAVID KERR 4
1y Harry kir5 1ootle
Illustrations y 1y lhl1=es %

-Manye q tune I've opened that
book to show . man the plat OF an
addition and ont would drop your
other handkerchief. / guess the mirror
In your wasn't big enough to
hold . handkerchief On your wash
day" He looked about the library,
absorbing its quiet elegance. Things
mighty different now, amt they?"
Then ! was struggling to get a
start"
1t seemed to be . m~onologue Kerr
was delivering. His questions were
answered. but he made no sign that
he heard His remarks were delivered
at random. and he never took his gaxe
from the fire, except the one time he
had looked about the room to note
the contrast Of the present with the
time when Gilbert had first come to
Belmont.
Bout that time you wanted to git
married to . mighty nice girl"
Yes, that vas about the time l vas
elected prosecuting attorney"
Exactly" then after Q pause. and
you got married"
Gilbert could not understand the
drift Of the conversation, but he rec.
ognized that Kerr was reviewing the
past step By step.
Then ! gave up my desk in your
Office. and moved to the courthouse
But you still came to see me
Amos
This was said As quietly as had
been his previous remarks. Taken
by itself it was . harmless utterance,
but in connection with what had gone
before 1t wae Of great significance
Yes. Amos Gilbert. the rising young
prosecuting attorney. had gone to see
David Kerr after he had moved his Of
flee to the courthouse. The boss lie,
that remark sink In well before he
asked.
After that how long was you or
the bench."
Six years"
is that so! ! hadn't an idee !,
was that long What made you give
that up?"
Il had a family on my hands and
needed more money. l didn't run
again. you remember, because l want
ed to be attorney for the new street
railway company"
Kerr seemed to be revolving some
thing In his mind. for 1t was some
time before he reminded Gilbert Of 4
step in his rise which he had moi
mentioned.
Il thought you was lawyer for one
Of them crowds that was fghtin' fol
. franchise"
Well, We got the franchise"
That was what Kerr wanted Il
bring out.
Exactly. And you're still their law
yer"
Yes"
And for the water company,
unused Kerr. And for the lectri'
light company. And you still come t,
e me, Amos"
Why. yes. Mr.. Kerr. I'm not IN
mindful Of"
Kerr seemed to throw OF some o
the gloom in which he had appeared
to be wrapped as he interrupted tn
attorney.
This time, Amos, I've come to sc,
you. It's the first time I've ever beef
In this house"
"We!l-Mr. Kerr-I-- stammere.
Gilbert.
The boss pulled himself together II
his chair. sat up straight and looket
at Gilbert.
But you've got . telephone" Their
he &dded In = gentler tone: That
AL right. Amos. I've always under
stood" It seemed to be with IN Ell
fort that ho continued. I'm going Il
ten you sohe things that you know
AID some things that you don't know
and some you've guessed. and soms
I've thought nobody'd ever have t.
know. Bout the time you come her,
| ri married. and my wife died OF
giving birth to , girl.
Gloria"
Yes. Gloria l was Just gitttn' int
politics. Things might ave been dif
ferent II my wife had lived. Il didn'
seem long before there l was With
big girl on my hAnds-me, Davi(
Kerr" The old feeling Of power
surged through him - he added witt
spirit, II Il had been ! boy!"
This thought held him silent for .
minute. and when he took up III.
thread Of his story again 1t was TIL
| old weary to0e.
We'll. It wasn't There l vas viii
. Girl o. NY hands. Her mother didn'
have any relatives. Her father was
minister. mmo's my father va.
didn't have anybody. either, I eouls
sead her .. ! hspt her q long .
could. but by hat dine ny house.
sven In the c0antFy-w1gnt . At Daool
Tor ! child-spectally . Girl. 80
s0nt her away 70 school and she ain
: been hack atnoa. | reckon Belmoot'l