The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1914-03-12
CHAPTER VII.

CHAP Elk VII.
Jonesville was in mourning. Broad.
ways departed uncle had inspired not
much affection; he had not beer one
to care to; but for many years, to the
workers in the factory, he had been a
sort of business deity-the semi-provi-
Dental head of the great enterprise
through which they gained their liveli-
hood.
The folk of Jonesville had neither
been sort of elemental necessity to
their peace of mind; they had, so to
speak, leaned with feeling of secur.
ity upon his stubbornness, knowing he
would never sell out to the gum trust;
if he did not sell out to the gum trust
the factory would operate; if the fac
tory kept running Jonesville would
con tinue to eat, drink, and, in its
crude, undevolped way, be merry. Now
that he was dead, feeling of uncer-
tainty spread a mild panic through the
little town.
The Judge was waiting for the two
men in the hotel corridor. His worry
over what the new owner Of the fac
tory might decide to do about the per-
fectly we'll known trust plans was
quite as keen as anyone's, but his dig
nifty forbade that he should make dis
play of it.
1t was something of a relief to him
when Broadway hurried to him from
| the hotel Office and held out his hand.
although the boys appearance was
shock to him. He remembered him as
Higgins mother had described him
! and as the dapper, boyish youth who
had aroused the wonder of the town
with patent-leather shoes and new
| dance steps. This pale, extremely
urban man, young still, naturally, with
face which told untoward tales Of
night experiences such as were not
written upon any face in Jonesville, no
matter what it's age, nonplussed and
confused him. He had expected nor
NAL changes; he saw metamorphosis.
Judge" said Wallace, who, although
stranger, was first to grasp his hand,
I'm glad to see you" There was
harassed look upon his face as if he
might have had difficult time with
Broadway on the train.
The judge took Broadway's hand.
| And this is little Jackson! Broad.
way, we used to call you. Well, I'm
glad to see you!"
|
was glad, and shook hands heartily, al.
though the sybarite in him already
was in strong revolt against the old
hotel.
IN 60 in and register, Broadway"
said Wallace. And I'll put you down
as Mr.. Jackson. No use in"
"Yes," said the judge approvingly,
1.-The town is all upset. There might
beer"
Il understand"
| IF it should get around that the old
mill would be sold to the trust"
The desk was near the door which
led into the fly-specked corridor and
the judge was listening as Wallace
made terms with the clerk.
"What'll you take now, Mr.. Wal
lace?" said the clerk, after careful
study of the signature upon the regis
ter. COR are you Mr.. Jackson?"
mo; Wallace. I'm Mr.. Jackson's
secretary. And we'd like two rooms
with"
'Two!" said the clerk, astonished.
That was such extravaganza as never
had before occurred in that hotel.
Eyes; two connecting rooms, with a
bath between, if possible"
The clerk gazed, open-mouthed.
We'll, now" he explained, Il don't
guess can do that. We got bath
room. Years ago a barber leased the
shop and had it put in next to it..
Thought he'd rent it out to strangers.
But he didn't. It's still there. but lord,
he's dead, and guess tn lead pipe has
been used som'ers else. Know it has,
in fact"
well"
Lead pipe, We know, is val'able"
els it? Well, do the best you can for
us. Telephones in the rooms. are
there?"
I'm the rooms? No. They's one
acrost the street at tn Hv'ry stable"
| Well, we'l have to make that do,
then. Can We get some dinner9"
! dinners overt two O'Clock. Sup