The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1914-06-06

"Why?"
There are good many reasons
For one thing, there's a sort Of racial
antipathy. Besides, when. we stole
Panama We made the Colombians SORE
and all Central America besides, for
they realized that once we Yankees
got foothold here we'd hang on and
not only: dominate this country, but
all the neighboring republics as we'll"
:: Il: had gathered something Of the
sort-but I had no idea there was so
much In 1t. But we don't want these
jungle countries" said Kirk.
THAT'S where you're wrong. BY and
by we'll need room to expand, and
when that time comes we'll move
south. Meanwhile our farsighted gov
ernment is smoothing the way, and
there's nobody better fitted for the pre-
hminary work than Mr.. Stephen Cort-
land Of Washington, D. O., husband
and clerk of the smartest woman in
the business Of chaperoning admins
trations. Hes the figurehead behind
which she works. She's rich woman,
she loves the game-her father was the
greatest diplomat of his time, you
know-and she married Cortlandt SO
she could play 1t. Any other man would
have served as we'll, though I've heard
that he showed promise before she
:blotted him out and absorbed him. But
now he's merely her power of attor-
ney." .
Anthony pursed his lips into a whis-
tie Of astonishment.
TITS been a good thing for him.
Runnels ran on, evidently warmed to
his subject; "She's made his reputa-
ton; he has money and position: For
my part, I'd rather remain: insignia
cant and have real wife" .
Don't they love each otherr j.
=. Nobody knows. She's carved out of
ice,- and@as for him, well, gratitude is
q good deal Ike rust-in time it de-
stroys the thing it clings to. 1 suppose
I'm talking too much, but others would
tell you the same things"
It was with quite different eye that
Kirk looked upon his host and hostess
that evening. To his genuine liking for
the latter was now added worshipfu]
admiration and boyish qualification
at her regard. which rather put her at
distance.
TITS all settled" said he. 'I'm 60
ing to work in a few days as train col
lector.''
"What?" Mrs. Cortlandt turned upon
him sharply. "Runnels didn't offer
you that sort of position?'' Her eyes
were dark with Indignation. Kirk
promptly came to the defense Of his
new friend.
mo. I asked for IT." 49, -
sf0h, I see. Well. he will do much
better by you than that"
II don't want anything better to
start with ~ 49,. + .>.- .
but, my dear boy, a collector is
merely conductor. he takes tickets .
"sure! 1 can do. that. I might fail
at something hard :. <.
mo, no, no! I'll see that you don't
fail. Don't you understands
II understand q lot more than / did,
Mrs. Cortlandt. That's why / don't
want to rob some chap of job he's
entitled to, and I sha'n't. There's a
collector quitting shortly
rs that really the reason, or. do you
think the work will be easier?"
Kirk stirred uncomfortably.r ooh,
I'm not trying to dodge anything" he
maintained. "On the contrary, the
most amazing thing has happened
something l can't quite understand.
IL really want to work. Funny, isn't
1T? didn't know people ever got that
way, but-I'd like to help build this
canal" 49,.
"But q conductor! why. you're a
gentleman Ii. ~ 80.
my dad was brakeman" -.
Don't be foolish. Runnels talks too
much. He'll offer you something bet.
ter than that" -. ..,, l..
But Kirk was obdurate. ''Id prefer
to start In a. confidential adviser to
the canal commission. of course, but
I'd be a frost. and my father would
say I told you So ] must make good
for his sake. seven if It's only counting
cars or, licking postage stamps. Be
sides, it isn't exactly the square thing
to take money for work that somebody
else does for you
:, Mrs Cortlandt laughed with q touch
Of annoyance.
Il think few weeks in cap and
buttons will cure you of this quixotic
sentiment. Meanwhile I must admit It
is refreshing" She stared unseeingly
at the street lights for moment. "But
see here, Kirk. don't the collectors live
III Colon = y. .s 555.5 Il.
81 don't know he replied, startled
and battered BY her irst use Of his
given name.
..1,ll leok Y W tesnQ Yeu. kasw