New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-05-31

had TO 20 through the usual struggle with him and
come away with fiat and firm refusal. But we kent
at him new delegation went 10 him every day or 60
and coaxed and pleaded and sprung reasons On him.
and finally we imagined had wr1ng consent from
him He agreed TO tell the story. But what had har
pcned was that his little wife at home bad .f sp,l
Won nnust You owe it TO them; you owe II Do ff t.
YOU owe it to yourself Think how dull the affair ,T
be without you You ere always the life Of their ban.
quets. You have no right 70 hide your light under a
bushc7
Bill Hgqins knew well enough that what She meant
was that She was proud Of the fact that her Bin could
stand up among all the big men Of Rivcrbank and 10
what zone Of them could do, and that She wanted 20 iod
once more the glow Of pride that her treat when ne
asked him How did your story go tonight Biz, nd
received his answer So he gave in.
And so we got him for the banquet. Hc came, he
always did. in frock coat mile too big for him. v
black tie that persisted in standing pcrpcndc1arg Inc
stead Of horizontally, and soon as hc took h - %
the long table he began, usual, upsc'ing gp'. 4
water. splling SALT and being generally awkward He
was having his usual surplus Of misery.
The eating passed in the usual way, and Bar r, I'M
trodyccJ bv Ncddc Dicfcnbacher Boots AMI Shoes.
and chairman Of the banquet ripped the can rY If
heaven and set Iowa. the best and brightest star the
Union. there As Barker ripped the atmo-ph.- Bill
Higgins he always did-bccame calmcr and gan
10 get a grip on himself. Probably the appla lat
ALWAYS greeted the periods Of Barker ora'org and id
so now. made Bill Higgins feel that the audi 1.. Has
a friendly onc,-~warm house as the theatrical "a. pie
sav-and that, whatever happened, he would mot
fiat failure.
B,, the time Judge Winnerton was halfway th-.asl
Ozark was the field and the buges were silent. HI
Higgins was able TO speak cheerfuy 20 his next a.-
Dor and the lines Of care faded from his face Long E
fore the Rev Ferdinand Cottcr reached .hc word
for the uplifting Of our beloved city and for moral
and law with which he always terminated his Chan.
Der Of Commerce orations, Bill Higgins was like LID
eager dog in leash. He was Juggling at the strap. Like
the old warhorsc storyclcr that he was, he scented
battle and was eager 20 dash into it, The smile Of assure
ance that fingers on the lips Of the tried and succes
storytellcr was his
AND now, Gentlemen" said Ncddc Dicfcnbacher
when the applause following Reverend Cotcrs ad-
dress had subsidized, Il have unusual pleasure bee
fore me-"
That was Neddic's invariab. introduction And it
was an unusual pleasure for Neddie He enjoyed his
position of authority 10 the full Bill Higgins pushed
back his plate and brushed his napkin TO one side.
I'VE have with us tonight a man you Will all be glad
10 hear said Ncdlc.
Bill Higgins moved his chair back a few inches, and
took hurried sip from his goblet, and pulled down lis
vest He laid one hand on the table 20 assist himself IN
rising when Ncddie should mention his name.
Il take pleasure in introducing John p Wright, rep
rcscntavc Of Holns Long, of Chicago, who happened
20 be in town today and has consented TO speak 20 u.s.
Bill Higgins dropped back into his chair and John
p Wright smiling chcerfuy, rose He was dressed IN
evening cothcs-thc only man
present. except Banker Schultz,
.sxzzzazxzzs. that sportcl them. II, bowed mp
IH8 the table and down the table.
MIR. Chairman and Gentle
E.~S XII Ces.s se pare -