The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1914-10-29
CHAPTER !.

Copyright by the Selig Polyscope Company
The Club of Five

WdcCuSu tuS cIl1ic pTOuuCIlOu Ol
"The Fifth Man" with the understand
ing that would write my Impressions
of this remarkable photoplay in the
form Of a novelette,. This very unusual
screen drama was written by James
Oliver CurwOOd. AS ! watched, day
by day, the work of the players and
the great task performed by the direc.
tor, l decided that here was a subject
worthy q an ADLER pen than mine.
Whether have done "The Fifth Man"
Justice in novelized form you who may
have seen the play, or who may view
the play after reading this, must be
the judge.
l will set forth the story as I saw it
unfolded before my eyes and just as
1t was unfolded before the perpetual
ing eye Of the camera. All I can do
is the best l can do. So permit ne
now to ehace my own identity and
become merely the story teller relat-
Ing the story of 'The Fifth Man"
Five men were seated around table
in a luxuriously furnished library.
These five men were engaged in sew
eral different professions in which
each had still to make his mark"
The library was in the house Of
Thomas Wynn, attorney -at-law Wynn
was one whose wealth did not in the
least mean any abatement of ambition
in his chosen profession. Wynn was
the host of the evening. His butler
now appeared with a tray containing
carafe of wine and five glasses. The
French clock on the mantel struck
midnight
The five men lifted their filled
glasses and Wynn saidt
Boys, 1t is midnight and our little
club is about to disband. For two
years we have met here every Satur-
day night to exchange thoughts on the
meaning of life and discuss the fight
that all must fight to attain success.
You, my four closest friends, are about
to leave the city of New York to go to
four different parts of the world to
perform professional tasks that may
Or may not crown you with the wreath
of laurel. Shall we now, boys, pledge
ourselves to meet again at a certain
specified time when each will relate
his experiences in his chosen field?-
and when each will set forth the rea-
cons for his success or the causes Of
his failure? What say you?"
All four of Wynn's guests agreed to
this proposition and each expressed
his opinion as to when and where thew
should meet
10 put into writing the consensus of
ideas relating to the meeting, Wynn
wrote the following:
1--WE, the undersigned, do solemnly
pledge ourselves, if we live, to meet
in the home of Thomas Wynn, New
York city, at nine o'clock in the eve
ming, exactly five years from this
date"
The first to sign this document was
Wynn himself. The second signature
was that of Doctor Saddler, the physi-
clan OF the party. The third to sign
YVES William Berry, who had special
ICED In railroad engineering. The
fourth signature read: Happy Gala
gher"-the signer being a civil engi-
neer. And then-then the pen was
.ihhOSu " tuc tlIIu Man.
The fifth man was easily the most
distinguished looking of the group.
he was tall and broad shouldered and
ne looked the picture of health. His
manner expressed ease and self-confi-
dence and reserve strength In short.
everything about this fifth man Cos
siDed of lofty character, good breed
lng' high ideals and a well-ordered
mind. And this fifth man signed his
name thus-John Gaunt.
The specified five years had passed.
The time was now few minutes be-
fore nine on the evening of the date
mentioned In the signed paper where
In the five men had agreed to meet.
In his library Thomas Wynn was
waiting anxiously for the arrival of his
TOUR friends. To him now came a
charming young woman-his wife.
i know what is to happen tonight.
dear" she said, "and I suppose you
will want to be alone with your
friends"
Eyes, sweetheart" Wynn replied.
'It would necessarily be stag party
at least until after we have swapped
our yarns covering our experiences in
the last five years."
A little girl toddled into the room
In her night clothes.
"Naughty!" cried the mother. "You
ran away from bed"
Il came to say another good-night
to my papa" the little one said.
And papa took her in his arms and
kissed her again and again.
"And now" the mother said, Ito bed.
you sleepyhead. Goodnight, dear"
she added, turning to Wynn. Good
night-fcr the present."
Don't wait up" Wynn said. "Per-
haps their stories will be so long that
we shall sit here till the wee, small
hours. If we have finished in a rea.
sonable time. however, will call you
to meet my four friends
"Four?" she said, inquiringly. "How
do you know there will be four? You
say there are two from whom you
have not heard for very long time"
Wynn sighed. well, it is one min
ute before nine now" he said "Anoth-
er minute will reveal whether there
shall be gathered here tonight three
men-or four-or all five. Again good