The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1914-04-16


to get at it, get it over with, before
bis energy had oozed away.
Hell be along" said Wallace.
lis It eleven, yet!'
Just"
! Out came Broadway's neck again.
He was even rather nervous. What
are we going to say to him when he
gets here?"
Remember that you promised to lei
me handle him." said Wallace warn.
ingly. "He thinks I'm your secretary"
The judge saw that they were wor'
ried. IF you boys want to talk things
over I'll skip along"
mo, stay here, judge" Broadway
urged. 1--WE may need lawyer"
The judges face glowed with his
satisfaction.
Were just waiting for Pembroke, :"
said Wallace.
Pembroke! Oh, yes; some Of the
men told me that he is in town.
/ What's he coming here for?"
ITO try TO give us a whole lot OF
money!" Wallace answered. "But we're
not going to take it," He grinned up
at Broadway. I'VE don't need it, do
WEI"
Jackson looked at him with mourn
full eyes, recollecting all the bills he
! had left behind in New York city
Don't make me laugh. didn't sleep
WE'LL
The Judge saw his young friends
increasing discomfort. you've made
the people of this town very happy to-
day, my boy. You ought to sleep we'll
after this. They owe you a great
debt"
Jackson passed the compliment, but
WINGED. please don't talk about debts!
Let's get on cheerful subject" With
a sickly effort to relieve his mind he
turned to Wallace. "How's the bar
ber?"
The judge seized this opportunity
to extol local genius. ,"Ain't he a
nice fellow, thought
YES" said Wallace dryly, "he cut
Taft's hair once"
Il shouldn't be surprise" the judge
assented heartily. Hes from Hart
ford"
His remarkable appreciation of the
dignity and glories of the little cities
was a continual Joy to the two friends,
who smiled across his nodding head at
one another.
Wallace looked around appreciative-
ly. THE old gentleman had pretty
nice offices here
YES" the judge agreed. He nod
ded toward the desk at which Broad
way had carelessly taken his position.
Seems strange not to see him sit
ting at that desk" He sighed. First,
old Oscar Jones sat there, and he
died; then John sat there, and he died;
then Andrew sat there, and he died;
now"
Broadway, who had listened to the
brief but tragical recital with expand
ing orbs, got up and, as he edged
away from the too fatal piece Of office
furniture, eyed it with suspicion and
distaste. That's the last time I'll sit
there he declared.
But Judge Spotswood had not seen
the byplay and did not hear the youths
resolve. He was launched on reminis.
cence. Every man in the plant loved
the old gentleman. They all feel
mighty bad. Just think-he was alive
Y hours ago, and now the whole
towns in mourning"
It was at this juncture that Higgins,
a new and happy Higgins, entered,
cap in hand, respectfully. He was
smiling genially Excuse me, Mr..
Jones, the men want to know if you
have any objection to their celebrat.
ing tonight"
He bowed respectfully to Josie, who
entered at that moment.
They're thinking of having torch.
light parade and fireworks in honor
of your taking up things at the works.
Is it all right?"
The Judge beamed happily. What
could be more significant of the new
day which had dawned on Jonesville
than this speech from Higgins, erst
while the dissatisfied, the complainer?
That's a bully ideal" he exclaimed
enthusiastically.
Wallace and Jackson looked at one
another in a pleased appreciation. 1t
was Josie who instinctively saw the
flaw which had escaped the horde Of
workmen in the shops and which now
escaped the four there in the Office.
why, judge!" said she, shocked and
scandalized.
whats the matter?"
But Josie would not even look at
him. In reproachful voice she turn
ed to Higgins. Tell the men to do
nothing of the kind" she said with
emphasis. Don't they realize what
has happened? How can they forget
so quickly?"
Now a light burst, even upon Hig
gins. "Oh, that's so, I'll have to re-
mind them of that"
Wallace was still puzzled, but Broad.
way was beginning to understand.