The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1914-04-24

Belmont. I challenge you to prove
that what you have accused us OF be-
ing about to do 10 really the intention
Of this company. Nothing. sir. 10 far
Their from It."
That's all been gone over" Wright
said. turning to the lawyer at the head
OF the table. There's nothing new
TO be said along that line. Was II for
this you sen for me. Judge Gilbert!"
mo. I asked you to come over here
to consider an offer for your paper. Is
the News for sale7"
THAT depends. For sale when ap-
piled to q newspaper may sometimes
have an ugly meaning"
"Of course" Gilbert was quick to
add, II mea as a newspaper prop
erty."
Pm a poor man, Judge Gilbert"
Wright began slowly. Il couldn't re-
fuse to consider an offer"
He got no further. for Kendall ex.
claimed:
That's what I thought"
"Wait a minute" Wright asked him,
lifting his hand in warning that he
had not finished. you interrupted me
before I was through. What I say is
this: l couldn't refuse to consider an
offer from a proper quarter"
What does the source matter to
your" Kendall inquired. You're hui
man. You want money as bad as any
Of u.s."
Before replying. Wright's gaze rest
ed for an instant on the door behind
which his hearts happiness waited.
Her words came to him, Strengthening
him to meet the tempter: Remember,
dear. In whatever you do, I'm with you.
May my love and my confidence sup
port you ever"
II may want money-need it-worse
than any Of you," he confessed. But
1t must come only one way-honcstly."
"Nothin' dishonest bout sellin' q pa
per. is there?" growled Kerr.
Il can't tell In this case until I
hear what Judge Gilbert's offer is"
Its simply this: I have some eli
ents who wish to purchase your pa
Per"
mr.. Kerr and Mr.. Kendall. I sup
pose."
Does 1t make any difference to
your"
1T may to Belmont"
Whats Belmont got to do with 1t p
asked Kerr.
"A newspaper can't change hands
like q stock of groceries," Wright re-
lorted impatiently.
You know l want to be open and
above board with you, Mr.. Wright"
soothed Gilbert. 80 I'll tell you that
Mr.. Kendall and Mr.. Kerr are inter
ested in this offer. l know the papers
mortgaged. What1l you sell for, the
purchasers to assume the mortgage
and all other debts, and possession
to be given this afternoon"
Wright merely looked at him and
shook his head. What he thought he
almost hated to say. 1t hurt him to
think that they could believe he would
even listen to such a proposition.
Then" continued Gilbert, another
basis on which to deal would give you
nominal control until after election,
but my clients would not expect the
paper to be 80 vehement in its denun-
Citations In the next few days."
Judge Gilbert" the editor replied
quietly, but with great earnestness,
that's an offer l don't thank you for.
These men haven't enough money to
buy my paper"
you bought the paper" snarled
Kerr in an ugly manner.
YES" came the answer right back
at him. but you want to buy my self
respect"
The two men glared ut each other,
but the boss did not deny the asser
ton. The elder man was beginning
to rage inwardly. So accustomed had
he become to the exercise OF auto-
cratic power In Belmont that he could
not reconcile himself to being thwart-
ed. especially when success was 90
| vital to him.
There's a good profit In 1t for you,"
vas the conciliatory remark Of Judge
Gilbert.
In dollars and cents, perhaps" ad-
mitted Wright, but there are some
things that have Z greater value than
nero money: peace OF mind, for in
stance, and tho deserved respect OF
the community. and honor. can't
sell out the people who are depending
on me. the people OF Belmont"
The men across the table looked 1t
him % II they thought him crasy.
They knew he had foolish ideas, but
they had not dreamed he would let
such an opportunity slip through his
fingers. He wa the owner OF . news
paper that ri losing money every
day. and they had % much a. asked
him to name his own figure for his
property. They could not understand
how honor was part Of the transaction
In the sale of . newspaper. even in the
last days Of q strong fight against the
organization. What should he care
about the respect OF the community
when he had money enough to take
him out Of that community and keep
him comfortable until he was ready
to get another paper somewhere else
to exploit his insane ideas OF civic
| righteousness?