Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-03-21
Earl Derr Biqger5
Copyright. The Bobbe.M Merrill Company.
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VII Continued.


II got you," he said, land | got You
Who's made it from the beginning Q
time? The reformers, Doc. Yes, sir
Who was the first reformer? Tn
snake in the garden Of Eden. Thl
hermit guy probably has that affai
laid down at woman's doo". NO
much. Everything was running al
right around the garden, and then INK
shake came along. It's twenty tt
one shot he'd just finished series o.
articles on The Shame of Eden fol
a magazine. What dye mean" ne
says to the woman, by letting wei
enough alone? Things are all WRONG
here. The present administration Ii
running everything into the ground.
can tell you a few things that will
open your eyes. What's that? What
you don't know won't hurt you? The
old cry, he says, the old cry against
which progressives got to fight ne
says. wake up. You need change
here. Try this nice red apple, and
you'll see things the way / do Anal
the woman fell for it. You know
what happened"
IAN original point Of view," said
the dazed professor
Yes Doc" went on Mr.. .Cargan,
evidently On favorite topic. tits the
reformers that have caused all the
trouble, from that snake down. Things
are runnig smooth, folks all prosperous
and satisfied-then they come along
in their gum shoes and white neck.
ties. And they knock away at the
existing order until the public begins
to believe 'em and gives 'em chance
to run things What's the result?
The worlds in worse tangle than
ever before
"You feel deeply on the subject, Mr..
Cargan,' remarked Magee.
II ought to-" the mayor replied. 81
amt no writer, but If I was. I'd turn
out a book that would drive this whisk-
cred hermit's argument to the wall.
Woman-bah! The only way women
make trouble is by falling for the re-
form gag"
Mr.. Peters here interrupted with the
dessert, and through that course Mt.
Cargan elaborated on his theory. He
pointed out how, in many states, re-
form had interrupted the smooth flow
of life, set everything awhirl, and
cruelty sent "the boys" who, had al
ways been faithful out into the cold
world seeking the stranger, work.
While he talked, the eyes Of Lou Max
looked out at him from behind the In
congruous gold-rlmmed glasses. with
the devotion of the dog to its master
clearly written in them. Mr. Magee
had read many articles about this pic
turesque Cargan who had fought his
way with his fists to the position OF
practical dictator In the city of Reu-
ton. The story was seldom told with
out mention of his man Max-Lou
Max who kept the south end of Reuton
in line for the mayor, and in that low
Of dives and squalor
made Cargans name to conjure
with. Watching him now, Mr.. Magee
marveled at this cheap creatures evil
dent capa city for loyalty.
ut was the reformers got Ma
poleon,' the mayor finished. Yes,
they sent Napoleon to an island at the
end. And him without an equal since
the world began"
rs your-begging your pardon-is
your history just straight?' demur-
red Professor Bolton timidly.
as it," frowned Cargan. You can
bet 1t is. I know Napoleon from the
cradle to the grave. I amt an edu-
Gated man, Doc-1 can hire all the
educated men want for eighteen dol
lars a week-but I'm up on Bona
parte."
1T seems to me-" Miss Norton put
In. IT have heard-did | read it In a
paper?-that picture of Napoleon
hangs above your desk. They say
that you see in your own career,
similarity to his. May I asks 1t
true?"
mo. miss" replied Cargan. THAT'S
a Joking story some newspaper guy
wrote up. It amt got no more truth
in it than most newspaper yarns. No,
I amt no Napoleon. There's lots Of
differences between us-one in par
ticular.' He raised his voice, and
glared at the company around the
table. Zone in particular. The re-
formers got Napoleon at the end
"But the end is not yet" suggested
Mr.. Magee, smiling.
Mr.. Cargan gave him sudden and
interested look.
II amt worrying" he replied. And
don't you, young fellow"
Mr.. Magee responded that he was
not one to indulge in needless worry,
and a silence fell upon the group.
Peters entered with coffee, and was
engaged in pouring 1t when Mr. Bland
started up wildly from the table with
an expression of alarm on his face.
whats that?" he cried.
The others looked at him in wonder.
II heard steps upstairs" he de-
clared.
Nonsense" said Mr.. Cargan,
you're dreaming. This peace and
quiet has got to you. Bland"
without replying, Mr.. Bland rose
and ran up the stair. In his absence
the Hermit Of Baldpate spoke into
Magee's ear.
II amt one to complain" he said;
"livin' alone as much as do I've sort
of got out of the habit, having nobody
to complain to- But if folks keep COM
ing and coming to this hotel. I've got
to resign as cook Seems as though
every few minutes there's a new face
at the table, and it's vital matter to