Evening star., 1914-01-25
SUNDAY MAGAZINE FOR JANUARY IS. 1914


lots Of and most always We given away, crook that
an,-no preacher missionary, humanitarian: just
who struggln along in the only way he knew,
crooked if need be and without conscience but honest if
ii didn't cost the game Crook that was I'm better
than youyou probably tried out, and prob
ably never will be,-because I've helped few Of EN-
when help needed"
Strangely enough, Lester had feeling that he had
been petty and mean and he felt naccountable ad
miration stealing his mind for this whose past
confessedly devious
Burmah sighed rose, walked out the bar. brought
back another long gass Of light drink and read
usted his chair.
V/ELL?" questioned Lester as there had been but
a slight pause in the conversation.
Well WHAT" asked Burlnah without looking at him.
What eseo"
@Nothn', only this. You're young I'm old. I've
told you all this that you'll stop and think, whether
YOU want to not before you condemn man without
givin him chance I've told YOU SOS you Il think
it over and if it isn't heap better to have
of charity than pound Of self-rghteousness He got
up from his and stood in front Of Lester and shook
his finger at him.
"Look here! You don't like me! You were smart
enough to size me up. But liked You just the same
and do like YOU and am goin to tell you somethin |
started in this game Of Port Hatch to get what |
could and get away. got to know the Colonel and his
daughter, and the boys from Chattanooga, and Hub
bard, and | hungry-yes, Sir hungry-to have
them keep on likn' me. They all did. They believed
in mel They trusted me! Old Todd did too. And | II
YOU that We taken crooked cent from
any of en since the town started and if could do it
I'd give em every dollar I've got I'd give all I've got
and half the rest Of my life chucked into the pot if |
could undo all I've done, and be just what they
are-folks with clean lives behind EN-, folks that amt
ashamed Of anything they've ever done! That's where
| stand!"
He banged his clenched fist the table and stared
defiance at Lester, challenging him to doubt the
assertion. And Lester, looking him. believed it
strange and dazzling temptation came to him, over
powered him, and made him stand up before Bur1nah
and look squarely down into his eyes.
How far, he almost whispered, "how far would you
60 to prove this2'
"To the limit" the explosive response.
1What would you do if came to you and said, Mr.
Iones III show you that the Atlantic & Oriental Rail
way will come to Port Hatcho What would YOU do?
sav!'
For long time Burmah looked up at him, and then
said with hoarse earnestness "You make believe
that and I'll take every dollar We got in the banks and
buy back Port Hatch land on busted market, and buy
it back in the of Colonel Hatch and his daughter
You make me believe that, and III make them, and
Todd and everyone of the boys, all that have stuck
here bv the game, rich-rich, tell you
"But what of you, Burnah Jones?' Lester asked in
that same enthraled curious whisper that echoed
hollowly round the empty clubroom IN which they
stood.
Burmah turned from him with a short, harsh laugh.
He walked slowly the other side of the table, then
faced Lester with both hands outspread, palms upward
"What does that NATTER" he asked. "What am /?
Nothing! can go ahead on the plan laid out for my
self lust about three months ago. and what that is don't
matter to YOU. There all sorts of things like
me can dc can go back to New York and peddle gold
bricks if have to, until the pen furnishes me home.
| can go away anyhow, if Port Hatch can make good,
KNOWN that back here in this Of the world is
one little set of peoplegood people honest ones-who
believe in me- and love me- and would grieve if they
heard that had gone That alone Lester, would make
me richer than I've ever been! BY God it would!'