Abilene weekly reflector., 1915-07-08
JOHN SMITHS THEORY
BY FRANK FILsoN.
1915. by w. O. Chapman


He felt pretty gloomy all the way
down TO his ONCE. He had begun TO
earn enough income the year before
as A lawyer in the little manufactur-
ing town, to justify him In claiming
Moilie, whom he had loved since he
entered college, as his wife. But the
struggle was hard one, and he mao
only just been able to keep his home
together.
Then, a month previously. the
Adamson company had invited several
of the town lawyers to apply for
salaried position as adviser. Inc
choice had really narrowed down TO
two: himself and Herbert Johnson.
And he knew in his heart that John
SON was slated for the position.
II mere learning had counted, ne
might have got It. But there were
other qualities. johnson was man
about.town, q frequenter OF the best
hotel, where he dined and met people
But, most important OF all, johnson
was acquiring reputation as q man
who took hard cases. The Adamson
corporation would undoubtedly prefer
a man who was willing to attempt 10
drive through the law, II 1t could De
done, to q lawyer who had his own
ridiculous scruples.
However" he said to Mollie' ! De-
ueve there is q good future for o law
yer whose honesty will be so generally
recognized that 1t will go far toward
winning him every case in which ne
appears" -.
And she had agreed. But that did
not help him toward the $4,000 posi-
ton with the Adamson corporation
And that income, in addition to mis-
other work, loomed larger and larger
as the days went by.
Then he was stunned to receive an
invitation to call upon the corpora
ton.
In his best suit. which johnson
would have scorned to wear, except
for gardening, perhaps. he made his
way to the big factory downtown and
was shown into the room OF the presl'
dent. George Adamson, fussy look
ing old gentleman. who bade him sIe
down and examined him with very
critical gaze.
But Mr.. Adamson thawed percepti-
bly when his visitor answered tine
searching questions that he put 70
him. There John Smith knew that ne
was on safe ground. His credentials
were certainly better than Johnson 8.
and Adamson acknowledged himselr
as highly pleased. ..n
NOW let US come to pracecai de.
tails" he said. For instance-an ola
inventor out in Dayton has a patent
that we are very anxious to secure IL
IA an improved method OF manu-
featuring gas furnaces, and II we
had It Il would cut the cost OF proouc'
tlon is per cent. The old man 10 q
crank and has an inflated value OF ms
property. He won't sell for less than
\ million, which would mean no extra
profit to us for three years. Moraiiy
we are justified in taking his patenl
and manufacturing according to its
specifications, for the good OF tnt
country. It is intolerable that one
know that he could not hope to nno
the money to sue. Anyway, the case
would run for years, and all the wnlie
we could be manufacturing. Ver'
well! But now, suppose he moved iol
an Injunction to prevent us manuiac
turing while the suit was pendins
How would you 80 about stopping IL!
"pay him his million dollars o.
ntop manufacturing" answered Smitl
quietly. u.,
Old Adamson glared at him. xo'
mean ?"-he beloved.
.srhat l would not be party to sucl
q case answered Smith. mo douD
Won can and men who would an
afraid I am not the man you nee0
Cood-day. dir" And Pc walked ont 0
the ONCE.
sYouri hear from I'D tomorrow" .
heard the iraae old man below are
hiun. nwe the threat passed over bi
heaA. An hOur later he was tealin
MoSlie ell about Il.
~Dear. you did. jusR right, sne SAY
But he saw tho tears which On
vainly tried TO conceal. and presentI
} she was weeping unTeseTvediy upO
hie knee.
! The next morning when he saw
. letter from the Adamscn people DesAO
hia plate he remembered the pre-
, dents threat. He laughed scornHal
az he opened II. What could the o
|. man do? II he threatened MIN
= would promptly bring suit for dan
: ages. or defamation Of character n
John Smith, did not intend to allO
b that old ruflan to ride roughshod or
J him.
He opened the envelope. Next m
ment he dropped the letter with . e.
|. "Mollie! He's offered me the 1oo'
Q ne cried in exultation. Then:
"But I can't take It, dear. wouidn
I. wortr for such people."