Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1915-02-18
wars west % Go esuOresrn. boz II

| leVity. He waR thars for q purpose
The pleasantriea would do for anothaa
time.
Mr.. Brand" be said. II fear that
you won't construe this visit al q cesss.
pliment. am not here to Inquire into
your business, past, present or future.
| come In behalf of O friend"
Brand aicked some ashes from his
cigar onto his plush carpet and In,
CURED:
Did he send year"
NO"
Then the advantage In mine" safd
the millionaire cooIly. Il am listen.
! ing"
You came over to Staten Island
some four weeks ago. You came on
business. Were you successful"
Brand folded his hands behind HE
head. He leaned back In his chair.
His brows contracted He laid bis
! cigar down on the desk He took 1t
! up. He looked out OF the window, He
| looked at Dick.
MY friend" he said. YOU had bet,
ter ask Reynolds"
| The reporter jumped to his feet
Leave Reynolds out OF It." he com.
manded. 1T took you q long while to
think OF that, and you know you don't
mean It. You know Bob Reynolds
wouldn't tell me anything that another
man had told him In confidence He
would hold 1t sacred eveR-even II II
came from you"
Brand dropped his mask; dropped It
| with a crash; a good crook Is never a
coward He went around his desk 81
most at run and pointed a finger an
inch from the reporters face.
Now you be NICE" he ordered in 10
uncertain tone. You're here for troa-
BILE and you'll get 1t. But If you want
to stay at all be nice. You heard me. 4"
Dick met his stare full-taced. But
he had erred. He knew 1t.
Il heard you" he said, land beg
your pardon-to the extent that re-
greet my pleasantries. But be OF the
level, Brand. It's just you and me;
not Reynolds. Don't pretend. II you
want to give me the passports. say the
word. But II you don't. let's talk IKE
men"
All right, then. don't think Rsy.
nolds told you q word But I think yea
know a lot. Damn me, II you report
ers would only turn your wits to some
good ends, how much better OF you'd
be and how much better OF the world
would be-"
The point OF view there" said Dick
with smile. 'Ts what constitutes gooe
ends. For my part would not include
In such traits the desire to take other
mems wives out Joy riding. We have
agreed to dispense with pleasaRcriaA
l speak OF facts"
Brand took 1t cooIly.
We'll, what them" he asked.
That's what I'm here to learn. }
know lot but | would hike tn learn
more"
Then guess your missions fUtils."
said the millionaire
Perhaps. But l haven't run dry.
Tennessee Coal and Iron dropsssi o
few points today"
1T sure did" Brand acqusescae. ~1
can swear to that"
"A lot Of poor fools lost their
money"
Il shouldn't be surprised They zmu-
ally do"
But you didn't"
Why. my boy, you fatter me- Esst
frankly | 7nt nS
Brand left his desk again. This tine
he walked slowly to the reporters
side
But what the devil are you drtvips
att" he asked with face pr rnding.
Are you here With threats? % yea
think l am afraid OF you or your
kindT' He snapped his fingers in the
reporters face. That" he taunted
That"
The blood mounted to Dicks chsskA
but his endurance was not all spent
DO I look at all threateningy" b
asked. Have l said anything that
sounded like thrests?"
No" said Brand with q sheer. bat
you are still without an overcoat"
A fist shot out. 1t landed vita q
thud, Some two hundred pounds of
very precious flesh and bone lay
stretched upon the floor The reporter
glanced quickly about him. There was
stationary washstand In a corner
He stepped to it. soaked a towel In
the running water and laid 1t over the
millionaire's face and head. It did the
work. Brands eyes rolled and opened
Assured OF returned consciousness,
Dick stopped again and raised bic vic
tim to sitting posture.
Shall I stay or go?'' he asked.
You'd better 60" Brand answered
feebly.
No hard teeltngs?"
None at all; only"-and hers spoke
the lighting man-'T've got quite a
punch of my own and might Be-
tempted to use t."
An right" the reporter answered
only remember. though you worship
the golden calf. to take eogntxanes4
also. Of the golden rule. BE nice"
Left alone. Brand rubbed the point
Of his chin and got to his feet Hi
walked over 70 the Glasa to lnRp~ct
the damage.