The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-01-19
WICKED OLD Man
BY ROGER JACOB DUNN.

Tho wickedcst old man in town sat
at his desk in a room on the fortieth
story Of a skyscraper. He was finger
ing a letter which he had just re
ceived; after a while he rose and went
to a card index catalogue.
"Randall-Randall," he muttcred,
and began examining the records I'M
der that name.
He seemed perplexed, for he could
not remember where the Randalls |
came from, if he had ever known. /
Somewhere out West, he fancied. He |
| was still examining the catalogue |
when the boy brought in card, and
he resumed his chair just in time to
be able to rise and welcome girl
who entered nervously and with evi.
dent signs CT agi;a ION.
sit down, Miss Randall" said the
wickedest old man in town. Offering
her chair.
But she refused to be seated, and.
opening her re,icule, took out letter
and a CLIPPING and flung them angrily
upon the Gesk
II ~cce''a Our hllchmailing
scheme" she cried well, do you
; think you can DO what you threaten
and get away with it?'
Madam | h.,ve been getting away
with ii for Gftecn years answered
tho wicket, 1t mal in town.
The girl col,apsed into the chair
and burst into tears. The wickedest
man in town seemed really concerned
) ab2Nt her. -,
Nov, nov. control yourself" he
said aoothia ,ly. This is a simple
: business proposition | edit paper
devoted to news CT the socially elite.
| have received very Interesting in.
formation about yorr family which
n would make good reading Before
= printing it Submitted copy OF 1t
:, to you--a proof. We call it--askinS
you whether you wish it to appear,
:, and, il not, whether you would care to
call here to discuss the matter. Well?'
But as the girl only stared at him
in helpless aversion. the wickedest
man in town proceeded to read the
- article slowly, with due enunciation
Of every word
'e 1.-The Randall-Robinson wedding
which takes place on the day follow
:. ing the return of the bridegroom from
>, England, next month
~ Yves, you coward" interrupted the
;" girl. IL Mr.. Robinson were here you
=, would not dare to print that. he
;" would thrash you within an inch Of
your life"
Madam" said the wickedest mar
- in town. II have been thrashed within
= an inch Of my life at least once
3, year since l became an editor
10 thrive on It."
And he continued to read:
!, xviii excite great interest, on &C
count of the interesting past OF tn
!. Randalls Coming 'front.' left
:, blank there for you to fill in he cor
:, tinued.
How much do you want to kee
,a that out of your paper?" demande
Miss Juanita.
flush. my child" answered tn
- wickedest man in town. You adm
-, its truth, them"
ed flexibly.
Il have some other interests b
.s sides editing my paper pursued IN
80 wickedest old man in town though
fully. Il have good deal Of mimi
W stock"
. How many shares do you want N
va to buy?" inquired the girl.
But it is not for sale. Howeve
on if you are really thinking Of buyir
mn. mining stock | can put you In tout
for with a good friend Of mine who hi
some for sale, l believe. l will al
,r,. him to call on you tonight. Howeve
AIN, Miss Juanita, it would be better for
to be entirely frank with each othe
NJ, Since gather that you are averse
har having that item inserted, it shall
hat be inserted. / always try to plea
rid my friends. But now, tell me, vine
her do you come from?"
Il won't tell you"
your mothers maiden name, thel
urged the wickedest old man In TOW
az. what are you going to do with tt
,,rit information"
, "a Keep 1t, my dear, for hundr
,he years longer than live. Come. be
ON. frank with me as you would be W
and your lawyer Who are your people
o,b. "My mother was Miss Rogers
Iifa Austin" answered the girl
I'M. The wicxedes; old man in to
we bowed. and, walking to tie catalos
With took out the Randall card. He show
rer. it to the girl, and then tore 1t Il
pain tiny pieces. which he let futter thros
! to his fingers into the wastepaper :
and ket.
Good day. Miss Randall said