Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-11-07
more" Smith said.

more" Smith said
Maybe | have--and still not know
why there should be all this fuss about
his 'Eroatncss.' What did he ever do?"
He wrotc--a littlc." Taylor said. In
the same tone.
And suppose he did write-little or
much--whnt did it amount to? Whit
did he have to say that was worth the
Ink he took to write il with?" He
giared at the scornful young faces.
1T was all words. words. words.-
pretty words. l grant you!"
Why waste time on this ridiculous
old crank? They fell again to dis
cussing ways and means of finding ma
terial for that lifo of Creckmorc which
the world wanted. And still the talk
wandered OFF into paeans Of praise.
The measure of ones enthusiasm for
Creckmorc. tacitly they held. was al
most the measure OF ones mind.
Inc old man came forward to the
outer edge OF the group. listening with
his head thrust forward.
"Humph." he said.
Aside from n disdainful turning OF
their shoulders. nobody noticed him.
1T is sad to think what the world
lost in the cutting short of his career"
the one who would be his biogra phcr
said
Lose? What did it lose?"
Taylor turned impaticntly.
Look here. old man. you don't know
what you are talking about"
II knew him. young gentleman which
is more than you did"
Here was q find
Knew him! You knew him.
Yes. | knew your mighty genius"
Inc tone was unpleasant enough.
malcvolcnt even: but one could not
take the absurdity of the old fellow
seriously.
You don't consider him one. It
seems Smith said, with tolerant con-
tempt.
The old man raised his voice
81 consider him an ovcrratcd Young
fool"
Little short of blasphemy it sounded.
but they were too contcmptuous for
heat
You'll get put out. old man, If you
don't mind" Cox warned him. half
kindly That's not the way to speak
of CrcckmOre here"
Dick. in fact. was swelling porten-
tously. He looked toward where tho
old man had left his rusty hat as If
inclined to thrust 1t upon him.
HE was u fool--a windy young fool
l tell you, drunk with his own power
of words. There was nothing he could
not turn into words. Nothing! Moth
ing! Words sweet enough to craze you
with their sweetness"
curious spasm was on the old mans
race; but the young arc mcrciless.
And still you want to run him
down" Smith said. Maybe you tried to
turn things into words"
The old man showed n sudden haugh-
tiness.
Il hadn't any need to try-in those
days"
His face worked, his hands clcnched.
Try. 1t took no trying. Trying has
nothing to do with it! A man may try
his heart out. and not do 1.-THE very
man who has done 1t without trying
when he was an empty-hcaded young
One Of those who used to be Jealous
Of him-and was yet. His status was
easily determined
"A clear case OF the green-eyed"
Robinson said to Cox. rich, Isn't 1t?
to think of this old codger's being |
jealous of Creckmore"
lie had not meant to be overheard |
but he was. Extraordinarily, the ran !
dom shot told.
Jealousy. You dare to call 1t jeal- |
Ousy-"
He drew himself trembling up. His
lips twitched.
"I-leave him in the hands of his !
friends"
How the old cuss does hate him." !
Taylor said. Hello. he's left his hat" I
Ponderously, Dick plunged after him I
with IT. Suddenly he stopped, staring /
foolishly. With a shaking hand he ,
held it out.
Look" he gurgled I
1t was Cox who looked.
"What is the matter?" they asked I