New-York tribune., 1915-03-07

state are on the scales and politicians brcathcssy
watching the balance. Go in and tell Mr.. Norwood
that dinner is waiting, and that it is my wish that Mr..
Willard dine with Their conference can be con-
tinucd later"
MRS. NORWOOD gracious hostess. and the
i'i slight embarrassment that Willard had shown at
his introduction to the First Lady Of the State dsap
pcarcd before her kindly cordiaity.
Dinner over and the little party had gone into
small room that adjoncd the dining room. The Cover
nor sat before the open fire, cigar in his mouth He
looking at the blazing logs with mcditativc.
ing eyes. His secretary wandering impatcny
about the Willard, standing beside his hostess.
was examining a case of books.
There is a fine collection in the large library" said
Mrs. Norwood. This little room is our family sitting
room and the books here personal possessions
Willard had drawn a book from the and
turning the leaves. "Ccvcr Illustrations he began.
Then he gave exclamation. "Grandon Edwards
He read the written the ylcaf He raised his
eyes to Mrs. Norwood's, almost boyish smile Of
pleasure on his strong young face "You knew Grandon
Elwards?"
The Governor Strengthened in his chair, and his keen
eyes turned toward Willard. The secretary took
quick step forward.
Yes knew Grandon Edwards. The word, were
slow and tense. Mary Nowood's hands were clcnchcd
al her sides.
Wizards eyes were on the written name "Grandon
had To him ! owed heavy debt Of gratitude And
yet he saw me only once, and probably rcmcm-
bcrcd my name.
The Governor leaned over the arm Of his chair. his
ewes fixed on Wlards face. The secretary took step
nearer the Governors wife Mary Norwoods face was
white and rigid. The only sound in the room the
cracking of the logs in the fireplace.
In what wav-vas hc-vour fricnd?" The words
came abruptly from the pald lips OF the Governors
wife.
Willard was turning the leaves Of the book with lin
gcrng carcssng fingers "Ihc first time saw Grandon
Edwards he said, "was twenty years ago, when
q college boy Of eighteen. He that a member
of Congress- president OF great bank, and one OF the
most prominent and influential men in the Western
State in which he lived. He gave address to the
students Of the college the boys ideals and the mans
ambitions. He brought to the experiences Of the
successful man who had worked his way from poverty
and obscuritv 10 wealth and high station, and had
carried with him his hard journey the ideals OF his
bovhool. Il was not the stcrcotypcd speech Of the
famous man 10 the struggling youths that Grandon
Edwards gave those college boys II was the life story
Of the man who understood work. failure temptation,
disappointment di,'Ilusion, and hcartachc-cvcry step
Of the way toward power and honor
Blu, the greatest thing he told that every man
must in his youth formulate set Of ideals and these he
must carry with him through life; that no consideration
Of personal aggranlizcncn must weigh for moment
AGAINST these ideals and that by them only should he
realize his ambitions.
Il was senior at the time and expected To- be gradu-
atcl in "a few weeks had been offered place in the
office of the big political boss Of the city had political
aspirations and had been making speeches and atcui-
ins meetings for several months The boss had shown
a friendly interest in me, and when he offered me
place with him felt that a successful political career
was assured But the boss had methods that did not
like tried tell myself that all was fair in politics,
and that squcamisiuc- in the game was childish. |
hal almost convinced myself that the bosss ways were
wi ways when Grandou Edwards spoke at our college
After that address / walked the streets all night