The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1915-04-09
WICKED OLD MAN
BY ROGER JACOB DUNN.

f 10 caro- index catalogue.
d "Randall-Randall,' he muttered
ana began examining the records un
r der that name.
h He seemed perplexed, for he could
J. not remember where the Randalls
came from, if he had ever known
somewhere out West, he fancied. He
r was still examining the catalogue
! when the boy brought in a card, and
+ ne resumed his chair just in time to
De able to rise and welcome a girl
VINO entered nervously and with evil
dent signs of agitation.
. Sit down, Miss Randall" said the
wickedest old man in town, Offering
her chair.
But she refused to be seated and,
opening her reticule, took out a letter
and clipping and flung them angrily
upon the desk
i received your blackmailing
scheme" she cried. well, do you
think you can do what you threaten
and get away with it?''
Madam, l have been getting away
with it for fifteen years." answered
the wickedest man in town.
The girl collapsed into the chair
and burst into tears. The wickedest
man in town seemed really concerned
about her.
Now, now, control yourself" he
said soothingly This is a simple
business proposition. l edit paper
devoted to news Of the socially elite.
l have received very interesting in
formation about your family which
would make good reading Before
printing it l submitted a copy of it
to you-a proof, we call it-asking
you whether you wish it to appear,
and, If 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
THE Randall-Robinson wedding
which takes place on the day follow.
Ing the return of the bridegroom from
England, next month"
Eyes, you coward" interrupted the
girl. IF 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 man
in town, Il have been thrashed within
an inch Of my life at least once a
war SiDon I honop,o oditor
thrive on it."
And he continued to read:
Will excite great interest, on &C.
count of the interesting past of the
Randalls. Coming FROM left a |
blank there for you to fill in," he con.
tinued.
How much do you want to keep |
that out of your paper?" demanded |
Miss Juanita.
flush, my child" answered the
wickedest man in town. You admit
its truth, them"
"How much?' repeated the girl in.
fiexibly.
Il have some other interests be.
sides editing my papeE," pursued the
wickedest old man in town thought
fully. Il have a good deal of mining
stock"
How many shares do you want me
to buy?" inquired the girl.
"But it is not for sale. However.
If you are really thinking of buying
mining stock l can put you in touch
with a good friend of mine who has
some for sale, 1 believe will ask
him to call on you tonight However,
Miss Juanita, it would be better for us
to be entirely frank with each other.
Since / gather that you are averse to
having that item inserted, it shall not
be inserted. l always try to please
my friends. But now, tell me, where
do you come from?"
Il won't tell YOU
Your mothers maiden name, them"
urged the wickedest old man in town.
What are you going to do with that
Keep it, my dear, for a hundred
years longer than live. Come, be as
rank with me as you would be with
your lawyer Who are your people?"
My mother was Miss Rogers of
AUSTIN" answered the girl
The wickedest old man in town
lowed, and, walking to the catalogue,
ook out the Randall card. He showed
to the girl, and then tore it into
my pieces, which he let flutter through 3
lis fingers into the waste-paper bas-
let.
Good day, Miss Randall" said the
old man in town. my
riend will not call on you with that
mining stock"
"But-but,' stammered the girl, "the
rticle-"
will never be published" answered
ne other, taking up the proof and
caring it, likewise, into small pieces. |
Good day once more" |
But why did you send for me?" the
lrl demanded uneasny.
ITO verify my suspicious" answered |
le Wickedest old man in town. You !
eed have no further fears, good day." |
When at last the girl was gone the
ickedest old man in town sat down
his desk and fell into an abstrac-
on.
Il wonder what Molly Randall would
" ii she knew who her husband is?"
CALCULATED. Cad, that girl is a
INNER! 1t almost makes one re-
ectable to be able to claim a daugh
r like that"
Copyright, 1914. by w. G. Chapman.)