Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-09-10

When George at last reached a
point where some expression Of opin
ion by his father could no longer be
withheld, the president of the Card
board trust thrust aside some papers,
which had been engaging his atten-
ton. He smiled sourly and paused
moment to marshal his thoughts.
my boy" he said, Il must ask you
to get these stupid reform notions out
OF your head once and for all. ] am
not in business for my health, but to
make money. Every man who has
started out to elevate the masses has
quickly found himself in the mire
from which he hoped to draw others.
In the course of time shall hand you
over a magnificent trade organization,
and let me tell you in the most
! definite terms that l-expect you to
conform to my methods, and give your
mother, sister and brother the same
share Of the worlds good things
which they have always received
while was in control"
But, father"
Mr.. Hamer waved an impatient
hand.
Unless you can produce something
more plausible in the argument line,
I'm through" he said testify.
Mrs. Hamer. secretly proud of her
son, and dimly aware of fascinating,
if elusive, vision carrying scroll
blazoned with the legend Truth and
Justice which his earnest pleading
had brought to her minds eye, ven
tured to put in timid request for a
further hearing.
MANY time have heard you
yourself say that trade conditions are
continually changing she murmured,
lifting her eyes to her husbands stern
>5ace. Perhaps there may be some
thing really helpful in Georges
theory. ! think you ought to listen
to him, Elwood."
Mr. Hamer was surprised at finding
his wife ranged on the side OF son
who had momentarily yielded to some
absurd socialistic notions.
i "The sensible man who sees a
snake does not try to convince it OF
the error OF its way. but hits ii on the
head straight away" he snarled.
| why should waste my time in con
vincing young fool that he knows
nothing whatever about the very
points he is trying to raise under
stand my business, and George
doesn't, and that's all there is to it.
Mrs. Hamer Redeemed. Mabel, hop
ing to bring peace into the family
circle, strolled gracefully to the piano
and began playing Mendelssohn's
Spring Song" She was firm be-
lever in the power Of music, and the
Spring Song is one Of the most
soothing melodies ever composed.
But her brothers face had grown
white, and his mouth was set firmly,
since he could be quite as stubborn as
his father in advocating any cause to
which he was devoted.
Stop that, sis" he said emphati-
cally. This affair must be settled
here and now. Ny father must either
agree to GO into the workers griev-
ances with sympathetic spirit or |
leave this house.
Hello cried Mr.. Hamer. rs that
| a threat
] mo, dad; its mere statement of
fact. ! have come to the parting OF
the ways. may as well put all my
cards face upward on the table. Not
only shall lead the reform move
ment in your trade, but ! am going to
marry Janet Perkins. sst You don't
even know her name," he went on,
noting the astounded look on his
fathers face and the instant anxiety
Of mother and sister. "You have not
| the least acquaintance with one OF the
best and purest-minded and cleanest-
Drained women IN New York, though
you have been paying her a wretchcd
lpittance for six long years"
i Mrs. Hamer begin to cry softly, but
her husband gazed vindictively at the
son who was evidently prepared to
brave his wrath.
4 Janet Perkinsw he gasped. Zone
Of my girlsf"
i II was an unfortunate phrase, and
| the younger man was not slow to take
advantage OF the slip.
Il Yes he said. "One OF your girls
One OF the women whose souls and
bodies you are wearing numerically
in order to pile up dollars. And for
whatl After lifetime OF such effort
you have simply succeeded in blunt
ing every God-given instinct in your
mind and weakening your body with
dyspepsia"
George touched sore point in
mentioning his fathers pet complaint
how sore can only be known ia
. those who suffer from that most try.
ing Of diseases. Mr.. Hamer swore
loudly by way Of preliminary to an
outburst which must have pulverized
the culprit. But timely interruption
averted the crisis. The butler en-.
tered and announced solemnly:
( "Mr. John Burton"
/ As il happened, John had met the
, president of the Cardboard Box trus,
in connection with some business
matters, and certain social amenities
followed. He liked young George
/ and was much taken BY Mabel, who
was pretty and charming, OF an ex,
ceedingly restfuf temperament, and !
really gifted musician.
The girl took charge instantly. Sh,
rose and greeted the visitor without
any semblance OF constraint. But tn,
! other members of the family were moi
so sclf-possessed, and Burton soor
noticed that the domestic atmosphere
! was heavy with storm.
Anything wrongl" he asked cheer
lily. "You people look as though yot
had been telling each other the rea
TRUTH"
. SO we have" beloved Mr.. Hamcr
! !, rising from the table and grabbing hi.
I papers. "I've been telling my sor
that he is several sorts OF an idiot
: and he has just coolly informed m,
that he means 10 marry some GIRL II