Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1916-06-22
The Story
of a Big
Man in a
Big Town
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he mumbled.
He felt very lonely. and this was.
daily, his hardest hour For long
time he and Jim had lunched together
habitually at a small restaurant near
the Sheridan building, where they
spent twenty minutes In the consump-
ton Of food, and twenty in talk. with
cigars. But now Sheridan remained
alone In his Office; he had not gone out
TO lunch since Jim's DEATH nor did he
have anything sent to him-he tasted
until evening.
1t was the time he missed Jim per-
sonally the most-the voice and eyes
and handshake, all brisk and alert. all
businesslike. But Sheridan's sense Of
loss went far deeper. Jim was the one
who would have been surest to keep
the great property growing greater,
year by year. Sheridan had fallen
asleep, night after night, picturing
what the growth would be under Jim.
He had believed that Jim was abso-
lutely certain to be one Of the biggest
men in the country. Well. 1t was all
up to Roscoe now!
That reminded him Of question he
had In mind to ask Roscoe. 1t was a
question Sheridan considered of no
present Importance. but his wife had
suggested it--though vaguely--and he
had meant to speak to Roscoe about 1t.
However, Roscoe had not come into
his fathers office for several days. and
when Sheridan had seen his son at
home there had been no opportunity.
He waited until the greater part of
his days work was over, toward four
O'Clock, and then went down to Ros-
GOES office, which was on lower floor.
He found several men waiting for bust
ness interviews in an outer room of
the series Roscoe occupied; and he sup
posed that he would find his son busy
with others, and that his question
would have to be postponed, but when
he entered the door marked "R. c.
Sheridan. Private" Roscoe was there
alone.
He was sitting with his back to the
door, his feet on a window-sill, and he
did not turn as his father opened the
door. a y
Some pretty good men out there
waitin' to see you, my boy" said Sheri-
dan. whats the matterT
Nothing" Roscoe answered indis-
tinctly, not moving.
swell, guess that's all right, too
/ let 'em wait sometimes myself!
just wanted to ask you question, but
expect it'll! keep. If you're workin'
something out I'm your mind"
Roscoe made no reply; and his ia
Their. who had turned to the door.
paused with his hand on the knob,
staring cufiously at the motionless
figure in the chair. Usually the son
seemed pleased and eager when he
came to the office. you're all right,
amt you?" said Sheridan. "Not sick,
are your
"No."
Sheridan was puzzled; then, abrupt
ly, he decided to ask his question. II
wanted to talk to you about that young
Lamhorn," he said. ~ guess your
mother thinks he's comm to see Edith
pretty often, and you know him longer
n any of us, So"
81 won't" said Roscoe, thickly--T
won't say dam thing about himw
Sheridan uttered an exclamation and
walked quickly to position near the
window where he could see his sons
face. Roscoe's eyes were bloodshot
and vacuous; his hair was disordered,
his mouth was distorted, and he was
deathly pale. The father stood aghast.
"By Georgew he mnttered. "Ros-
coer'
''My name" said Roscoe. "Can' help
that"
Roscoe" Blank establishment was
Sheridan's first sensation. Probably
nothing in the world could have more
amazed him than to find Roscoe-the
steady old wheel-horse-in this condi-
ton. How'd you get this way?" he
demanded. "You caught cold and took
too much for it?'
For reply Roscoe laughed hoarsely.
"Yeuh! Cold! been drinkun all time,
lately. FRS you notice itT'
by Georger' cried Sheridan. 81
thought I'd smelt it on you good deal
lately, but / wouldn't "a believed
you'd take more'n was good for you.
Bob! To see you like common hogp'
Roscoe chuckled and threw out his
right arm in a meaningless gesture.
"Hogr' he repeated. chuckllng.
Eyes, hog!' said Sheridan, angrily.
'In business hours! l don't object to
takin' a drink IL he wants
to, out O. business hours; nor. II man
keeps his work right up to the scratch,
| wouldn't be the one to haste him if
he got good an drunk once in two,
three years, maybe. 1t amt my way.
l let 1t alone, but I never believed In
forcin' my way on a grown-up son In
moral matters. I guess ! was wrong!
You think them men out there are
waitin' to talk business with drunk
ard? You think you can come to your
office and do business drunk? BY
George! wonder how often this has
been happening and me not on to 1t!
I'll have look over your books tomor-
row, and ID
Roscoe stumbled to his feet, laugh
ing wildly, and stood swaying, con-
irving to hold himself in position by
clutching the back of the heavy chair
in which he had been sitting.
"HoO-hoorahp' he cried "'S my
principles, too. Be drunken all you
want to-outside business hours Don
for Gossake le'n'thing innerfere bust
ness hours! Business!! Thassit! You're
right, father Drink! Die! L'every-
fhinr 90 70 hnll hut don't L. IL r.nrfgra