The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1916-09-15
chAPTER xIv-continued.
Il

friends need not be uneasy about the
recurrence Of the liquor craving"
ABilly," said WIllett, "do you know,
have lately been reminded Of some
thing friend said to me many years
ago? 1t was that the man who had
felt the blight of intemperance person
ally made the real fighter against the
liquor business. That remark has come
\ back to me with the force Of blow"
Doctor Billy made no immediate
reply. but sat staring thoughtfully be-
fore him. Then he took off his big,
shell-rimmed spectacles and polished
them with critical attention. as il the
work were of the utmost Importance.
s'John," he said presently, that's
your answer"
MY answer"
LAST night you kept asking, all the
way out to the farm. why, why2'
Don't you remember
Eyes. remember. But"
swell then, you will be surprised
when ! say that you are in way
personally responsible, more than even
Francis or Lem, for the unhappy oc-
currences of the last few days."
Irresponsible? How do you"
81 remember that campaign here in
Sheffield, six years ago. remember
you went to Europe, and heard that
few people were bold enough to say
that-well, If you had stayed at home
the result would have been different.
This may or may not be true: but so
much is true: if you had been deeply
concerned for the outcome. you never
would have gone"
Willett looked as puzzled as child.
He was hurt. even a little offended. or
as much so as one could well be with
Billy Jackson.
sYour boy-not alone yours, but ey-
cry boy in the community grows up
to see men like you, good men, hon
ored men, men of prosperity and In
fiuence. wink at this thing You salve
your conscience by single vote once
a year and perhaps a check. You say
to yourself that you have done your
duty. that you have expressed your
preference for the right thing. that you
have set good example.
you don't drink: you don't want
your boy to do so; but you, or most
men like you, often say you have nc
objection to mans drinking moder-
ateIy. If he knows how to handle it,
Its all been gone over so many,
many tines said Doctor Billy, sadly,
Forgive me, If have hurt you SO
terribly, John. But / am a surgeon;
it is my business to hurt people, / am
sorry to say. Thank God it is often
through that hurt that they are made
whole"
The spring campaign was on once
more. and again Amos Stubs sat in
the saddle. For several years the
cause of no-license had languished, but
the Napoleonic Stubs returned from
the Elba of the slums. where he had
gone to await the psychological mo-
inent and labor while he waited.
Rodney Jones had made good. Al
the opening Of the campaign the View
reporter had stepped out of the eleva-
tor at the top floor Of AIinot house.
Don't you remember me?" he asked
when he had found Charlie Thomas,
e~who was busily delving into the utili-
ties Of set of water-color paints.
why. yes: you're Mr.. Jones OF the
View
Charlie held out his hand: then, in
some embarrassment, he said:
THE reason remember you is be-
cause was--I was pretty mean to you
the other time you came here. I've
always been sorry for that silly pic
ture. | guess hurt your feelings
pretty bad"
Yes. that's right, you did," said Rod
uey Jones. ''But you know lot of
people believe it's only the bad-tasting
medicine that does any good
Then his face grew very earnest, and
ne hogan to talk to the young art stu
dent with certain note of persuasion.
Lets ask your friend, McGregor.'
said Jones. after few minutes of spir-
tied argument.
IFS splendid opportunity" said
McGnegor, heartily. MIR Jones. your
paper Is doing great work This
year Wen surely put the liquor
people out of business. If Thomas
does what you ask. it win be the I'm
ishing blow I'm convinced OF it.
Young man. If you want to serve this
city. to do really big thing, you will
make those pictures
On theday on which the irst picture
appeared the entire city rocked with
laughter. Then the city stopped laugh
ing and grew serious. What kind of
soul was it that looked out from behind
that ridiculous mask? Was it funny (?
Was 1t joke to realize that Sheffield
was governed by that type of man,
whose sinister personality was now.
In this simple picture, stripped naked
Z. for examination and analysis?