Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-02-02
CHAPTER xI.
A Visit From Father.

A Visit From Father.
~ URING this trying month old Cy-
rus Martin. the soap king. had
sat in his library in Fifth ave-
nue.. or in his swivel chair at his
Office and wondered how things were
going with the boy anyway. From
such information as reached him. he
was not so encouraged as he would
have liked to be. A month was not
long enough to tell. of course in the
normal course of things. but that fool
advertising made another matter of 1t.
Those huge billboards and electric signs
and balloons and sandwich men-pif1e
all Of it. but Martin knew what such
things cost. and was snre that Rod:
ney's company could not possibly stand
it, He was worried. And he was an
2noyed too. These abominable sand
wich men: he had had one set of them
arrested that afternoon on the avenue.
He couldn't stand it. People might
know who were in this ridiculous Is
Soap company. and he should be we'll
laughed at.
Another and contradictory thing was
the rumor he had heard downtown yes
terday that the Andover Soap people
were backing Rodney's company. go
ing to build a plant for them. In fact,
putting one thing and another together.
he decided he would drop down and
give the boy call ut his Office. 1t
wouldn't be bad to see him again. and
Mary Grayson too. So he presented
himself at the new soap company's Of
fee. on Broadway, and was kept wait
ing for his pains. A Miss Burke took
in his name. and he guessed that 1t
caused some excitement. for be could
hear Rodney's voice and another chat
ting inside while he cooled his heels.
When he was at last ushered In the
place looked like real Office. on the
whole. and there at desk sat Rodney,
talking through the telephone. His IA
Their caught something about mot con-
sidering it, and mot having any stock
for sale''-"quite out OF the question"
ct cetera. ct tcetera. as he took Il chair.
well. well.'' thought MIR. Martin.
rather pleased and proud. Whats
this?"
Rodney III moment dropped the tele-
phone and esped his father.
"Why. hello. father!' he greeted him
genially.
Hello. SON." said Mr.. Martin. He
observed with establishment that Rod
ney was very busy filing papers. open
ing and closing drawers and that every
now and then he signed typewriter
letter viciously with rubber stamp.
"Sit down. won't you?" said Rodney
presently. "I'll be with you in just a
moment" w.
''Thanks." said his father dryly.
'Have a cigar?" said Rodney, hand
ing the old gentleman box in an alb.
sentminded way.
Thanks said Mr.. Martin. biting OF
the end and lighting it at the match
which Rodney held for him. Rodney
lighted one too.
surprised to see me. suppose p
said his father presently.
Not BIT" said Rodney, fourishing
. contract and signing it Mr.. Martin
had some curiosity to see what It
could be. this thing which really look
ed like contract. but his son turned 1t
upside down and blotted it ostenta-
tiously on his desk pad.
There that's DONE" he added,
''Now. father. what can do for YOU? r.
"Well. my boy" said Mr.. Martin, Il
just dropped in for a social call. The
fact Is I've rather missed you.
i've missed you, too. father" said
Rodney.
Thought I'd have a look in and find
out how things were going" said Mr..
Martin abruptly.
"Fine-fnew said Rodney. Every
thing breezing right along. OF course
I'm always glad to see you" he added.
pushing the buxzer. but right now.
father. I'm pretty busy, 30 you'll ex-
cuse me if''-
He got very busy indeed again with
his papers.
"Well, II you can spare the time I'd
like little business talk with you,
Rodney" said Mr.. Martin, with q Ger
tain sarcasm. VI
Certainly. In just a minute" said
Rodney. still preoccupied with his pa.
pers, but pricking up his ears.
Ambrose Peale. coming in, stopped
suddenly when he saw who their Wis
itor was. Rodney looked up at him.
That's all right; come right fn." he
said. Father, n you remember Mr..
Peale Il Peale. my father
-Indeed.; yes ItrecalI very well." BE-
gan Peale enusivtly.
Mr.. Martin grufiy cut him Oh.
.'How are yoti Z" he said.
"a bit tired said Peale, sitting
down comfortably; Just back from
Buffalo. where we're conducting big
campaign"
SIS that sor' said Martin, senior.
crustily. ss.3
Perhaps you've heard about it7s In
quired Rodney, looking at his father.
mo. Why should 1 hear about itT'
said that gentleman for Peals's benefit
especially. &
81 don't know" said Psale helplessly.
'sYou see, Mr.. Pealo handles Ill our
advertising. and perhaps" began Rod
ney. IS.
"Oh. he does. dos Aei', said III. Mar.
tin vigorously. '"rhen It II q him
I should address myself
"Either or both Of ma chirped Rod.
nesy .s IS
':rhen both e yep llss.a . = MAJ,