The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1916-12-19

WOFk FeDululUp. WlLIlu Ueu
wv days the burned area was all
rebuilt 1t took us just about
the former period of time to determine
that we would be unable to save any
thing from the wreck and about the
latter period for the general public to
find it out.
Talbot made desperate efforts for
foothold/and In succession interviewed
all the big men. They were sorry, but
they were firm. Each had been hard
nit by the fire, each had himself to
cover; each was forced by circum-
stances TO grasp every advantage.
Again they We're sorry.
Yes, they arer' cried Talbot. "They
just reach out and grab what ought to
be my profits. Well, it's the game. I'd
do the same myself"
BY that night we knew that Talbot
had lost every piece Of property he
owned-or thought he owned. The de-
structlon OF the Ward block swept
away every cent of income, with the
exception of the dividends from the
Wharf company stock These latter
could not begin to meet the obligations
of interest and agreed payments on the
other property.
The state of affairs became common
ly known In about ten days simply be-
cause In those rapid times obligations
were never made nor money lent for
longer periods than one month At the
end of each thirty days they had to be
renewed. Naturally Talbot could not
renew them.
We knew all that long In advance,
and we faced the situation with some
humor.
well. boys" said Talbot, here we
are. About d year ago, as | remember
! It, our assets were a bundle Of news
papers and less than 500. Haven't
even got newspaper now, but l
reckon among us we could just about
scrape up the 500"
"I've got nearer 50. 700 In my belt"
pointed out.
An embarrassed silence fell for mo-
ment, then Talbot spoke up, picking
his words very carefully.
We've talked that over. Frank"
said he. land we've come to the conclu.
| sion that you must keep that and go
home, just as you planned TO do,
| Yon're the only man of us who has
managed to keep what he has made.
Johnny falls overheard and leaves his
In the bottom of the Sacramento: Yank
/ gets himself busted in a road agent
row; I-I-well. l blow soap bubbles.
You've kept at It steady and strong and
reliable, and you deserve your good
luck. You shouldn't lose the fruits OF
your labor because we, each in our
manner, have been assorted fools"
listened to this speech with grow
ing Indignation, and at Its conclusion |
rose up full of what considered right
eous anger. My temper is very slow
to rouse, but when once 1t wakes II
takes possession OF me.
Look here. you fellows" | cried,
very red In the face. they tell me, you
answer me few questions. Are we
or are we not partners? Are we or are
we not friends? Do You or do you not
consider me low lived. white livered,
NANCY, good for nothing yellow pup?
| Why, confound your pusillanimous
souls, what do you mean by talking to
me in that fashion? For just about 2
cents Id bust your fool necks for you
every one of you" glared vindic.
lively Mt them. "Do you suppose I'd
make any such proposition to any OF
you-tO ask you TO sneak off like a
whipped cur, leaving me TO take the
Hold on, Frank" interposed Talbot
soothingly. IL didn't mean
Didn't your cried. well, what
did YOU mean? Weren't you trying tC
make me out a quitter?" | had sue
ceeded In working loose my heavy gold
belt, and | dashed 1t on the table In
front OF them. There! Now. yor
send for some gold scales right now
and YOU divide that up! Right here
Hang It all, boys" ended, with wha,
to cynical bystander would have
seemed rather Il funny slump into the
pathetic, 81 thought We were all rea
friends. You've hurt my feelings"
II was very young and very ridicu
lous and perhaps-I can say It from
the vantage OF fifty years-just q little
tou'hing, At any rate, when hat
finished my comrades We're looking II
all directions, and Talbot cleared his
throat number OF times before ht
replied
why, Frank" he said gently at last
of course wen take tive nevel
dreamed-of courseit was stupid Of