Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-11-13
:OppOrtunitD=
Bv EDGAR FRANKLIN
Copyright, Frank A. Munsey Co, West Forteh
New York City.

| his stare at David grew quite hyp.
motto. "Ah, here it is-a little, won
derfully big poem by the late Senator
John ingalls,. 1t is called-'Opportun.
ity'" 1c
"Aha!" David said rather stupidity.
"And now, listen" said Anthony,
clearing his throat
Master of human destinies am T."
He paused and sent the hypnotic
smile drilling into David.
Master of human destinies!'" he
repeated. "That, in itself, means a
very great deal, does it not?"
II guess So" David muttered dazed.
ly, and, however briefly, johnson
Boiler almost liked him for the look
he directed at Anthony's bowed head.
Tame, love and fortune on my foot
steps wait,
Cities and fields walk; penetrate
Deserts and seas remote, and passing
by
Howell and mart and palace, soon or
late
I knock unbidden onte at every gate.
'Once," concluded Anthony, "at
every gate. Once David"
yes, I've heard that poem before, =
said David, who was examining the
rug.
johnson Boiler laughed In rich I'M
dertone. Anthony flushed, and his
voice rose little as he continued:
III feasting, rise; il sleeping, wake
before
turn away. 1t is the hour Of fate
And they who follow me reach
every state
Bortals desire, and conquer every foe
Save death -
The owner Of Frys Imperial Lint
ment looked over his glasses and dis.
covered that David, having poked
open the door Of the littleused cellar
ct with his foot, was looking in at the
bottles with mild interest.
Every foe save DEATH" Anthony
raped out. did you hear that,
Avid-'
yes, Of course" David said hastily.
DO you know what time it is, Mr..
Fry"
No! Hear the restt" said Anthony.
=. But those who doubt or
hesitate,
Condemned to failure, penury or woe.
Seek me in vain and ceaselessly i'm
piore;,
I answer not and I return no more!'
Almost reverently the book closed.
Have you quite assimilated the fun
meaning Of that little poem, David p
he asked gravely.
"Eryes."
"Quite?" Anthnsy persisted.
Why, guess So" David said, eyes
opening again. Yes, I know I have
only don't look at me like that and
Then hear the rest of what have
to say" Anthony went on quickly and
tmpressively, "for now we come to my
reason for bringing you here. David
you are poor. You are without pro
fession-without q business of you1
own. Your brightest hope at present
Is to become plumber"
Say" David began.
Il should have said, your brightest
chance" Anthony corrected. sBut
your ambition, David, is altogether
different. Your ambition is to be.
cOme-What!"
And now, before the penetrating,
hypnotic eye, David seemed, not with.
out warrant, to have grown downright
frightened. He. glanced swiftly at
Anthony and at the door.
Il don't know" he said breathlessly
What's the answer"
We'll, what do you want to be.
come? A doctor? A lawyer? A teach
Ier! A journalist? A clergyman? A
painter? An architect? A mining an
gineer? A civil engineer? A.
1t was plain to Johnson Boiler that
the situation was getting beyond
David's doubtless nimble, doubtless
criminal mind. The boy held up an
unsteady hand and stayed the flow.
That's it," he said hoarsely. "a
civil engineer! You got it out of me,
didn't you? And now I'd better 20
and"
His quick, scared grin showed all
his teeth, and he nodded in the most
ridiculous fashion-really much in
the fashion one might nod at hope
less lunatic when agreeing, as a
matter of course, he is the original
Pharaoh. His mental state fairly
giowed from him; all that David
wanted was to leave the Hotel La
sande.
David. in short was doing just what
ninety-nine per cent Of the human
race insists on doing; even at the
hint OF opportunity, he was trying to
face about and escape But more
than that, David, obviously one Of the
lower classes, was treating Anthony
Fry with tolerance that was more
than disrespect. He was causing
johnson Boiler to chuckle YEARLY
over his cigar-and in spite OF his
purely abstract interest, Anthmy's
color grew darker and his. voice de-
cidedly sharper.
"Sit STILL" he commanded and
listen to me. David, up to this eyed
ing you had no real hope of attaining
your ambition: In fine, opportunity
to make the goal was not yours. Now
opportunity is yours!"
rs it,? David said throatily, albeit
he did not resume his seat.
Because this is what mean to do
for you, David; l mean to take you
out of your present humble situation
and educate you. I mean to have you
here to live with me-"
WHAT David gasped.
From this very evening"" Anthony
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