Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1917-11-22
"MAKIN6 GOOD"

by LEE vERoNE HAMMOND. !


nephew, Verne Barley. eco away"
Now. Verne resented this. He real
tied that In the estimation Of his reIa-
tive he was shiftless and ne'er-do-
well.
I've done nothing to disgrace him
or the family" unused Verne resent
fully. after this last interview, $50 why
should | go away? Yes, will !" he ut-
tered next. v,hemenily. mot to please
his lOrdly ideas Of the family dignity,
but because. come TO think OF it. do
cut a measIy figure with no ambition
beyond eight dollars week. Besides
there's Elsie"
Yes. there was Elsie, Elsie Todd, and
she was well worth thinking Of.
He had secured board and lodging
ct a third rate hotel mostly patronlzed
BY the cheaper grade of stage people
and circus entertainers. Among these
was an Arab named Haldy, who owned
four performing elephants. Verne hap
pened 10 occupy the room adjoining
that of Haldy. One night he was
awakened by suspicious sounds In the
next apartment. He went out into the
corridor and stood listening outside
the door of Haidy's room. Then the
sound as of someone suffocating I'm
PEELED him to push open the door, He
was big and fearless and what he saw
so aroused Verne, that he precipltated
himself into the room like a rushing
cyclone.
Two cyIl-faced fellows had Haidy
Ned to chair and gagged One was
dppiRg ap the pillows and the mat
tfess on the bed. The second Of the
marauders was kneellng before the
captive with q lighted candle In his
hand. FiendIshly he would sweep the
holes of the feet Of poor Haldy with
the 'torturing flame Of the candle, In
order to force him to tell the hiding
place Of his money.
"Fou scoundreis :" roared Verne, and
he seized the man with the candle by
the khape of his neck and hurled him
AodIly ten feet across the room and In
70 the outer corridor. The other es-
capped. 49,
"fou have saved my money and
maybe my nfe," spoke the trainer with
weRuiAe gratitude. "Reach down that
CLOCK hanging over the table,"
II was only the skeleton Of clock,
Cor. removing Its back cover, Haidy
disclosed a vacant space after he had
displaced great roll Of bank notes.
Those scoundrels must have watch
ed me-" said Haldy, "fOr I drew a
large amount OF money from the bank
today. shall reward you"
sYou won't do that" announced
Verne lightly. 'Work is what I need
And work Verne got, for Haldy be
came not only his considerable employ
er but his firm friend. In fact Verne
became manager" for Haidy.
The big elephant Samson, became a
real favorite with Verne. He was old
er than the others, but his feats were
far more marvellous. II was about a
year after Verne had Joined his for
tunes with Haidy that the latter said
20 him.
Samson has been going stale for
month past and at the last show town
ne broke down on half Of his clever
stunts. I've known for a long time
that he VAS getting too heavy for pos
eng. and walking up the pyramid steps,
and those delicate tricks. II ] keep
aim on the program he will spoil his
three mates. By the way, I've got an
cffer for a two years engagement In
Australia. WIN you come with us?"
Il capt say in a minute" replied
Verne thoughtfully, and Elsie was In
his mind. about Samson, nowf" he
added.
I'VE won't take. Samson with u.s."
responded .Haidy, and he became seri-
Gus and sorry looking. Its the chloro-
form sponge or bullet for that poor
old hero"
''fve decided about Australia" an
nounced Verne in steel trap order. II
won't 90. As to Samson, mark out
ny contract percentage and give me
Samson"
Verne contracted with a retired
Iingman to accompany him in getting
Samson 70 RidgetQp overland. One
afteffi6on, they arrived at Bruceville,
twenty miles from Ridgeton. One Of
Verne's former close friends lived
there, and. having arranged as to shell
ter and care for Samson, Verne sought
BOT Dick Joslyn. .- ST.
When Verne had last seen his friend
the latter and his father were operat-
lpg a large plant at Brueeville. As
Verne now neared this, he was amazed
20 find the main factory in process OF
being wrecked. Work to demolish
nearly hundred four room cottages
had Just begun as well. Verne found
his friend experimenting the task of
demolition. =.
"what's upi Going out of-businessT
questioned Verne.
"Oh, no." replied young Joslyn, "just
beginning all over again. You see the
al al