Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1918-02-19

| captain, II had known It at first I'm
not sure that I, personally, would have
taken the matter up. Yet / might, I
can't tell. But now that had done it
and discovered what I had I couldn't
give 1t up. I must 60 on and learn
more. And knew enough already to
be certain that the more learned the
more should write and have publish
ed. It was one of those things which
had to be made public-if o fellow had
conscience about him and pride In
the decency of his profession.
"All this was going through my head
as sat there in his private Office. And
he took my surprise and hesitation as
symptoms Of wavering and went at me,
hard. OF course knew, he said, that
the operation was absolutely within
the law. I did, but that didn't make
it more honest or moral and just. He
went on to say that in large financial
deals Of this nature petty scruples
must be lost sight of. Good Of the
business, rights of stockholders, all that
sort Of stuff. He rang the changes.
All the papers care for was sensation.
To imperil the fortune Of widows and
orphans whose savings were invested
in the South Shore stock for the sake
Of sensation was a crime. He should
have known better than to say that to
me. 1t is such an ancient, worn out
platitude."
II know. I've been to political meet
ms. The widows and orphans are al
ways hangin' on the success Of the
party, whichever way you vote. The
amount Of tears shed over their invest
ments by fellers you wouldn't trust
with brass five cent piece is some
thin amazin'. Go on; didn't mean
to interrupt"
"Then he switched to a more per-
sonal appeal. He said he had taken a
fancy to me-had liked me from the
very beginning. He recognized my un-
usual genius at first sight and had
gone as far as to make plans bearing
directly on my future. He was associ-
ated with men Of wealth and business
sagacity. Large deals, Of which the
trolley combine was but one, were on
foot. He and bis friends needed rep
resentative on the press-a publicity
agent, so to speak. Some Of the great
est corporations employed men Of that
kind, and the salaries paid were large
and the opportunities afforded greater
still. Well, that's true enough. I know
writers who are doing just that thing
and getting rich at it. suppose they've
squared their consciences somehow
and are willing to write lies and mis-
leading articles for what there is In 1t.
1 can't, that's all; I'm not built that
way, and told him 80.
ut ended in an open break. he re-
minded me of the favors he had done
me. He had treated me almost like a
son, had introduced me to his family,
entertained me at his table. Where
was my gratitude? That was another
bad break on his part, for it made me
mad. told him had not asked to be
adopted or fed by him; If I had sup
posed his kindness had an ultedor mo-
tive I would have seen him at the
devil before I accept favor. My ca
reer as a financial visitor was ended.
Get out Of his Office! I got But the
trolley combine did not go through.
The Planet and the other papers kept
up the fight, and-and the widows and
orphans are bankrupt, presume
Captain Ensha's pipe had gone out
long since. He absently rubbed the
warm bowl between his palms.
"Humphp he muttered. "so Bite
was deep In that business, was hep
"He was. Very deep indeed, I found
out afterward. And declare almost
pitied him at the time. He acted as II
his whole fortune was staked on the
gamble. His hands shook and the per
spiration stood on his forehead as he
talked. I felt as If I had been the
means of running him. But Of course
hadn't He lived for some time after
that and, understand, died a rich
man."
Eyes. he left what I'd call a heap Of
money. Ny nephew and niece don't
seem to think so. but I do"
$50 you see, captain, why I stopped
calling on the Warrens and why I did
not accept Miss Warren's invitation"
II see-I see. And yet don't know.
Bile may have took you in for bust.
ness reasons, but the children didn't.
They nked you for yourself. Caroline
as much as said so. And their father
never told 'em a word about the row,
neither. OF course you couldn't have
called when he was alive, but he's
gone. and Pm-well, I'm sort Of tenn
porary skipper there now. And I want
you to come"
The string of Japanese gongs hung
in the lower hall sounded sonorously.
Captain Elisha reached for his coat
and hat, but Pearson caught his arm.
mo. you don't" he declared. you're
going to stay and have lunch with me
here. II you say no shall believe 1t
lS because YOU oAo oAAoAo Va = oooAo-
ing house meal"
His guest protested, but the protests
were overruled, and he and his host
went down to the dining room. The
captain whispered as they entered:
Land sakes, Jim, this takes me back
home. It's pretty nigh twin to the
dinin' room at the Center House In
South Denb0ro."
Pearson called. He appeared at the
apartment q week after the luncheon
at the boarding house and was wei
coined by Captain Elisha, who, hear
ing his voice, strode into the hall,
sent the shocked Edwards to the right
about in hurry, seized his friends
hand and ushered him into the library.
Pearson said nothing concerning his
change of mind, the course Of reason
ing which led him to make the visit,
and the captain asked no questions.
They spent pleasant afternoon to-
serner. Caroline was out, and they
had the library to themselves. The
newest chapters Of the novel were read
and discussed, and the salty flavor Of
the talk was as pronounced as ever.
Pearson left early. but promised to