The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1918-06-27
Fast riends
By ELEANOR LEE
CcOpyrlsht. 1913. western Newspaper unlOn.G

drove his automobile from his home
town over to Moorville, fifty miles dis
tant, with a plan In view that at least
temporarily lifted him from the men
tai slough of little interest In life into
which he had fallen.
He carried letter from his lawyer
to brother, also q lawyer, at Moor
vile, and, arrived at his destination,
was speedily In consultation with the
latter.
II wish to be extremely confidential
with you" announced Thomas. Il
that l know of, no close friends, few
familiar acquaintances. l have done
my duty by my native town, donated
library, subscribed generously to all
public charities and the like, but am
not only lonely, but the thought that no
one is bound to me by any influence of
real interest and friendship depresses
me. have determined to take up
some deserving, ambitious young fell
low, educate him, make him my heir
and have the consolation of some one
caring unselfishly for me In my old
age.
MY mind naturally ran back to the
early days when l had real friends.
Two of them formerly lived In Moor
Vile. Both are now dead, but | find
that one of them, Robert Martin. has
left a widow, two sons and daughter.
The other, John Willis, is survived by
a son only. | have made some quiet
investigation. The youngster son of
the Martin family, Arthur, Is at a
pliable age and think l should like
him. Stanley Willis is a few years
his senior, but from what learn Is
a bright, Industrious young man. l
think my selection would rest between
the two"
'Then." inslnuated the lawyer deli
cately, "your plan Is"
ITO try them In turn. Say we take
Arthur Martin first. I wish you to
act as my intermediary You doubt
less know Mrs Martini
Intimately"
"You can impart to her my plan,
baslng 1t on my former acquaintance
with her husband. Arrange II so that
young Martin lives with me for a
month. Will feel him out, test his
capabilities and If he completely fills
my ideal, we need go no further and
Stanley Willis need not know that he
was In the selectlve list. You think
you can meet my wishes In this af-
fair7"
"Without doubt" assured the law.
yer. 81 know both the young men and
they are models Of their class. Ar.
thur Martin has a great longing for a
thorough education and will make an
able man. Stanley Willis is inclined
towards invention and has quite O
clientele requiring electrical work tC
be done. You could not have chosen
more deserving and promising candl
dates for your favor"
Arthur started in on his probation
His mother and his sister, Luella, were
greatly delighted to realize that the
ambition of his life to become great
scholar was about to be realized. Fol
n month Mr.. Thomas and his protege
got along famously.
Then, one unfortunate day, the
twain got into a political argument
Alas for Arthur's future. They al.
most came to blows, for, being fairly
beaten in the discussion, Mr.. Thomas
packed Arthur home and sent word
for Stanley to come on. Now Stanley
was close friend Of Arthur, because
he loved his sister. Furthermore he
was earning n good living.
Don't worry, Luella," he said to the
disappointed sister Of Arthur. "I'l
guarantee this whimsical old man will
soon Danish me and call back Arthur
The old man missed Arthur after ht
had gone away. He had discovered
many fine qualities in the young man
but the political faith of Mr.. Thoma;
was nearly as strong as his religion
Come to think of 1t, however, as III
cooled down he realized that he ha(
acted arbitrarily and came near send
ing word to the lawyer not to have
Stanley come on.
But Stanley came, and with pur
pose. He "blew in" at daybreak. Mr.
Thomas heard of him before noon. Hi
latest protege was tearing up tn,
town" Thomas found him at the hOte
treating lettering crowd to cigars
boasting of wild freaks as lbs dali,
amusement, and telling how he wa
TO become the adopted son Of "a ricl
old guy" whose cash he would keep II
rapid circulatiOnl
When Stanley Willis Joined hi
amazed patron, he greeted him famIl
Iarly as a hail-felIow well met. II
| forced an argument upon the old maj
| ot their first talk, and 1eered at hin
and knocked about the opinions of hi
patron in a way that, by comparison
tended to make Arthur an angel o
light.
am have my jolly chums get up
party on us next week." he began.
mo, you can go back home. II
nav YOU to-" stated the old man. "Yo
| won't 90 III an, uih ptuhity tuuChIe'
Mt his purpose accomplished.
Arthur was sent for the next day t
resume his studies and harmonious re
lations re-established.
"Oh, StanIeyW said Luella, "he'
could you cast aside the chance Of
lifetime, just because you liked Al
thurf'
"Well, you see" observed Arthur
with a glance that made pretty Luell