Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1918-06-14

ened.
It was not the effect Of his report
concerning the firms Improbable Gu
ban connections which he feared
Samuel Carter could take calmly the
most disturbing financial reverse-it
was the blow to his pride at learning
that anybody could prefer another girl
to his daughter. Johnnie shook his
shoulders and stamped his feet, but
the chill in his bones refused to go.
He went to meet his employer as a
man marches to execution.
His heart sank further at the well
come he received, for the importer
gave him veritable embrace; he pat
ted him on the back and inquired three
times as to his health. O'Reilly was
anything but cold now; he was perspir-
ing profusely, and he felt his collar
growing limp. To shatter this old mans
eager hopes would be like kicking
child in the face. Carter had never
been so enthusiastic, so demonstra-
tive; there was something almost the
atrical in his greeting.
"Well, my boy, you made fizzle of
it, didn't you?" The tone was almost
complimentary.
eyes, sir, I'm bright and shining
failure"
"Now, don't yes, sir me. We're
friends, aren't we? Good! Under
stand, I don't blame you in the least
it's that idiotic revolution that spoiled
our business. You did splendidly, I'M
der the circumstances"
'They have reason enough to re-
volt-oppression, tyranny, corruption"
O'Reilly mumbled the familiar words
in a numb paralysis at Mr.. Carriers jO-
vial familiarity.
Gall Latin countries are corrupt"
announced the mporter-"always have
been and always will be. They thrive
under oppression. However, dare say
this uprising won't last long"
Johnnie wondered why the old man
didn't get down to cases. "It's more
than an uprising, sir" he said. "The
rebels have overrun the east end of
the island, and when left Maceo and
Gomez were sweeping west"
"Bah! 1t takes money to run war"
''They have money" desperately ar
gued O'Reilly. "Marti raised more
than a million dollars, and every Gu
ban cigar maker in the United States
gives a part of his wages every week
to the cause. The best blood of Cuba
is in the fight. Spain is about busted !;
she can't stand the strain"
81 predict they'll quit fighting as
soon as they get hungry. The govern
ment is starving them out. However,
they've wound up our affairs for the
time being, and" Mr.. Carter care
fully shifted the position of an inkwell,
a calendar and paper knife-"that
brings us to consideration of your
and my affairs, doesn't it? Ahem !!
You remember our bargain? I was to
give you a chance and you were to
make good before you-er-planned
any-er-matrimon foolishness with
my daughter"
eyes, sir O'Reil1y felt that the
moment had come for his carefully re-
hearsed speech, but, unhappily, he
could not remember how the swan
song started. Mr.. Carter, too, was I'M
accountably silent. Another moment
| dragged past, then they chorused.
81 have an unpleasant"
Each broke off at the echo of his
own words.
whats that?' inquired the i'm
porter.
| 'No-nothing. You were saying"
81 was thinking how lucky it is that
| you and Elsa waited. Hmm! Very
| fortunate" Again Mr.. Carter rear
ranged his desk fittings. eve some
times differ, Elsa and I, but when she
sets her heart ON thing I see that
| she gets it, even if I think she Oughtn't
| to have it, What's the use of having
children if you can't spoil 'em, eh?"
| He looked up with a sort of reSentful
| challenge, and when his listener ap-
peared to agree with him he sighed
| with satisfaction. early marriages
are silly-but she seems to think other
| wise. Maybe she's right. Anyhow
| she's licked me. I'm done. She wants
to be married right away, before we
go west. That's why ] waited to see
you at once. You won't object, will
| you? We men have to take our medi-
cine"
''It's quite out Of the question, y
| stammered the unhappy O'Reilly.
"Come, come! It's tough on you,
know, but" Johnnie had a Mortified
vision of himself being dragged unwil-
lingly to the altar. ELISA is going to
have what she wants, if I have to break
something. If you'll be sensible I'll
stand behind You like a father and
teach you the business. I'm getting
old, and Ethebert could never learn
1t. Otherwise" The old mans jaw
set; his eyes began to CLEAN angriiy.
'Who is-Ethelbert?'' family in
quired O'Reilly.
"Why dammit He's the fellow I've
been telling you about. He's not SO
bad as he sounds; he's really nice
boy
ELSA is in love with another man?
Is that what you mean?"