Grainger County news. (Rutledge, Tenn.) 1917-current, 1919-10-09
Upside Down

By RAY FISHER

WA ASAuN ~ A''Ns7 Nf"0
that the ten-minute interview was at an
end but your quest is futile. can
not allow my daughter to marry a man
with no more alluring future thar the
one that confronts you"
But Weldon Miller did not move to-
ward the door of the bankers office,
disappointment showed on his clear
cut countenance, but through 1t gleam-
ed a hint of a smile, a somewhat deter
mined smile. lie creased his felt hat
carefully and asked:
Then there's no hope, Mr.. Seymour?
You know | love Ruth sincerely, and Its
not because of your financial standing,
either. It's just her l want, not your
money"
Mr.. Seymour paused In his march
across the room.
I'm really inclined to believe you
are sincere about that" he conceded,
lighting a cigar. However, that is not
the question. 1t is not so much that
you are not wealthy, but that you evil
IDENTIFY have not the re"sOtrcefulness,
the acumen to accumulate money. My
daughter must become the wife of a
successful man, and he must have the
goods to show that he is successful.
But you are n mail carrier, and while
it is an honest occupation and Il very
necessary one In the running of the
world, 1t is so prosaic, so devoid OF
thrills, so lacking in opportunity for
achievement that-well. no, | cannot
see much hope for you. You need not
tell me that Ruth loves you. be-
lieve she does, or thinks she does, but
she will forget you. Pm sorry | let the
matter go so far. | didn't realize that
her activities in entertaining service
men would lead to any such serious
affair"
I'm concrete terms, Mr.. Seymour"
said Weldon. lust what would you
require Of me TO make me eligible as
a son-in.law? I'm determined to meet
your requirements. Just tell me how
to go about it and I'll leave you"
This was a fair proposition, the
banker conceded.
"Sit down." he said abruptly, and
dropped into his W swivel chair.
I'm wasting time, but ! want to be
square. Here's the crux of the thing.
You're not on your feet, figuratively
speaking. You're upside down. Nine
young men out of ten are upside down;
they're like turtles Topped on their
backs. unable to make progress. Some
times a fellow will get on his feet over
night and then he can speed to the
heights of success. You're honest or
you wouldn't be carrying mail for a
living. You're too honest to succeed.
My advice may sound hard. but it's
the only recipe for success, Go after
the coin and get it. no matter how, SO
long as you don't run afoul of the law.
Use your brains put it over the other
fellow; grab his coin and your win
everybody's admiration, especially
your victims, to use a harsh but appli-
cable term. You'll find such a course
profitable and also thrilling; not hum
drum like carrying mail.
you ask for a plain business propo-
sition. Well, here it is. 1t sounds i'm
possible, and for you it probably is. If
you can come to me inside of two
weeks with a ten-thousand-dollar bank
account you can have Ruth and there'll
be no questions asked. 1t will prove
your resourcefulness. Good day"
Weldon Miller went to his boarding
house and spent the rest of the day
shut in his room, smoking and think.
ing. Early in the evening he appeared
to come to a decision, for he flung on
his coat and hat and took a street car
to the Second National bank. His
card brought quick action, for in a few
moments he was shaking hands with
the president of the institution. who
appeared to have seen no more thar
thirty years.
by George! I'm glad to see you
Weld" said the president, shaking his
visitors hand warmly. what can
do for you? Ever since | inherited
this soft job I've been trying to star
you in business, but you've always re
fused"
You can do something, all right
Ferd," said Weldon, accepting a long
brown cigar and a light. You can hell
turn me rightsice up. You know ole
man Seymour of the First State, DOM
you? Well, listen"
" =
If there vas one subject on which
Mr.. Horace Seymour was touchy il
was his courage. During his rather
adventurous career, before settling
down to become rich and rotund, ht
had hunted in the jungles of both Wal
street and Africa.
He had engaged in hot struggles
against brokers. with money as thu
object, and against wild beasts, will
life as the stake. He had never beer
afraid and he was proud of it. ii,
was in his prime, even if he did tip tn,
scales at PA. II eat danger" was hi.
boast.
Consequently, when the question O
courage in aeronautics came up at tn,
club one night he took a prominen'
part In the debate. He had read up OF
the subject more or less and assumed
the role of an authority.
ut takes nerve to fly" he admitted
"but not so much as | have been force,