Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1919-01-15
CHAPTER TX.
I Meet President Van 6uren and Am
Cross Examined by Mr. Grimshaw.

some of them were most Irlenuty. l
had a swift foot and good eye as
we'll as a strong arm, and could hold
my own at three old cat-a kind of
baseball which we played in the
schoolyard Saturday came. AS we
xere sitting down at the table that
morning the younger children clung
% the knees of Mr. Hacket and
,egged him to take them up the river
a boat.
Good Lord What wilt thou give
when grow childless?" he cx-
lned with his arms around them.
''That was the question Of Abraham,
and it often Genes to me. OF course
we shall go. But bark! Let us hear
what the green chair has to say"
There was moment Of silence and
then he went on with merry laugn.
fright We are, Michael Henry! You
are always right, my boy-God bless
your SOUL We shall take Bart with
us an doughnuts an cheese an cook
les en- dried meat for ALL"
From that moment l date the be-
ginning Of my love for the occupant
of the green cilair in the home of MI
chael Hacket. Those good people were
Catholics and Protestant and yet
this Michael Henry always insisted
upon the most delicate consideration
for my faith and feelings.
81 promised to spend the morning
in the field with Mr.. Wright, If may
have your consent, sir" | said.
"Then we shall console ourselves,
knowing that you are in better COM
pany," said Mr.. Hacket.
Mr.. Dunkeiberg called at the house
in Ashery lane to see me after
breakfast.
"Bart, If you will come with me l
should like to order some store clothes
and boots for you," he said in his
squeaky voice.
For moment l knew not how to
answer him. Nettled as had been by
Sally's Treatment of me, the offer was
like rubbing ahes on the soreness OF
my spirit.
| blushed and surveyed my garments
and said:
Il guess | look pretty bad, don't II"
"You look all right, but | thought
maybe you would feel better in softer
raiment, especially If you care to go
around much with the young people. |
am an old friend of the family and l
guess 1t would be proper for me to
buy the clothes for you. When you
are older you can buy suit for me,
some time, If you care to-"
Ii should be understood that we'll
to-do people In the towns were more
particular about their dress those
days than now.
"Tll ask my aunt and uncle about
IT." proposed.
"Thats all right" he answered. "I'm
going to drive TO your house this after
noon and your uncle wishes you to
go with me. We are all to have a talk
with Mr.. Grimshaw."
He left me and l went over to Mr..
Wright's.
They told me that he was cutting
corn in the back lot, where l found
him.
"Mr. Dunkelberg came this morning
and wanted to buy me some new
clothes and boots" l said.
The senator stopped work and stood
looking at me with his hands upon his
hips.
Il wouldn't let him do it If were
you, he said thoughtfully.
Just then saw young man come
running toward us in the distant field.
MIR. Wright took out his compass.
Look here" he said, you see the
needle points due north.'
He took lodestone out Of his
pocket, and holding ii near the COM
pass moved 1t back and forth. The
needle followed it.
The young man came up to us
breathing deeply. Perspiratlon was
rolling off his face. He was much ex-
cited and spoke with some difficulty.
Senator Wright" he gasped, "Mrs.
Wright sent me down to tell you that
President Van Buren is at the house"
l remember wildly the look of mild
amusement in the senator's face and
the serene calmness with which he
looked at the young man and said to
him:
Tell Mrs. Wright to make him com.
Portable in our easiest chair and 10
say to the president that / shall be up
directly"
To my utter surprise he resumed his
talk with me as the young man went
away.
You see all ways are north when
you put this lodestone near the
needle he went on. "If II Is to tell
you the truth you must keep the lode.
stone away from the needle. It's that
way too, with the compass Of your
soul, partner There the lodestone is
se'hshness and with Its help you can
make any direction look right to YOU
and soon-you're lost"
lie bound the last bundle and then
we w walked together toward the house,
the senator carrying his sickle.
4 Shall Introduce you to the presi-
dent he said as we neared our des.
unatOn. Then perhaps you had bet
ter leave u.s."
could not remember that I had
ever been 'introducedr to anvhodv