The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1919-10-22

2. e..
time, she said, and I dreaded the mot
ment. Jim, think lot Of you. You're
very clever, but-there's one thing, a
tremendous big thing, lacking in you.
ia physical power, or the ability TO-
control physical power. You may have
a great mind. but you are puny physic-
ally. admire strength. ! admire
power If you we're only like-like
that steam shovel there, tearing away
at the earth, crushing all resistance. l
could be happy with you. Some day
there1I be mammoth building there
where the machine is working.
81 can't help It, Jim, ana probably
1t seems foolish to you; but l must
tell you, no matter how 1t hurts, that
| Il YOU were the engineer on that steam
shovel you would stand much bet
ter chance with me than you would as
lawyer. AT least, you would be earn
ing money with your strength, for the
man that operates the shovel must be
strong
az confess that little speech floored
me. We started to walk away, but a
wagon arrived, and the steam shovel
started operations again, and Cassie
/ had to watch it some more l stran-
gled, gulped and finally managed to
say, weakly:
eyes, and some day I'll have an Of
flee in that mammoth building.
THAT was the last time ! was ever
with her. With mingled disgust, Bit
terness and sadness went back to
college and finished my course. ]
came home with my diploma and 1t was
not long before 1 began to win sue
cess-success such as il is. I'm max
ing aood as a criminal lawyer. I'M
winning victories right along in court,
but when 1t comes to finances / admit
I'm not overburdened. have few
thousand in the bank and I'm making
more every day, but I'll never be rich.
Perhaps l would save more If had an
incentive-like that steam shovel en-
gineer has"
"You mean" l broke in, my eyes
popping with establishment.
Eyes, l mean that Cassie somehow
got acquainted with the engineer Of
the steam shovel and married him.
She took that man, grlmy and ignor-
ant, who worked with his hands, in
stead OF me, clean and educated, who
lived with my brains"
Glenquist's cigar had gone out, and
he rose and went across the room to a
shelf where he kept matches. His
cigar stand, at his elbow as he sat and
talked, was never known to hold a
match, although there was place for
box Of them. He took a few puffs
and came back to the chair.
We'll, at least made good on my
boast that some day would have an
loffice in the skyscraper that was go
(! ing up where the shovel was eScavat-
IAng," he observed.
He leaned back and looked dream
lily into nicotine cloud.
at seems the engineer was rather
lclever in way, at that" he contin-
ued "At least he knew how to save
coin, and somehow he managed to in
vest 1t advantageously."
He rose and went to the window,
looking down on the traffic which
slowly was being obliterated by gath
ering darkness.
Come here" he said, and when l
, had obeyed, he pointed at big yellow
automobile Just coming to stop at
the curb in front of the building.
"Its the owner Of the building" he
explained. HE usually collects my
rent on this day Of the month. He's
coming at rather late hour, but he's
pretty sure he'll find me here"
We returned to our chairs, and Glen
! quist partook Of few puffs on his
cigar.
"Rell be up here in q minute" he
said, land l wish you'd observe him
closely. He's the man I've been talk
ing about-Cassie's husband"