Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1920-07-29
nNrea me n:a * -.

| nefeu the n;s,cs-..
Au,.:5l4,al1,e news of the corner
went out over the land. The name OF
Daniel Randolph Fitzhugh doomed
gigantic on the financial horizon. He
| controlled all the wheat. He could
exact for it whatever price he wanted.
If he chose, he could get fifty dollars
| bushel.
He was the King of Wheat.
His name became a household word.
Scarcely a man, woman, or child in the
middle West but prattled of him. The
farmers lauded HIM as a benefactor of
humanity. Others condemned him as
a THIEF. Thousands of letters of every
| description flooded his mail. Loaves
of bread dwindled in size. Mutterlngs
reached him. His life was threatened.
His wealth multiplied with prodi-
gious leaps. AT no time could he tell
how much he was worth. He knew it
was more han fifteen millions and less
than thirty.
Then there came day when he was
to settle with Otis. The defeated
gladiator made the appointment for
eleven O'Clock that morning in Fitz-
huGh's office.
At five minutes to eleven Fitzhugh
was alone awaiting him. He had given
orders that none but Otis was to be
admitted, and that afterward they
were not to be disturbed. AS he lolled
back in his cushioned chair before the
mahogany desk, and gaZed round the
luxurious room, a reverie came over
him. He recalled his first venture in
wheat, made with a few thousands
won in poker game; he remembered
the time he had worked for Quigg for
four hundred dollars a month. And
then, his memory slipping his control
and leaping back further still, he
thought of the time when-No Had
he been d.shwasher? Had he shaved
in the sculery of filthy kitchen for a
miserable weekly pittance?
The door opened. Symington Otis
entered.
In these days of his monarchy Fitz-
hugh saw many sorts of characters eS.
posed raw and naked to his gaze He
saw men come cringing to him. begging
and pleading. He saw others enter,
clustering and trying to OUTAGE him.
OTIS behaved in neither manner. He
walked in quietly. and, closing the
door, remained standing, with no greet.
ing whatsoever. He looked ten wears
older than his actual age. Fitzhugh
returned to his chair. The silence had
lasted fully half minute before he
spoke.
ut has been agreed, Mr.. Otis, that
shall deal with you as see tit."
Otis nodded. He do not speak,
my rule has been to give no quar-
ter and ask none. \ see no reason why
your case should mark an exception.
see every reason why it should not.
For eight years or more your hand has
been against me. You have opposed
my ventures, DISTRACTED my PATH him
dered me in every way"
Il came here" interjected Otis cold
ly, ito talk business; not to discuss
our personal affairs"
and we are going to discuss those
affairs. Mr.. Otis"-Fitzhugh rose. and,
with his hands resting ON the desk in
front of him, leaned toward his visitor,
who now stood opposite-"I will let
you out of my corner on only one con-
dition."
(Which isl"
THAT you tell your daughter
you need not go further! l will
consider nothing that involves my fam
ily."
"Then you refuse to deny to her"
"Absolutely"
the preposterous falsehood you
repeated?"
II repeated no falsehood. 1t was the
truth"
ut was a lie! The woman is dead
now and | shall saw NOTHING against