Vernon Parish Democrat. (Leesville, La.) 1917-193?, 1920-04-24
"A SILENT
PROPAGANDA
By oTlLLIA F. PFEIFFER


Mrs. Jason Brown lived in the show
mansion of the town in Alton Ter
race. Her sister, Mrs. Ernest Parks
more humbly resided in a modest lit
tie cottage in ArbOr Place. The for
mer conceived herself to be the social
queen of Brampton. The latter was
content to be able to clOthe herself
and her family respectfully and pay
the household bills when due.
The Browns lived high through the
sufferance of Miss Althea Driscoll,
their niece, and floated along on cred
it. All Brampton knew the cireum-
stances of their rise in the world so
cially. A brother of Mrs. Brown and
Mrs. Parks had died leaving a fine
home and quite a fortune to an or
phan daughter. He had appointed Mr..
Brown executor of the estate and, on
account of his sister, a very liberal
guardian of Althea. The sequence
was that the Browns moved from
modest quarters into the Driscoll man.
sion rent free, and were lavish in
expenditures, as they all came out of
the estate.
AT once Mrs. Brown began to bloom
forth as devotee of fashion and so
ciety. She grouped about her a spe-
cial clique, feted and Toasted them and
the humble Parks family, not being
considered eligible for admission to
the charmed circle, were practically
ignored.
Not that they minded it much, for
they were not of the kind that flaunt-
ed in false colors. Then, besides, they
had the love and confidence of Althea
She was bright, heartsome girl, and
very soon saw through the thin veneer
of her guardians. They had tried in
vain to induce her to treat the Parks
people as interiors, but nothing could
spoil her. There was scarcely a day
that she did not pass a part of it in
the company of her favorite aunt and
her little ones.
For two years Althea had been
away at a select seminary, and this
gave the Browns an opportunity to
spread out more than ever. Their
guardianship was nearly at an end,
according to the terms of the will, and
those who professed to know limited
that Jason Brown was growing quite
reckless in his use of the Driscoll re
sources. One day a fine looking, gen.
tlemanly appearing young man came
to BramptOn whose evident good
breeding and courteous ways commend
ed him on sight as San eligible" by the
Brown set. It was reported that he
was sent on the mission of looking up
some law matters. He lived at the
best hotel and had an automobile, but
made the mistake Of his life, as Mrs.
Brown gave 1t out, by taking up with
the Parks people. Once he was seen
taking the tired-Out Mrs. Parks and
the children out for a regular airing,
he fell many degrees in the favor Of
the social queen of Brampton.
"A very presentable young man." OBJ
served that critical lady to her close
friends" and 1 understand he comes
from creditable family; but we must
draw the line strictly"
"Why, what do you mean?". was in
Quired.
''He seems to favor the Parks con-
tingent. OF course, they are my rela-
tives, but they do not belong in our
class. Mr.. Throop seems to enjoy
their company and that of their kind,
and have cancelled an invitation to
him to my next reception, not caring
to take any risks"
ooh, dear, no! Selectness in every
thing, dear Mrs. Brown" was sub
mitted, and to others, when inquiries
were made concerning the newcomer,
Mrs. Brown simply looked mysterious
and shrugged her shoulders. This was
the cue to her servile followers, and
Sidney Throop was ignored purely
through a systematic propaganda Of
silence.
81 think it your duty, Jason, to probe
and resent the mysterious operations
VI TITO JONAAS man. ObGNA NCN NAA
Brown to her husband. 'What bust
ness he has looking into our affairs?"
'Pll give him a piece of my mind"
was the re5oinder, and the next day
Sidney Throop, doing some writing at
a desk in his attorneys office. was
by Jason Brown with the
words:
'''Pve come to find out why you are
inquiries about my private at
fairs"
Throop arose and closed the Office
door ITO save you trouble, if you
must know" he answered, 81 have been
acting in behalf of your niece, who
has authorized me to gather up in
formation looking to a cancellation Of
your powers as administrator"
Jason Brown turned pale. "How is
that your businessT he clustered.
"Just this: to make 1t easy for you
to resign without the public being ap-