The Meeker herald. [volume] (Meeker, Colo.) 1885-current, 1920-05-15
The Test Of
Time
40
D ALvAH JORDAN GARTH

tcsDysishe. 1919. ~ the Weston Nsws-
Gerard Massey. the bad boy Of the
village, was explaining the crime Of
some one who had fired an apple at
farmer Warmers horse and gig, pre-
.cipitatinS . runaway. Gerard was
Asqujrmisg In the powerful grasp Of
~ outraged agriculturallst and.
>keeH with pain and resentment.
X krted most under the realization
Vat half dozen Of his comrades at
distance were witnesses Of his casti-
cation. Nearer by little Enie Warner
his true friend. though a sorrowful
mourner over his constant escapades.
was sobbinE a. though her heart
would break.
The farmer had snatched up heavy
leather strap and doubled 1t to rain
the stinging blows on Gerard's shout
ders. At length he gave Gerard fling
and the strap after him.
There. young mani" he painted.
There's more In store for you II you
come meddling about my place again."
n could kill youi" Missed out Ger.
ard In Wild paroxysm Of rage. II
hate ron, and I'll raise crowd and
hang you to tree with this very
strapv" He seized 1t as he spoke. Ger.
ard. gaining grove just beyond the
farmhouse, flung himself down. his
mind tempest tossed with thoughts Of
direful revenge.
.rll keep this strap" he declared.
"r1i face that man with II sometime
when the odds are equal" He was an
orphan and his life with distant rel
alive had few charms to hold him to
Rushville. He was in disgrace. he had
been whipped publicly A Eeptler splr.
itscame to hin 40 he thought Of Enc.
He left Rushvills that night. His
last act was to indite rude pencilled
scrawl to Ehie. II shall never forget
you." he wrote. "and you have been
kind to me like an own sister. but
will never forgive your father. I new
e threw the apple. Think I'll give
away my friends. thought I'm going
away to make my living and grow big
enough to some day make your father
ray for dissracing me-"
Gsrard's plans for the future were
vague. It seemed. however. that for.
tune favored the homeless lad from
the start. Ten miles from Ruahvtlle
10 was overtaken By man driving
a. automobile. He looked pale and
weakly a. he hailed the foot traveller.
"Are you going fart" he inquired.
sAnywhere to get work." responded
Gerard.
"I'll hire you. I am on = I'VE hun
dred mile trip to Chicago and am an
an invalid. can manage the wheel
well enough, but II exhausts me to
get out of the machine. I'll pay you
well to attend to the various little
chores for me-yes, and maybe find
you further work when we reach the
city"
They later went to large hotel for
the night and Gerard slept on a cot
in the room occupied by his employer
ready for any service required. II vas
Just after midnight when Gerard
aroused to dread alarm. The room
was Oiled with smoke. beyond the win
dow was a glare. yells and screams
echoed through the building. He ran
to the door and tore It open. Beyond
q roaring mass Of flames presented.
ave are hedged In from below; our
only chance II by the window" said
Gerard. but glance there was scarce
" encouraging. His invalid charge
was practically helpless. Quick witted
IN action, however. Gerard followed
out the only desperate plan In view.
After he had accomplished this he
could scarcely credit the details. Five
feet below was a jutting section Of
roof. still further below that WAS the
protecting cornice Of an adjoining
building. The strap was the only
medium Gerard could adopt first to
lower his companion. But for this fraii
strand Of life both would have per-
ished.
Endeared to him by his courage and
daring the invalid took up Gerard as
a protege. Five years later when the
former died he left Gerard large
business. and the emotions and I'm
pulses Of the latter drifted into the
mature experience Of the successful
business man.
.sThe strap has brought me luck
many q time" meditated Gerard. "But
for It would never have left home,
but for It / would have lost my life
at the hotel nre. What a wild hater
I was Of old John Warner in those
days. and wonder what has become
Of little Efne."
Ono day there came to his desk
. young lady. Difhdently she told that
she had applied for position to the
manager subject to the approval Of
his employer. As Gerard looked up
1.-THE past suddenly burst upon his as.
tor,ished vision. Then the applicant
started and the light Of recognition
came into her face.
Gerard gently spoke her name AMI