Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1921-10-27
His Fright Hand
Man"
By DOROTHY WHITCoMB
% 1874, Western Newspaper union.J


60 1874, Western Newspaper union.)
After five years of hard work WIN.
fred Ashton walked down the steps of
the neat little factory he had dom
mated, ruined man. The plant was
in the hands of receiver, and he was
a bankrupt.
Wardells had done this ardells,
the upstairs, the business pirates. The
elder of that firm had been taken in
Off the street penniless by Ashton, had
been given work, had learned the
secrets of the business, and had gone
out to exploit them on his own ac-
count. The rival house manufactured
a counting machine. In some way
Wardell had secured the sole right TO
manufacture machine the sale of
which was Ashton's chief source of
revenue. Trade fell off. Wardells
spread and fourished like a green ban
yam tree. Ashton & Co. went down
hill, fast
And now-ruin! Reckoning up anx-
iously, Wilfred had found that the
plant and his other resources would
pay Off about seventy-five per cent of
the debts. He reached the office of
his lawyer, detected and hopeless.
eve have an offer for the assets in
bulk" explained the attorney. 1T Will
square the secured Indebtedness en-
tirely. 1t will also take care Of all the
other liabilities, except about two
thousand dollars"
IF / could only reach that!" ex-
claimed Wilfred. 1T is those creditors,
small, struggling firms, that need their
money. Is there no way l can reach
this deficitT
"a way has been opened" announced
the lawyer, "a remarkable one. There
is the list of the unsecured creditors"
and he pushed over a written page,
land here is two thousand, handed to
me by brother attorney, represent
ing mysterious client who does not
wish to be known"
you amaze me-" cried Wilfred, his
face shining, his eyes filling with
grateful tears. "Who could have done
me this kind act?"
Wilfred signed the l. o. U. extended
to him by the lawyer. His heart
seemed singing within him.
He was treading air as he left the
lawyers Office.
His face frightened when he was
home again, with thoughts Of the true,
loyal persons who had been not only
his employees, but his friends Miss
Bonneyl His heart gladdened as he
recalled the occasion, three years be-
fore, when he had given this poor,
friendless girl, a position In his office.
Her gratitude, urging the most de-
voted service, had made him respect
and value her. She had been "his
rlght-hand man."
Wilfred found her In neat, modest
cottage, her aged mother its house
keeper. She blushed and paled, and
looked wistful and then trembled, as
he handed her the money. Her eyes
glowed sympathetically with his own
when he told of, his unknown bene-
factor.
81 shall not forget the most helpful
assistant / ever had. when / get on
my feet again." said Wilfred brightly.
81 am very sorry to see you out Of
employment"
"Oh, / shall soon find new posi-
ton" declared Amy.
at seems to me that / am receiving
nothing but blessing in my own dark
est hour" replied Wilfred, knowingly.
"There is another thing" said Amy.
"You remember Mr.. Judson, the old
inventor who was hurt at your plant?
You pensIoned him off, you know. Ever
since then he has been trying to
invent a new counting machine. L
that is, / have encouraged him. He
was here yesterday, and he is sure,
oh, so very sure, that he is near TO
perfecting his invention"
Two evenings later a messenger
brought Wilfred note. asking him
to call at the home of Miss Bonney.
When he arrived he found old Abel
Judson there.
"Iye made 1t !" cried the inventor
enthusiastically. my invention is per
fected--a counting machine that Will
drive Wardells out of the field"
Only one thing would the inventor
agree to--that Wilfred was to become
his partner. In three months capital
was found, in six the old plant was
running again. At the end Of the
year Wilfred and Amy were man and
wife.
II am making money so fast" he
said to his happy helpmate one eve
ming, that ! will be able to pay up
the two thousand dollars SO gener.
ously given me when l failed"
Amy reached within her pocket. She
drew out a scrap Of paper. In amaze
ment Wilfred regarded the l. o. U.
Don't you understand" she cried
in delight, and tore the document to
scraps-'pald !"
"YOu-you furnished that money!"
exclaimed the dumfounded Wilfred.
"Yes, my all for you, the bravest.
truest friend / ever knew" repliel
Amy raptly, "and now the dearest.
best husband in all the worldi'