The Elk Mountain pilot., 1921-02-03
In the Making
By FRANK coNDoN
tcopyriEht.J

CdSSOpOnS If small Town as tnese
lines are being written.
He came to the city on the Cannon
ball Accommodation, leaving Cassopo-
lis daily. except Sunday. His name
was Hector Moe.
In the smoking car Of the accommo-
dation an underwear salesman gazed
interestedly upon Hector Moe and en-
gagged him in conversation.
II am going to New, York to make
my fortune" Hector admitted. II
have always lived in Cassopolis, but
my talents fit me for an enlarged
sphere. l will admit that my appear
ance is that of a jay. And l have in
my pocketbook two hundred dollars"
"You want to be careful when you
get to New York." the underwear
salesman advised.
II shall take care Of myself, never
fear" replied Hector confidently.
Mr.. Moe was young. In q week he
had cast aside many of the rural gar
ments. He began to look upon the
twenty-five years he had lived In Cas-
sopolis as a misspent youth.
The hour was eight Of summer
evening. Standing on the corner with
a rapt look in his eyes. Hector OBJ
served stranger.
'This is surely a wonderful city"
the unknown began, noddIng toward
the crowded streets. You are q
stranger here?"
II have been here for some time"
Hector answered in a dignifed tone.
Sometimes" continued the stran-
ger, 81 find 1t difficult to select amuse-
ments. Don't you find 1t that wayr'
Hector smiled and nodded.
Tonight" said the man. becoming
more confidential. II have felt the
stirring Of an old spirit In my veins.
For some strange reason, feel i'm
PEELED tonight to daily with the white
ball. Do you happen to know any
place that is open?
mo" Hector answered. II know
very little of gambling"
'There was famous old room not
far from here" the man said thought
fully. II wonder If 1t might be open
tonight. Do you ever do anything in
that lineT"
II might do a little in that line"
hector answered.
Let us go down the street and see
II we can break into this place." said
the man jovially.
Fortunately enough, the distant
gambling-house door opened at the
name of the stranger.
"Mr. Briggs? Certainly you can
come in."
The gambling house proprietor took
Hector by the arm like one who had
known him for years. Champagne,
cigars and dainty salads were served.
The rooms were gorgeous in velvets
and silks. Some time during the eve
ming Mr.. Briggs disappeared.
The gambling-house men now pos
sessed the two hundred that had
come triumphantly from Cassopolis.
Stunned. and with his brain totally
paralyzed by the calamity. Hector
stumbled from the brightly lighted
room.
"Ohi" he moaned aloud "What
shall do" He turned and stared about
dumbly. Hector wished he was back
In Cassopolis.
From the depths, far below. came q
roaring sound, followed by the crash
Of falling glass; the overturning of
tables, and the banging of iron doors.
From the door below the spot where
Hector Moe sat mourning a thin.
stream Of highly excited citizens
poured into the hall and ran madly up
young man could remove himself from
their path fat, hard-breathing per-
son had dropped on his knees before
him.
"Lemme out of this !" he whlmpered.
The fat one thrust a handful of
bills toward Hector. Surprised beyond
measure. Hector took the bills. The
fat citizen ran lightly up the iron lad
der pushed open the scuttlc. and
crawled to the roof.
Still another man paused before him,
placed money In his hands, and as
cended to safety.
The last man in line was whimper-
ing outright.
"ohr he said. "ohl officer =
pleasev
Then Hector looked at him closely
and saw-Brigham p. Featherbone. the
owner of the fiour-and-feed store.
"Hector Noel" muttered Mr.. Feath-
erbone. For the sake of old acquaint-
ance hack in Cassopolis," begged the
culprit, "let me out of thisl Take
this"
He thrust another roll of bills to-
ward Mr.. Moe. but Hector scorned 1t
with wave of his hand.
NO." he answered sternly. II will
take no money from you. / will per-
NIT you to escape, and I will aid you.
Follow me up this ladder"
Hector skipped up the iron route,
followed by Cassopolis' leading flour
and-feeder.
go home" Hector advised. 'This