The Owosso times., 1921-04-29
A Successful
Failure
20. 1921. Western Newspaper union.)
BY WILLIAM FALL

| men were eraSng the sign, TalcOtt
& Co., Stocks and Bonds" from the
| glttering plate glass windows. He
passed the elevator starter, who halted
him by gently catching his arm.
"Pve neard of it, Mr.. TalcOtt," he
said, his voice quivering. "Sir, my
wife didn't sleep all night over it. She
| says there's room for you under
the roof you helped us save all your
life long, If you'll take it."
'"Thank you," nodded the broker.
"Tell your wife it's such people as you
that make man think there's some
good in the world"
Men turned and noted the tall, grace
full figure as Talcott passed. There
was always something royal in his
bearing. Even with Failure" written
that day against his business career,
dauntess courage showed in his
kindly, steady eye.
TalcOtt had brought half a dozen
letters from the Office. He opened
them in turn. Five were of no conse-
quence. The last one startled him.
his, James Gregory, living in another
city, had died leaving him his entire
estate-"apply at once to Dockkery &
Bates, attorneys"
Twenty-four hours later the senior
member of that firm escorted the
broker to a secluded city court In
the center of a vacant lot stood
large covered wagon. 1t had windows
like house and was divided into
three living compartments. Seated
On the grass reading from school
books were three small boys. Near
cen. She was sewing and four little
girls were copying her industry.
"Mr Gregory has left you two
horses and that wagon. with all hands
included" said the lawyer, grimly. I'm
addition, here Is the deed already re-
corded in your name, to a six hundred
and forty acre tract of wild land
hundred miles from here, up near the
plneries."
"And this is my legacy" murmured
the perplexed Talcott.
Exactly. Miss Gregory will explain
the Details" and the lawyer left him.
TalcOtt advanced towards the young
lady and introduced himself. He
fancied he had never seen so kindly
and peaceful face. Her simple story
was soon told. Her dead father, an
eccentric, had taken in charge, gradu-
ally, some homeless orphans. For
them and herself he had worked, trav-
cling about the country in the wagon
and doing odd Jobs as a tinker.
When the broker asked her as to
her plans for the future, she only |
looked helplessly and pathetically at
him.
They talked for over an hour. Blunt |
ly Talcott told Of his real situation.
He suggested plan. He needed rest; |
a change, the doctors had said. Here
1t was, ready made to order. They
would go to "the farm" as he called |
it. 1t was their only tangible in |
heritance.
Talcott went to sleep that night |
feeling the great load of broken past |
lifted from his mind. The odd, the |
new, the unknown life attracted him.
He awoke with a headache the next |
The reaction had come. BY |
noon he had fever, by nightfall
was delirious.
For him the next 20 days were a
blank. He awoke to find himself,
weak and emaciated, lying on a bed
In the boys end Of the wagon Tai
cOtt tried to arise. He sank back
weakly with a groan. Instantly from
the wagon living room a light form
came into view. 1t was Miss Gregory.
Wonder-eyed and grateful, Talcott
learned how the brave little woman
had nursed him, and carried out the
plan Of the journey TO "the farm"
Here they were, the children industri-
)us and happy, and oh such grand
'Orture, and her eyes danced as she
old him Of It.
"A railroad is building right through
your section" she explained, land the
wagon stands on the new town site.
man has been here daily to see you
bout selling him some Of the prop
.rty."
The man appeared next day. He
ooked Talcott over shrewdly. Then
le said:
II see you are keen business man,
% I'll talk sense. am a land specula-
or. I'll give you ten thousand dol
ars for quarter section, and fifty
'er cent Of what l make on another
uarter section selling town lots"
"You mean," replied the broker
emily, twenty thousand dollars and
twenty-five per cent"
Il guess I've figured wrong" said
he speculator. you're up to snuff.
Veil, I'm ready to trade" :
"And what is your plan now, Mr..
'alcott?" asked the motherly guar
ian of the little coterie of children
few days later. "You are almost !
n. T.. %