The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1922-12-04

AAo4S d IOL OIL Drains III 6aSSSIL
head; you've noticed it?"
TITS admitted, I believe, that he's
a man of ability" said Dan little
colby.
Thatcher grinned.
You're all right, Harwood. I know
you're all right or Mort wouldn' t
have put you in here. I'm rather
kicking myself that didn't see you
first
MIR. Bassett has given me a chance
I'd begun to fear I shouldn't get;
you see, I'm studying law here. Mr..
Bassett has made that possible. He's
the best friend ever had"
That's good. Bassett usually picks
winners. From what I hear of you
and what I've seen thing you're all
right myself. My boy has taken quite
a great fancy. to you"
Thatcher looked at the end of his
cigar and waited for Dan to reply.
I've grown very fond of Allen.
He's very unsual; he's full Of sur
prises."
That boy" said Thatcher, point
ing his cigar at Dan, rs the great
est boy in the world; but, damn it
all, don't make him out"
We'll. he's different; he's an ideal
list I'm not sure that he isn't a
philosopher
Thatcher nodded, as though this
were q confederation of his own sur
misses.
He is; by George. he is! Damn It.
took him to see a glassworHs the
other day; thought it would appeal to
his sense Of what you call the pic
turesque; but, Lord bless me, he
asked how much the blowers were
paid and wanted me to raise their
pay on the spot. That was one on
me, all right; I'd thought OF giving
him the works to play with, but I
didn't have the nerve to offer It to
him after that 'Fraid he'd either
turn It down or take It and bust me. :"
Thatcher had referred to this Incl.
dent with unmistakable pride; he was
evidently amused rather than cha
grined by his sons scorn OF the gift
of a profitable industry.
'T suppose" continued Thatcher
dryly. that If he'd been an underdog
the way 1 was he'd be more tickled at
a chance to sit on top. When 1 wore
overalls It wasn't funny. Well, what
am going TO do with him?"
IF you really want me TO tell you
I'd say to let him alone He's a per
fectly clean, straight. high-minded
boy. II he were physically strong
enough I should recommend him TO
go TO college. late as it is for him: or
better, to a school where he would
really satisfy what seems to be his
sincere ambition to learn to do
something with his hands. But he's
all right as he Is. You ought to be
glad that his aims are so whole
some. There are sons of prosperous
men right around here who see every
thing red"
That boy" declared Thatcher.
pride and love surging In him, is as
clean as wheat
Quite so; no one could know him
without loving him. And don't mind
saying that I find myself in accord
with many OF his ideas"
sort Of damned idealist yourself?"
81 should blush to say It," laughed
Dan; but I feel my heart warming
when Allen gets to soaring sometimes;
he expresses himself with great Wv
idness. He goes after me hard on
my laissezfaire notions"
II take the count and throw up the
spongeF
"Oh, that's a chestnut that means
merely that the underdog had better
stay under II he can't fight his way
out"
1T seems tough when you boil II
down to that; I guess maybe Aliens
right-we all ought to divide up.
I'm willing. only"-and he grinned
quizzically-"I'm paired with Mort
Bassett"
The light in his cigar had gone out;
he swung round and faced the map OF
Indiana above Morton Bassettt's desk.
fumbling in his waistcoat for a match.
When he turned toward Harwood
again he blew smoke rings media
lively before speaking.
IF you're one of these rotten ideal
lists, HARDWOOD, what are you doing
here with Bassett? II that amt a
fair question, don't answer tt
Harwood was taken aback by the
directness Of the question. Bassett
had always spoken of Thatcher with
and he resented the new d.
rection given to this conversation In
own office. Dan straight
ened himself with dignity, but before
he could speak Thatcher laughed, and
famed the smoke OF his cigar away
with his hands.
II suppose I'm the only man In In
diana that amt afraid OF Mort Bias
sett," he announced casually. TITS
because Mort knows I amt afraid Of
him that we get on so well together
You've been with him long enough
by this time to know that we have
some interests together"
Dan, with his fingers interlocked
behind his head, nodded carelessly, He
had grown increasingly resentful of
tone and manner, and was
to be rid of him.
Morris a good deal closer-mouthed
than am. Mort likes to hide his
tracks-better than that, by George,
Mort doesn't make any tracks! Well.
every man is bound to break a twig
now and then as he goes along. BY
George, tear down the trees like an
elephant so they can't miss mey'
AS Dan made no reply to this
Thatcher required in a moment to
Allen and Harwood's annoyance
passed. It was obvious that the
capitalist had sought this interview to
talk Of the boy. to make sure that
HARDWOOD was sincerely interested in
him. Thatcher's manner OF speak
ing Of his son was kind and affection
ate. The introduction OF Bassett In
TO the discussion had heen nrIreIY In.