The Mellette County pioneer. [volume] (Wood, Mellette County, S.D.) 19??-1971, 1922-06-23
Observation-Disclosures
The Suppressed
Editorial
By CALVIN

Copyright, 1921, Western Newspaper Union

1.-The Alpaca Oil company, sir. Is
the biggest thing In Texas today said
Colonel Ware, looking up at Ormsby
from his plate Of asparagus. And
what is more, our friends believe In
us and are doing all they can to help
us-most of them"
There was no mistaking the chal'
lenge In the c~olonel's words. Ormsby
looked across the table at Mildred.
He was conscious that the colonel was
~covertly watching him all through the
remainder Of the meal.
Ormsby was assistant editor Of The
Financial Observer, q staid, accurate,
old-fashioned financial paper, with
fifty years Of undiminished reputation
behind II.
But other influences than money
may be at work In a mans mind.
Mildred Ware and Ormsby were
acknowledged lovers. And Colonel
Ware was a speculator-a spectacular
one. He had won and lost half a
dozen fortunes. Just now his whole
fortune was placed in Alpaca oil.
The observer" had delayed offer
ing its opinion upon this stock.
Ormsby knew that Mildred under.
stood the situation. They had loved
each other for two whole years.
Ormsby kissed her sJod-by and
went down to his Office with a heavy
heart. That editorial must be written
soon.
There's a man waiting to see you,
sir" said the Office boy as he entered,
show him in," said Ormsby, and q
moment later he was looking into the
face. of his visitor. The man was of
a type that Ormsby knew well and
instinctively distrusted.
1.-The Observer hasn't touched on
Alpaca oil yet, 1 notice." he said.
We'll, sirT
It's q swindle, isn't it?"
IF 1t were a swindle the Observer
would say So"
What would you say, young man, if
l was to prove that for nothing?" he
asked. "Old Ware did me a bad turn
once and I'd be glad enough to get
even with him."
81 should say that your facts were
probably malicious and Inaccurate"
said Ormsby.
Then look at that" said the man,
handing Ormsby a photograph
Taken three days ago by me, at the
risk of my life. They've put armed
guards round the oil hole since the
flow dwindled down"
The most cursory survey Of the
papers and letters flung down on the
table showed Ormsby that his suspi
cions were more than justified.
Ten inmates later he had begun the
most imprisoned article that he had
ever written. He denounced Alpacs
oil as a fraud, he showed up Colonel
Ware as an u~nmitigated scoundrel.
He finished the editorial, sent q
proof by the boy to Manton, instruct.
Ing his subordinate to have the article
set as soon as Manton's formal &C
acknowledgement came over the wire
and fastened home. He fell asleep
after hours Of agonized wakefulness
When he awoke he sat up In bed
wondering why his head ached and all
his life seemed hopeless. Then he be
gan to remember. The news must
have become general property long
ago. Then, putting on his dressing
gown, he telephoned his office.
Just a minute, please" said the
man at the other end. Here's Mr.
Manton. He wants to talk to you"
A moment later the owners voice
came over the wires.
Hello, Ormsby," he said. "Say
what in thunder did you mean by thai
piece about Alpaca oil? / caught II
just as l was going to bed and stopped
it just in time. Why, that's the big
gest proposition that's listed today
It'll touch $50 before the week Is out
"You must be mistaken" said Ormsby
Come to my house, said Manton
CURLY, and hung up the receiver
Ormsby. arrived fumihg with indigna
ton. He was shown into Manton's
study-to find not only Manton but
Colonel Ware and Mildred. The col
onel was looking sour and Mildred de.
%spondent.
Colonel Ware took two or three
strides up and down the room.
"Manton," he said, I'm pretty tough
but l can't stand for this. I'm the
culprit."
What do you mean, Colonel2" in.
CURED. Manton stif1y.
You remember George-shabby
little fellow with a lisp who used tt
spy IN the Knack properties? Well
Manton, 1t may not have been quite
straight, but ! meant to let You fel.
lows In on 1t. / tried to work Mr.
Ormsby to give US a fair write-up
When he wouldn't / sent George Il
him with some fake papers and pho
tographs In hopes he'd write just such
an article as he did. If that had got
into the paper our stock would have
been down to 40-and I'd sold half my
hp1IirOC <o h,v a. 10 <hnp No-< xrool-