The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1922-11-29

you. And Ia like
Don't decide about it now. I'd
rather you didn't. Take a week to
it, then drop me line to Fraserville,
or come up if you want to talk
further"
Thank you; shant want so much
time. In any event I appreciate your
kindness. It's the most cheering thing
that ever happened to me-"
Bassett glanced at his watch. He
had said all he had to say in the
matter and closed the subject
enthusiastically.
Here's a little thing 1 picked up
today copy of Darlington's Mar
rative, he was with st. Clair, you
know; and practically all the copies
of the book were burned in a Phila-
delphia printing office before they
We're bound; you will notice that some
| Of the pages are slightly singed. AS
you saw at my house. I'm interested
in getting hold of books relating to
the achievement of the Western pion-
GERS. Some of these bald, unvarnished
tales give a capital idea Of the men
VINO conquered the wilderness. They
( had tie real stun in them, those
fellows
He snapped his bag shut on the
new-found treasure and babe Dan
good-by without referring again to
the proposed employment.
Dan knew, as he left the hotel,
that if an answer had been impera-
lively demanded on the spot, he
| should have accepted Bassett's prop.
osition; but as he walked slowly
away questions rose in his mind.
Bassett undoubtedly expected to reap
some benefit from his services, and
such services would not, Of course,
be IN the line of the law They were
much more likely to partake OF the
function of journalism. in obtaining
publicity for such matters as Bias.
Sett wished TO promulgate. The pro
posed new Office at the capital marked
an advance of Bassett's pickets. He
was abandoning old Notifications for
newer and stronger ones, and Dams
imagination kindled at the thought OF
serving this masterful general as aid
de-camp.
However. as the days passed Dan
WAS glad that he had taken time for
.efection
While he was considering the poi
iticlan's offer. a letter from HON.
brought "a fresh plea for help, auc
strengthened "a growing feeling that
his wiser course was 70 throw in his
fortunes with Bassett. In various
small ways Mr.. Fitch had shown an
inf To
solved TO take counsel Of the lawyer
before giving his answer.
The little man sat i'm his privaJ,
room in his shirt sleeves. with ms
chair tipped back and his feet on his
desk He was. in his own phrase.
thinking out brief He famed
himself i'm "a desultory fashion with il
palm leaf. Dan had carried in an
arm load Of books which Fitch in
dicated should be arranged. back-up,
ou the floor beside him.
Dan fingered "a moment and FItch's
Well gave him leave to proceed. FIo
stated Bassett's offer succinctly. tell
ing Of his visit 10 Fraserville and OF
the interview at the Whitcomb. When
he had concluded Fitch asked
Why haven't YOU gone ahead and
closed the matter? on the face Of it
its good offer It gives you
chance to read law and to be as.
-"ciated with "a man who is in a po-
sitiuu to be Of great service to YOU"
Well. 10 tell the truth. sir, / have
had doubts. Bassett stands for some
things I don't approve of-his kind
of politics / mean"
"Oh, He doesn't quite square with
your ideals, is that it?''
I suppose that is it. Mr. itch"
The humor kindled in the little
mans brown eyes, and his fingers
played with his whitening red beard.
Just how strong are those ideals
of yours. Mr.. Harwood?'
They're pretty strong, I hope. sir
Fitch dropped his feet from the desk.
opened a drawer. and drew out a long
envelope.
1t may amuse you to know that
this is the sketch Of Bassett YOU
printed in the Courier last fall.
didn't know before that you wrote il.
No wonder it tickled him. And-er- /
some Of it is true. I wouldn't talk
10 any other man in Indiana about
Bassett- He's a friend and a client of
mine. He doesn't trust many people,
ne doesn't the little mans eyes
twinkled-''he doesn't trust Wright
and he trusts me because we are alike
in that we keep our mouths shut
You must have impressed him very
tavorably. He seems willing to take
YOU at face value 1t would have
been quite natural for him to have
asked me about you, but he didn't. Do
you know Thatcher-Edward c.? He
has business interests with Bassett
and Thatcher dabbles in politics jusr
enough to give him power when he
wants it. Thatcher is a wealthy man.
who isn't fOoling with small politics
II some day ne sees a red apple of
the top OF the tree he may go for It,
There'd be some fun of Bassett tried
10 shake down the same apple"
4 know Thatcher's SON."
Allen? met HIM the other day.
ODD boy: I guess that's one place
where Ed Thather's heart is all right -
After a moments reflection with
MS face turned to the open window
Fitch added
Mr.. Harwood, if YOU should go 10
BaSsett and in course Of time. every !
thing running smoothly. he asked you
10 do something that Jared with those
ideals of yours. what should you do?'
4 should refuse, sir answered
Dan. c~.-aestly.
lvs-...