The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1922-05-25
Old Man
Benson
.....
cy CHARLES z. BANTER
-,l.lilnuiiiiiliinliiiIiIiiiiis,Iiilliiiii'

4 tNlyftahf AA@s WN@t"f"
Ola Bensun put On his hat.
Think III just 70 for little STROLL
mother" be- said. patiing his wife on
the Shoulder. Looks Ike clearing.
Like our troubles" smiled Ada Ben
SON John. dear. you do think youh
ct that position with the Sanders
arm. don't your
while there's life there's hope.
u.,t er." he answered gayly.
| Eu once IN the street, unbearable
| lf.r.s~.un t,.og hold Of him. and he
viewed hls nf, Ia dismal retrospect.
| lie bad let era yfurd with prophecies
nl success from all the professors.
henson was an analytical genius, and
he should 90 far In the chemical field
lie had secured a good position ihnie-
dla'ely.
How had 10 al come abou;f Ter
s"ualIty! IN athlete at college ne
still had been too shy To- make friends.
lie hid remained II years with the
Sriyers people. had risen To S51sD
| yerf. had made their fortune with his
discovery of substitute for man-
gan, ar Tie realized they were pluck
ing his brains and lett 10 work for
n rival concern at Si,pn.
Ten ,cars later they went bankrupt;
and Rpnsun's daughter hsd died after
lingering Illness. They were child
less. now. Ada and he. tleir savings
gone. lie had been wrapped ~, In his
home. be had gone with has wife and
child t. Florida. where Il wns hoped
she migt; recover
Vain hope. He returned 10 take
position IL S2oo1 with new company.
The best IT bis work was d,ne. Al
nifty henson was On the shelf. lie
could not work except In an at
musphere II sympathy. And people
were impatient ~ slow research nowa-
days. They would not walt while he
elaborated his methods.
Vet be knew that. given the oppor-
tunlty. he could stlll teach something
to the younger men. II he had a
chance. but who would give chance
20 broken man ~ fftyf
lie had drifted from one Job to an
other. he had even been druggist at
last. In desperation. he had applied
90 the Sanders people. who wanted
Slo.Vo man 60 head their laboratory.
Ne answer had=come.
old Benson looked up as the sound
Of laughter and cheering came frim
a big rpom on the ground floor 81 an
uptown building lie had wandered a
long way.
whats that placer he asked a po-
IIceinan.
"The Crawfurd club" the man an
swered. Annual meeting for old
Crnwfurd men"
Benson started Never. since he had
ieft college, had he come into touch
with any of his old associates. Why
shouldn't hei Well. why shouldn't he
forget for the while that he was
broken man of fiftyT
Ten minutes later he found himself
onsconced In rear seat Of the room
His heart beat as he heard the old.
ognize the faces. Why. that stout,
bald man was johnson. whose luxuri-
ant locks had been ore Of the Jokes
~ the college. There vas TIartigan-
"kid' Hartigan. "a genial giant u six
feet four.
What was thatp Each man was sing
Ing, reciting. telling story. They
were standing up In turn. My expe-
riences ." And II was coming
nearer and nearer 60 him.
Say, what's your Manner asked the
man next 20 him. "Bensonl Not Bill
Bensonf Good Lord. who'd have
thought? You don't remember met
Aren't You the d.scoyerer ~ that sub
stltuie for manganesef Good Lord
Bill Bensan!" -...r-- fy--.-,s,Tr
"Mhatll tell 'emY' BENSON whIsr
pered.
"oh. tell 'em what you've been do
ing, or he glanced AZ Benson's
shabby clothes. Sing old Craw.
furd.' " he suggested. --yiits,
When Reasons turn came there was
shout ~ demand for his name Tie
heard whispering. Every glance seemed
hostile. lie s,9eg,. sp ana sang desper.
otely. lie found his ground Ue for.
got lie recalled only the old dnys
When he sat down The room rocked
with applause.
| Tue next man. henson had been
forgotten. Ne must 90 home. lie had
had his hour, his unexpected hour.
Quietly be prepared To slip away.
You gJingi" II was his nelghbor.
Say. wait inmate! III walk with
you. You don't remember mei Well
well. tell me what llfe's brought you
old man"
"iienson faced him Mot much" he
slninmsred. lie choked.
Guess I'll have % say good night.
old man." he said. Glad 20 have the,
YOU"
The other laid his hand on his shout.
der.
Walt a moment. Benson" he said.
"can you drop In az my ONCE for a
chat In the mornlngf You see, IL you
aren't engaged, why. want 10 tali
"a you about taking up some chemical
work for me-" and as Benson stared
NJ him dubiously i;e added: