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

L g.
WRIGHT & FITCH of Indianapolis. and re
porter for the Courier. learns from
ALLEN THATCHER. that his father.
EDWARD G. THATCHER has gone 10 New
York and that ne has no doubt bought
the glass factories about which HaFwOod
wished to know. also. that he hopes 10 go
70 Washington as a Senator
HsTwood thinks he has some splendid
material for story. but on his return
learns from the city editor that they had
tip to let tie deal alone.
After having spent several years abroad
70 crafty his mothers wishes. young
Thatcher IS anxious to know some of the
political tights in the community and Dan
HarwOod invites him 10 dine at the Whit
comb House next evening. promising him
an introduction TO many political notatlcs
ION. NORTON BAssETT, wealthy states
man.
~YLYIA GARRISON, Is idling away her time
with her friend
MARIAN daughter of Morton Bassett. on
Mrs. Sally Owens farm al Waupegan. pre-
hminary to taking college course.
Dan presented himself punctually
at the whitcomb House, where Bias
sett, with his bag packed, sat reading
a magazine. He wore a becoming
gray suit without a waistcOat, and a
blue negligee shirt. with a turnover
collar and a blue tie. He pulled up
lis creased trousers when he sat
own. anu the SOCKS thus disclose
love his tan oX:ogds proved ,o ba
.lue also. His manner was cordial
without eifusiveGess; when they shook
hands his eyes met Dams with a
moments keen, searching gaze. as
though he sought to affirm at once
his earlier judgment OF the young
man before him.
I'm glad to see you again, Mr..
Harwood. was to be In town for
the day and named this hour know
ing I should be free"
I supposed you were taking it easy
1T Lake Waupegan. I remember you
told me you had place there"
Bassett's eyes met Dams quickly;
then he answered.
"Oh, l ought to be there. but I've
only had day Of it al summer I
had to spend Il lot Of time in Colorado
on some business. and when I struck
Waupegan I found that matters had
been accommodating at home ard
only spent one night at the lake.
But ] feel better when I'm at work.
I'm holding Waupegan in reserve for
my old age.
You don look as though you
needed "a vacation" remarked Dan.
In fact. You look rs though you'd
had one"
The Colorado sun did that. How
are things going with you2"
We'll. I've kept busy since saw
-ou in Fraserville But [ seem doomed
q be- d newspaper man in spite If
myself. I ike it we'll enough. but
think I told you I started out with
ONE hope of landing in the law"
Yes ] remember. I'm afraid the
-ouble with YOU is that you're too
God a reporter That sketch YOU wrote
f me proved that Mrs. Bassett
liked it: maybe because there was so
little of her in IT, We both appreciated
-Our nice feeling and consideration in
The whole article. Well just how are
you coming on in the law?-
Some of my work at college was
preliminary 10 d law course. and [
have done all the reading possible i'm
Wright and Fitch's office. But I haze
20 eat and the Courier takes care Of
hat pretty well: I've had to give less
lime 10 study I don't know enough
10 be able to command a position as
law clerk-Jhere aren't many PAY
Jobs Of that sort in a town like this
1t has occurred to me. Nh Har-
wood, that we might be of service to
each other. ] have a good many in
terests. You may have gathered that
am very practical person. That Is
wholly true. In business aim at sue
cess, / didu Z start out in life to DC a
failure"
Bassett paused d moment and Dan
nodded. 1t was at the tip Of his
tongue 10 say that such should be
every mans hope and aim. but Bas-
~ett continued.
I'm talking 10 you frankly I'm
not often mistaken in my judgments
If men and I've taken a liking to you.
I want to open an office here chiefly
10 have a quiet place from which to
keep track of things that interest
me. Fraserville is no longer quite
central enough and I'm down here a
good lead. 1 need some body to keep
an office open for me. I've been look
ing about and there are some rooms
n the BoOrdman building that l think
ne position I'm suggesting a private
-,ecretaryship, as I should want YOU
o take charge Of correspondence.
make appointments. scan the papers.
and keep me advised of the trend of
things. I'm going TO move my law
library down here TO give the rooms
"A substantial look, and if you feel ike
Joining me you'll have a good deal of
leisure for study. Then when you're
ready for practice I may be in a pO-
+itiOn TO help you. You viii have a
salary Of, say. twelve hundred to be
gin with. but you can make yourself
worth more to me"
Dan murmured Il reply which Bas-
ett did not heed.
Your visit to my home and the al
icle in the Courier first suggested
his to me. How docs the proposition
strike you?"
1t couldn't be otherwise than
gratifying. Mr.. Bassett. It's taken
my breath away. 1t widens all my
horizons. I have been questioning
my destiny lately; the law as a goal
had been drawing further away. And
his mark Of confidence"
oh. that point. the confidence will
have to be mutual. I am a close
mouthed person and have no con-
idants, but of necessity you will learn
my affairs pretty thoroughly if YOU
accept my offer. You have heard
GOOD deal of talk about me-most of
it unfattering. You have heard that
7 drive hard bargains At every SOS