San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-10-06

nave called upon nlu LOT Il sefsiSes
Chapter XII. -
The house physician, when Kelsey
dropped into. his office that even
ing, happened to-. be in "a voluble
mood. A medical journal lay upon
his desk in which he had just been
reading an article that controverted
one of his pet theories; and he seized
upon the opportunity to refute the
fallacy. citing authorities and giving
his reasons at length, while he puffed
Indignantly at his old, black pipe.
Kelsey was pleased to find that he
could genuinely concur in the little
mans views: and by his advice and
with his assistance letter was COM
posed toe the publication, which they
were convinced left the offending
author not a leg to stand on.
So delighted was Morton with the
vigor of the rejoinder and SO crate.
full, that he expanded into unaccus-
toned warmth: and Kelsey took quick
advantage of the propitous moment to
strike.
by the way" indifferently. "who
was the old rooster that arrived this
morning in such state?"
Morton looked at him in surprise.
"Why. you Know. Or, sure enough :
YOU didn't come here until after he'd
left for Bermuda. That, my son, is
cx-Alderman William Higgins. Mean
to say you never heard of Hobo
Bill? Well" as Kelsey shook his
head, "'a half dozen years ago he
used to be a power in New York !;
about the same type. guess. us some
of your picturesquely named politi-
clans out i'll Chicago. He started out
in life as tramp, they say, but
somehow he managed to edge into
politics, and cleaned up big; worth
anywhere from seven to ten millions,
] guess. He stays here when he's
not off on one of his periodical trips.
Funny old codger."
Il should say So" Kelsey agreed.
Its the first time ever heard of n
man voluntarily making an insane
asylum his headquarters"
"Oh, he's no bug. Half blind
pretty we'll broken down physically.
but mentally keen enough; shrewd.
devilish shrcwd, let me tell you. And
as TO his being here, why, he had
some nervous affection, you see, used
to go on fierce sprees and all that.
and Bristow got him into shape
THEY'RE like brothers"
"So?" Kelsey was mildly interest
ed. Il saw the two of them OFT to-
gether THIS afternoon in Brlstow's
new Rolls-Royce.
Morton filled his pipe and looked
over it at Kelsey with humorous.
contemplative smile and a wag Of
his head.
"Yes; some car. I've seen the
days when Bristow had TO hoof it all
the way to the station, il he wanted
to get into town"
"Times have changed, eh?" Kelsey
was stretched out in his chair. "Not
always SO prosperous?"
'"Not always Morton's rsminis-
cent smile still fingered. "When 1
first came here, seven years ago,
things were so far from prosperous,
that we never knew from one week
to another whether we could keep
going or not. Then, all .Of sudden,
we were on easy street. Bristow be-
gan putting all sorts OF improve
ments on the place, buying more
land. throwing out new wings, in
stalling modern appliances, re-fur-
nishing, re-decorating. spldrgIng ON
cars, turning himself ont IKE the
lilies of the field. and making the old
dump one of the highest-price1 ref
uges for fashionable NUS in the
whole East"
Found the buried treasure und,r
the old mill, what?" Kelsey yiwntd
slightly.
Morton chuckled. "Whcre the
money came from. I never knew.
Bristow's close mouthed and it would
take holder man than l am to Ques
ton him about his affairs.
"You see." he explained, call this
happened after Hobo Bill came into
our lives, and I've always believed
that he gave the tip that was re-
sponsible for our rise to greatness.
The BELL of the telephone jingled,