New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1923-08-31
NOW GO ON WITH THE STORY

Godfrey had fought upward from
utter poverty to the presidency anc
ownership of one of the greatest fun
houses of his country, partly through
the exercise OF the principle of abso.
lutte business integrity, mostly through
the sheer dynamic force of the man
His competitors knew him as a fair
but remorseless fighter; but his fame
carried far beyond the confines of his
resident city. Bearded trappers
running their lines through the desc
late wastes of the North, were used
to seeing him come venturing up their
gray rivers in the spring, fur-clad and
wind Misunderstanding his relaxation
and keeping fit by personally attend
ing to the buying of some of his furs.
Thus 1t was hard for soft man to
feel easy in his presence.
Ned Cornet was somewhat down.
cast and sulen as he entered the
cheerfully lighted hallway of his
fathers house.
In the soft light it was immediate
ly evident that he was his fathers
son, yet there were certain marked
differences between them. Warrior
blood had some way failed to come
down to Ned. For all his stalwart
body, he gave no particular image of
strength.
He took his place at the stately
table so gravely and quietly that his
parents interest was at once wax
ened. His father smiled quietly at
him across the board.
well, Ned" he asked at last
What is it today"
Nothing very much. A very close
call, though, to real tragedy. ! might
as well tel you about 1T, as likely
enough it'll be In the papers tomor-
row. I went into bad skid at
Fourth and Madison, hit a jitney, and
before we got quite stopped managed
to knock girl over on the pavement.
Didn't hurt her q particle, But
there's a hundred dollars damage to
the jit--and a pretty severe scare for
your young SON."
AS he talked, his eyes met those OF
his father, almost as If he were afraid
70 look away. The older man made
little comment. He went on with his
dessert, and soon the talk veered to
other matters.
The older man finished his coffee.
slowly lighted long, sleek cigar, ana
for a moment rested with elbows on |
the table.
well, Ned, suppose | might as
well get this off my chest he began
at last. Now is as auspiclous
time as any. You say you got good
scare today. Pm hoping that 1t put
YOU in a mood so that at least you
can give me good hearing
The man spoke rather humbly.
rhe air was electric when he paused.
Ned leaned forward.
you've been very attentive son,
Godfrey Cornet paused again, The
trouble, I'm afraid, is that l haven't
been a very attentive father I've
attended to my business-and little
,lse-and now I'm paying the piper.
"Please bear with me. 1t was only
, little accident, as you say The
.rouble of it is that 1t points the wa:
hat things are going, 1t could very
.asily have been a terrible accident
| dead girl under your speeding
wheels, a charge OF manslaughter i'll
,tead of the good joke of being arrest
ID for speeding. a term in the peni-
entiary instead of a fine. Ned, II you
lad killed the girl it would have
,een fully right and just for you to
ipend a good many of the best years
# your life behind prison walls
Lsk myself whether or not would
,ring my incuence to bear, IN that
,ase, to keep you from going there'
3 ashamed to say that 1 would
you may wonder about that L
vould know. in my heart, that you
hould go there. | can't accuse you
Without also accusing myself. There
orc / would try TO keep you out OF
,risor.. III doing that, L would see
\ myself further proof of my old
a desire to spare you
yhen the prison might make a man
II YOU"