Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1923-07-19

ssas ~ I do vitA--dis with ths
credit
with that last sentence. his mind
had stumbled and wandered on 10
memories Of his nephew Brewster.
Locking back from the vantage Of
twenty-six years. Randolph caught
for the nrst time. the full import Of
Asa Thornton's farewell words 70 him
and TO life: "Die with the credit"
They held the kernel .. the old mans
carefully measured Gmend.
.Great old topr murmured Mr..
Randolph aloud. and half unconscious
" turned to the LETT nc Forty-sccond
street Five minutes later he was
caught IN the maelstrom OF the
Thanksgiving crowd milling around
Times square.
Presently he found himself on the
edge Of human sea. banked up 10
give passage TO honking empty taxi
cab. Here was another question for q
suddenly inauiring mind. Where did
taxi-cabs. empty ones. 60 to IN such
hurryf The door Of this one was
swinging open. and the proof Of how
intent the crowd was on Its myriad
Individual goals 10 evidenced BY the
Fact that q dozen voices did not IN
form the driver that the season was
On for fans on wheels.
The cab was moving more slowly
than Mr.. Randoiph's subconscious
mind. which led him TO step Into Il and
quietly close the Inviting door. Upon
seating himself, he tried to anaiyxs
the impulse that had lifted him from
the curb. He decided that Il was not
% much the curiosity a. to the desti-
nation Of empty cabs a. q natural and
ancient dislike for being pushed aud
allowed BY people.
II was not long before the cab. nm
Willingly loaded for bear, drew up
with anal honk q the stage-door OF
the Crocodile. Immediately came q
rasplng voice that was vaguely IA
miliar 10 Mr.. Randolph.
SWELL" u said, s.you sure took your
own time getting here" The driver,
expert I'm agEravating repartes with
out words. pressed the bulb Of his
atrocious horn three times. "Cut n
outi'' said the rasplns voice. "Thers
Isn't any hurry now"
II was incredible. reasoned Mr.. Ran
dolph with himself. that anyone should
forget that voice once heard. and he
was right. He remembered n. II was
the voice Of Mr.. Duke Beamer, whom
he had had the distinct pleasure q
blackballing for one club In college
and three IN town. Mr.. Beamer. TO his
honest mind. was the best living OK.
ample Of animated slime In tailor
made clothes.
Mr. b. was not alone Mr.. Randolph
could just see his companion through
the slant Of the half-raised window
glass. and even that distorted glimpse
was very close TO a vision. The giri
was young. beautiful. and troubled.
Her cheeks were thin and pale, her
parted lips aquiver; her chin was
stremble. or course she was very
cheaply but neatly clothed.
snake up your mind" said the rasp-
Ing voice. ride with me or walk the
streets by yourself. and don't forget
that there's no Job behind you. You've
said good-by to that door for good"
The girls wan face went through
that contortion which says, II won't
cry" and doesn't, thereby achieving q
pity beyond the need Of tears. The
quivering OF her lips. the trembling Of
her chin grew more pronounced
to steady down az she swept up strick-
en- and impIoring eyes to the face Of
the unseen man.
"Oh. Duke" she begged. "promise---
promise you'll be- always good to mo-"
"Of course. little one" said the rasp-
ing voice. promptly and much relieved.
promising lightly TO pay on demand,
In full for a soul delivered In advance.
you'll never regret II. believe me-"
The girl tore her doubling eyes
from his face and stepped toward the
cab. Mr.. Randolph made himself en-
ceeding small In the corner nearest
the curb. An unseen agent opened the
door: the girl slipped In and turned 10
seat herself; her escort made to follow.
Then did Mr.. Randolph suddenly lean
forward and proceed to push In the
face Of Mr.. Beamer with his open
hand and the full weight Of his shoul-
der. That sstonished scion Of q once
gentlemsnly house reeled backward
and sat down on the pavement kerr
PUNK.
MY. what Q bump spoke a keen
young voice over Mr.. Randolph's