The Elk Mountain pilot., 1924-09-18
Why Artists
Cartoons Lost
Their Effect
By FRANK COBB

PUNsTERs had called Brainerd the
brains of the campaign against
Saul Jones, the boss of Lawrencetown.
His cartoons created nationwide
sensation, and did much to turn the
tide of public opinion against the man
who had long been supreme in the
city. The one which made the seDsa-
tion Of the week depicted Jones in con-
vict garb, ascending the wall of a
building marked Public Efficiency"
And Jones won the election. Four
weeks before it occurred Brainerd
seemed to lose his grip True, he drew
cartoons as of yore; but they were
mild and milk-like in comparison with
his vitriolic contributions to the Eagle
during preceding issues.
The word went round that Brainerd
had been fixed" He lost his post,
of course, and no other newspaper
would employ him.
l happen to know what occurred, be-
cause Brainerd told me when he came
to ask loan of 5000 to take him to
New York
Brainerd was heart and soul in his
|
government. He went home to sleep,
after planning new cartoon that
would pulverize all that remained of
Jones.
He got telephone message in the
morning.
This is Saul Jones, Mr.. Brainerd,"
said the voice. 81 want to see you
very much. Can you come to my
house before going on to your officer"
Brainerd was surprised at the quiet,
ladylike woman who came in as he
waited in the library and announced
herself as Mrs. Jones.
my husband will be down in a
minute" she said. II know who you
are, Mr.. Brainerd, and you can't ex-
pect me to feel very kindly toward
you"
With that she flounced out of the
room, If such an expression can be
applied to the angry swish of an angry
womans gown.
Hiding behind woman's skirt"
he said to himself. won't l trOunce
him tomorrow ~
Then Jones came in at the door.
Brainerd had seen the boss at dis
tance.
You are Mr.. Brainerd?" inquired
the boss. "Sit down. l have asked
you to come here with reference to
your cartoon in yesterdays Eagle"
YES" answered Brainerd, thinking
that his fun was just going to begin.
"How much?" inquired Saul Jones,
sinking into a chair and resting his
chin on one hand.
Brainerd rose up. II was expecting
that question. Mr.. JONES'" he answered.
'I take it that you are offering me a
sum of money to cease cartOOning you.
Let me tell you that I am not to be
bought, sir, for all the money in Law
rencetown."
As Brainerd was going toward the
door the boss sprang from his chair
and caught him by the arm.
I'm not asking you to stop attack
ing me-" he said huskily.
"Ah, you young mem" he resumed
at is so easy to crush your enemy
isn't 1t? But when you have lived
as long as have you will have come
to see that magnanimity pays.
to you. so that you should be. able to
Judge She knows nothing about it.
She thinks l am the best man in the
world. And it is thirty years ago
my God! / didn't think anybody
would have found that out against
me-
"I was a young fellow of twenty
two. 1t was my first and only crime
l put my employers name on check
They gave me six months in states
prison for it. And I escaped-like a
fool, 1 escaped, wearing the stripes
too, and had only three months ia
serve"
Jones had connected the cartoon
with the secret in his past life, and
he read in 1t a threat of exposure
which Brainerd had never meant, and
for crime of which the artist had
been entirely ignorant.
"Well?" asked the boss, raising his
head. Are you going to break up my
home and ruin my life, young man.
to crafty your hate; or are you going
to let bygones be bygones and take
S5,OOO?"
That was where Brainerd did the
right thing. If he had told Jones that
he had not known about that episode
he would have left the man crushed
and humiliated by his folly in betray'
ing ii. He stretched his hand out and
grasped the boss.
mfr. Jones'" he said, 81 was young
fool and you have taught me much
needed lesson. There is no question
of money-and the Eagle will never
ngain publish a cartoon like the Con
vict.'"
He kept his word.
you see,' Brainerd explained tc
me afterward. II was really quite cap
able of doing such thing with de
lherate design, II had known. Bul
nobody knew, and the man had beer
the victim of his own conscience. Ant