The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1924-07-18
CHAPTE v
London and the Philosopher.


The stir and prodlgious reach OF
London had appalled, the young man.
The thought thrilled him that some
where In the great crowd of which
he was now part, were the two hui
man beings he had come so far to see.
He put on his best clothes and with
the letter which had been carefully
treasured-under his pillow at night
and pinned to his pocket lining
through the day-set out In a cab foI
the lodgings of Doctor Franklin.
Through maze of streets where
people were 'thick as the brush in the
forests of TryoD county" he proceeded
until after journey of some thirty
minutes the cab stopped at the home
of the famous American on Blooms
bury square. Doctor Franklin was in
and would see him presently. so the
liveried servant Informed the young
man after his card had been taken 70
the doctors office. He was shown
into reception room and asked to
wait, where others were waiting An
hour passed and the day was growing
dusk when all the callers save Jack
had been disposed of. Then Franklin
entered. Jack remembered the strong,
well-knit frame and kindly gray eyes
of the philosopher. His thick hair,
hanging below his collar, was now
white. He was very grand in suit of
black Manchester velvet with white
silk stockings and bright silver buckles
on his. shoes. There was a gentle dig
nifty in his face when he took the
boys hand and said with a smile:
"You are so big, Jack. You have
built six foot two inch man of that
small lad l knew in Albany. and well
finished. too-great thighs, heavy
shoulders, a mustache, a noble brow,
and shall | say the eye of Mars? It's
wonder what time and meat and
bread and potatoes and air can ac-
complish. But perhaps industry and
good reading have done some work on
the job"
Jack blushcd and answered: 1T
would be hard to fix the blame"
Franklin put his hand on the young
mans shoulder and said:
"She Is a lovely girl, Jack. You
have excellent good taste. I congratu-
late you. Her pulchritude has a
background of good character and she |
is alive with the spirit of the New |
World. have given her no chance |
to forget you If that had been possible.
Since | became the agent in England
Of yourself and sundry American prov
Inces, have seen her often, but never
without longing for the gift of youti
How is my family?'
"They are well. | bring you letters"
"Come up TO my office and we'll
give an hour to the news"
When they were seated before tie
crate fire I'm the large, pleasant room
above stairs whose windows looked
put upon the square. the young man
said:
"First I shall give you. sir, letter
rom Major Washington. II was en-
trusted to friend of mine who came
,n the same ship with me. He WAS
arrested at Deal. but, fortunately, the
etter was in my pocket"
ARRESTED? Why?"
81 think, sir. the charge was that
re had helped to tar and feather q
British subject"
"Feathers and tar are poor argu-
nents." the Doctor remarked as he
'roke the seal of the letter.
II was a long letter and Franklin
at for near half al hour thought
ully reading and rersading 1t. BY and
" he folded and put II into his pocket,
aging as he did sol: IAN angry man
'annot even trust himself. / sent
ONE letters to America on condition
hat they should be read by commit I
&c of good men ard treated in abso- |
ute confidence and returned to me.
'ertain members Of that committee
ad so mucn gunpowder In their
carts 1t took fire and their prudence
nd my reputation have been seriously | {
I fear. The contents OF {
hose letters are nov probably known !
, you II