Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1928-06-04

place. Even around the square rere.
among the merchants. They don't
SAY IL TO me. but | know the sort
~ talk that's running round. They've
been rather against u. anyway, nos
of them. Their attitude was that
Ham was hurting business BY his in
cessant attacks. Making trouble
Bad for the town, all that sort Of
talk"
II begin to think" mused Stella.
that I'd better move Pretty careful.
Keep my thoughts 70 myself. Lis
ten a lot"
Its the wisest course. We're in
a pretty thorny situation. Stella
II hope | car help you, Homer.
I'll try
The screen door opened and a huge
figure Of a man entered; a bearded.
elderly man. big in hone and frame.
N a wrinklcd cid suit and 4 wealth
er-beaten fedora hat. smoking a long
cigar. Stella found herself saying.
why, how do you do. Mr.. Harmcrl"
End submitting her hand TO a big
grip Then. as he evidently had
something 10 say 10 Homer. she slip
ned back 20 the other desk and bus
led herself making notes Of the back
ground Of the case on a scratch pad.
Mr.. Harmer pulled 40 y chair on the
further side Of Homer's desk.
He was a strong man. Joe Harmer.
A parsonage, as his father had been
lefore him. and his grandfather and
Ereat-grandfathcr. Two hund r e a
years Of solid Harmers. The old
families lived on in Ackland, lived
and thrived. The reddish-gray beard
hristled with vigor. the nose was long
end bony. the Skin and eyes rich in
fermentation. "A man OF high color
and full habit, who ate and drank.
frankly. as he chose. he must have
hccn sixty or m0rc, at this time, yet
appeared to be in his prime. But the
.yig0r Of his appearance seemed Curl
ously belied by his voice, which was
low and guardedly quiet. And the
shrewdly humorous eyes were yelled.
He never spoke an unnecessary word
and seldom wrote a letter. Though
he lived simply enough, in the rather
spacious old Harmcr place, keeping
his outmoded rattly automobile in
the barn where his forbears had kert
their horses, he was generally regard
cd as the richest man in town. He
was president of the local bank. head
selectman, owned much real estate,
conducted the coal and feed business.
quietly advised ~ most Of the church.
charity and community business.
Really. however unobtrusively Ne
appeared TO move in the background,
little or nothing could be accomplish
ca in the town without his support.
he knew every clique. every group
prejudice, every individual. In a
sense, with limitations that none IN
derstood more subtly than himself, he
might be said to rule the town.
Power. petty power, he rather frank
~ loved. II was his life. And that
power was his 10 an extent that can
lie found, a. a rule, only in these
older New England communities, a
power that was the greater in that
he never appeared 70 Ne welding il.
Back Of his known judgment and
ability doomed the strength Of a re-
srectcd family tradition. And family
still means everything in these COM
nsunities. You could hardly take
issue with joe Harmer in Ackland;
not II yoa wished to live comfortably
in the town.
Stella heard him say: II saw that
your light were on Homer. and
thought I'd step in. I haven't had
a chance to tell you how sorry I am
Homer struck a match and lit his
Pipe.
The quiet, almost colorless voice
continued: 'I'm glad TO see that
you're bearing up. Homer. It's the
only thing . ] suppose it's a little
too early to ask what you're plan
ring 70 do about things"
Yes, a little early. Mr.. Harmer.r
We're all with you. my boy. Don't
forget that"
People have been wonderfully
kind
Are you thinking Of keeping on
with the paper?"
"Nhy, yes. Yes, ! think Ill keep
en- with IT,"
4 think we've ali hoped you would.
The town wouldn't seem normal
without some member Of the Pew
family running the Age"
The older man lowered his voice.
Stella, tracing out psrallelograms On