Evening Republican, Volume 17, Number 291, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 December 1913 — JOHN PAWN [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

JOHN PAWN

PROMINENT CITIZEN by EMERSON HOUGH

THE MISSISSIPPI BUBBLE ,• ST-10 OR FIGHT. ILLUSTRATIONS^ COPYM&tr /St/J ay JTSf&PJCW StOVCr* 8

SYNOPSIS. John Rawn Is born In Texas. Early In life he shows signs of masterfulness and Inordinate selfishness. He marries I,aura Johnson. He is a clerk in a St. Louis railway 'office when his daughter Grace .Is born. Years later he hears Grace's lover, a young engineer named Charles Halsey, speak of a scheme to utilize the lost current of electricity. He appropriates the Idea as his own and induces Halsey ♦o perfect an experimental machine. He forms a company, with himself as president. at a salary of SIOO,OOO a year, and Halsey as superintendent of the works at a salary of $5,000. Rawn takes charge of the office in Chicago. Virginia Delaware is assigned as his stenographer. She sists in picking the furniture and decollation for the princely mansion Rawn has erected. Mrs. Rawn feels out of place in the new Surroundings. Halsey goes to New York with Rawn and Miss Delaware to explain delays in perfecting the new motor tp the impatient directors. He gets a message that a deformed daughter has been born to his wife. Grace Rawn. Rawn bargains with Miss Delaware to wear his jewelrv and appear in public with him. as a means to help him in a business way. Rawn is fortunate in market specula!ions, pili-s up wealth and attains nrnminenee. He frets because his wife does not rise with him in a social way. He gives her a million dollars to leave him. He asks his daughter. Mrs. Halsey, to take charge of his household. CHAPTER IX. Asparagus, Also Potatoes. What Is written is written. Grace moYed to Graystone Hall and Halsey remained at the factory cottage; nor did the separation, which was regarded by both as merely temporary after all, afflict either to the extent that both hgd supposed it would. Grace now became acting mistress of a large and elaborate menage. As to' her husband, his domestic affairs fell into the hands of Mrs. Ann Suiyvan, wife of Jim Sullivan. Halsey’s mo§t trusted foreman in the factory. Mrs. Sullivan, blessed with six children of her own, alleged that it would be no trouble whatever to her to take on the sweeping, mending, and all else for an additional household, and to furnish meals for the solitary head thereof; and such was her ability to make proof of all these statements that she in part was to blame for the sad truth that Halsey was not as unhappy as he ought to have been. The chief reason for Halsey’s easy readjustment, however, lay somewhere in his comparison of the Halsey blood with blood half Rawn. Grace had been cold, after all. She had openly been discontented, and especially unhappy since the birth of the deformed child. She had left him and gone to her father with no great protest; nor did she, at the occasions of their rare and lessening visits, display more than lukewarm interest in her husband and her former home. Within six months Bhe was beginning to blossom out in raiment, in demeanor. She spoke pf things not in his knowledge though in hers. She was changing. She was going up in the world. He, for the time at least, was doing no bettei than to stand still; as the factory now was doing, and International Power, also—marking time, waiting for something. Ann Sullivan was not a bad philosopher, besides being a good cook, and at times she did not hesitate to engage Mr. Halsey in conversation when they met at this or that time of the day; as when by chance, one noontide when he came home for lunch, he found her sweeping down the front stair “You’re lookin’ lonesome to-day. Mr. Halsey,” she remarked without much preliminary. "You’re fair grievin’ for your wife, I suppose? But why should you expict anny woman to stay here whin she hag such a Pa. with such a house as her Pa has?” “Would you have gone over there, Mrs. Sullivan?” asked Halsey, stop ping and feeling in his pocket for a pipe of tobacco. It was a question they often had discussed. "Would I,? In a mmnit! I’d lave Jim Sullivan for iver if I’d one chanct such as your wife had.” She grinned, but her look belled her speech. "What I’m wantin’, Mr. Halsey.” she went on. “is what anny woman wants I want a diamond star to wear on me head whin I’m sweeping flures I need di'mond earrings and bracelets to wear whin I’m makin’ your beds, you mind; and a silk dress that hollers ‘l'm a-comin’!’ whin I start out to scrub the steps. Ain’t' It the truth. Mr Halsey? Ain’t that what ivery woman in the wurrld, at laste in America, is wantin’7” "Sure,” nodded Halsey. "Don’t forget the automobile while you’re wißh lng ” "True it is! Whut woman of anny social position has not got her awtomobeel to-day? Luk at me If l had me rights. I’d have me electric bro om brought to the coorb ivery mornln’ for me to go to market; and tv*?ry evenin', after I’d got me sweepin' done. I’d have me long gray torpedy come a round to take me atid Jim out fer a up the bullyvard. Me with di’monds on me hair, with rings on me fingers an’ bells on me toes, a Heftin' there an' lukkin’ scornful Oh J- was born in Ireland, but I'm ’ can now The day Jim Sullivan gives me what Is me due. and I git me first a wtomobeel. 'twill be the proud day |er me—the day whin l*m first find?! far vl'latln’ the speed law of the city Tlr a great counthry. this’" Mrs Hulllven grinned happily at e*r

romancing; but, presently set her broom against the- 1 doorjamb and turned to speak more in her real mind “Anny woman wants to blackguard a little once in a while, Mr. Halsey, sir, and all women like to lie twice in a while. I’m just lyin to you now. because the birds is singin’ and the weather is so fine. “Listen! Anny woman that’s goin’ to be happy is goin’ to be happy because of the stomach she ' has fSr eatin', and the joy she has for dancin’, and the heart she has for love of her man and her children. And anny woman that has her heart in the right place is goin’ to stand by them and not by herself; and not by anny one ilse. Try me and see if T’m lyin' now! You’re the boss. Fire Jim Sullivan to-day, and see do I stick with him. or do I go with some man that gives me di’monds, and awtomobeels. I’d stick —and so’d anny other woman that loved her man and her children.” "I’m glad you think so, Mrs. Sullivan.” “You know I think so! Oh, maybe it’s because I wasn’t born in this coun try. Over there, ’tis the woman helps to make the stakes Here, she helps to spend it. ’Tis a fine country this — for policemin. So far as bein’ happy in it’s concerned, I dunno! Maybe it’s the Irish in me that’s happy, -and not the American. I dunno again. ’Tis all a question which you want to be, rich or happy!” "Or useful!" ventured Halsey. “They’re the same. Bein’ useful is bein’ happy. Ain’t It the truth?” Halsey nodded again and Mrs. Sullivan reached once more for her implement of industry. “Jim Sullivan fits in his job,” said she. “He’s strong and can hold his

job all right I’m strong, and I can hold mine here, just the same. We’ve only six children, and I wish ’twaa a dozen. No, it’s no trouble to take care of this house, too. I’m only thinkin’ of that little lamb of yours she tuk away with her. ’Tis a motner she nades.” “Please don’t. Mrs. Sullivan,” said Halsey quietly. “I mane no harm, and I’m feelin’ fer you, me boy. you havin’ a crippled child to face the world where even the strong has hard enough times ahead. Still, she’ll have money, may like!” “Well, Mrs. Sullivan. I’m not sure of that —” “Of course it’s none of me business —of course not. But only look at the sky and only hear the birds this mornin’! You’re young, and God may give you two yet the dozen that 1 have longed for, denied as I do be with odlv six. You’ll be goin’ up yerself some day, with all thim rich folks, Mr Halsey, boy. I'm stayin’ here with Jim Sullivan Whin we can’t afford sparrowgrass we eats potaties.” “But tell me, Mr. Halsey,” she went on shrewdly, "how long will we be havin’ even potaties to eat? Ye don’t keep min there in the factory long—ihere’s not many at wurrk now. Besides, there’s no smoke In thim cbimbleys! And Tis time. What's the mystery there, boy?” “A good deal of labor troubles,” commented Halsey non-committally "More than that!” she insisted, drawing close to him "Listen! I megr. well to you, boy, and so does Jim. Hell stick. But Jim told me the night that he could walk out, and pick up a clean tin thousand dollars fer the walkin’!" Halsey controlled himself This was news of staggering sort. “Why doesn't he, then, Mrs. Sullivan? That’s a good deni of money." he said quietlv “Yes, why doesn’t he? —with me half American and gettin' more so aich year—me ( a-needin’ di’monds and awtomobeels! The fool Irish! Tis ma v be his ijiotic idea he ought to stick." 1 ', k Halsey made no answer except to look over at the gaunt factory build Ings A blue-coated figure was pacing back and form before ihe door “There’B Jim Sullivan workin’ in side, and there's Tim Carney walkin' beat outside,’ she resumed; “and the I ickeis tryin’ to break In, and som» one else tryin' to break in. What * It

about, Mr. Halsey? For the company? What’* the company?” , "It furnishes asparagus for some, and potatoes for others, Mrs. Sullivan.” “Oh, does it, thin? Does it mind that potaties costs more than they did, and so pay us better, or worse, for what we do? If what we eat goes up, we can’t live; and .if we ean't live, them that can has got to support us somehow. Ain’t it the truth? What’s the ind of lt.jnjie boy? “I’m not askin’ about the Justice of it, but about the business of it. If our men starve, what’ll we do? Mr. Halsey, sir, we ll raise hell! That’s what we’ll do! Too much asparagus in this country, and too few potaties, and thim of a bad class. Is goin' to raise hell in- this country. Ain’t it the truth? "Luk at Jim workin’ there. And luk at Tim protectin’ of him. ’Tis fine, isn’t it? I’m thankin’ God, meseif, there’s birds and sunshine in the world. If it wasn’t for thim and the priest. I’m wonderin’ sometimes what us poor folks would do.” ' The theory is that some men are born stronger than others, Mrs. Sullivan, and so entitled to the asparagus,” smiled Halsey. ‘ls it so? Jim Sullivan yonder is strong in what makes a mam In what makes a woman I’m strong. Hasn’t God got a place fer us. as well as Mr. Rawn? And if God don’t give it, haven’t such as us got to take it? —I don’t mean the asparagus, but just, the potaties?” "But I’ve said enough,” she went on, turning suddenly. “ ’Tis only because I’m fond of you, me. boy, that I’ve said so much. There’s devilment and mystery goin’ on here. I don’t ask you what your mystery Is so don’t ask me what is mine. Jim’s likely to stick, and so am I. 'Tis likely we can be useful In the world, and as for bein’ strong, we’re strong enough to have each other. And as I was sayin', we’ve the birds and the sunshine—and the priest! So take your mystery you’ve got in there, and match it up with mine. L’ave Jim Sullivan alone, and when these two mysteries git together, yours and ours, why, mayb.e there’ll be hell!” Halsey did some thinking when he was alone. He knew now, and had known, that something, somebody besides the pickets of the labor unions, bad an eye on this mysterious factory of theirs. He had felt for a long time that there was an enemy working somewhere, that a spy was making definite attempts to get secret information. Now, this unknown enemy was able to offer ten thousand dollars bribe money. The case was serious enough. It was worse than serious. He had been sufficiently warned. Why, then, his pipe cold in his teeth, did he sit staring now and think of things alto getlier apart from the factory? Why did he dream of the birds and the sunshine? Why did comparisons still force themselves Into his mind, and why did he long for something life had not yet brought to him—something that Ann Sullivan and her man owned, though they had so little else?

CHAPTER X. The Silent Partner. There are men who make a living sometimes a very good one, through the process of teaching others to do what they themselves can not do You can purchase for a price in any of many quarters printed maxims embodying full formulae covering the secret of success; in each case from one who has not succeeded. Nothing is cheaper than maxims, in type, in worsteds, or in transparencies. To be in the fashion you should have certain of these above your desk, and should incline your ear to those .who profess to teach what can not he taught even by those most nearly fitted to teach. John Rawn cared little for maxims, being above them, in his own belief, at least In all likelihood he had never read the advice of the philosopher, to wit: that each man should hitch his wagon to a star No. he knew something better. He hitched his to a river. Very naturally, John Rawn selected the largest river he could find His silent partner was none less than the Father of the Waters! There is this to be said about a river, that it is wholly tireless and immeasurably powerful; that it enters into no combinations against capital, and does its work without unseemly disturbances. Rawn was wise enough to know these things, nor asked anv maxims to advise him therein. In his

belief it was better to allow this sort of sflent partner to furnish the industry and the economy. Who Bhall measure the power of a river, for ever falling to the sea? How | many millions of horses and mdn has it equaled in its wasted power in-each generation, in each decade, in each year? Certainly sufficient to lift the entire burden of labor from the shoulders of the world. What mind can measure the extent of such a force, or dream the possibilities of its application, if it could be set to work? What equivalent of human brain and brawn could be valued against this careless, ceaseless power, derived endlessly from the air and the earth—power given to the. peoples of the earth before the arrival of our present political and industrial masters; given them in the time when the earth vyas the Lord’s and the fullness thereof. The minerals under the earth, the food produced in the soil, the yaters offering 1 paths and powerbefore the earth and its fullness passed from the hands of the Lord into those of our present masters, these, it may be conceived, were intended as the Lord’s gift to the peoples of the earth. That, however, was quite before the advent of John Rawn. Toil has always been the human lot. We have carried the mechanical burdens as well as the mental burdens of life on our own human bodies and souls; although all the time thousands of patient giants were waiting, willing to serve US'. John Rawn could see them waiting He knew to whom one day would be due the power, and the kingdom, and the glory. He could look toward the white-topped mountains, foreseeing the day when they would be put under tribute, becaustf they breed tumbling waters of immeasurable strength and utility Their heritage of beauty and majesty is naught to minds such as that of John Rawn’s. Utility is the one word In the maxims of such as these, men beloved of the immortal gods. We speak of kings, of eipperors, but what emperor in all the history of the world had servants such as these, submissive giants such as these, to work far him? We speak of miracles of old. What miracles ever equaled the business wonders, the money-piling miracles, of the last twenty years in America? Where gat this silent partner of John Rawn’s its own tremendous power? Out of the sun and the earth, the parents of humanity. The raindrop on the leaf, shot through with the shaft of the sun. fell to some nearby rill and, joined by other rills, marched on, alive, tireless, tremendous, toward the sea. Even far up toward their source, had your little boat lodged, counter to the current, on some rock or snag, and had you attempted to push it back against the thrust of the downcoming waters, you might have got some knowledge of the power of even a little stream Ten feet below you, that power again would have been quite as great; and ten feet below that again as great; and so on, to the sea. It required the advice of no professional maxim makers to teach a few of our great men. our specially endowed superiors. John Rawn first among them, that this power one day must be used. In accordance as it shall be used, the burden of humanity may be lifted from human shoulders, or thrust crushinglv down upon them until indeed humanity shall cease to hope. The earth and its fullness are no more the Lord’s today They are John Itawri’s The simple plan of the International Power company was to make some strong obstruction Inviting the enormous resistance of the Father of the Waters, tantalizing that power into being. Thus. In a manner perfectly simply, this force, once evoked and utilized, would turn numberless wheels endlessly, tirelessly. So much for the material side of manifested power. The essence, the soul, the intangible spirit of that material power was, in the plans of International, to be transmitted by wire at first, and later through the free air. Its sale in definite and merchantable quantities would come as near to the solution of the problem of perpetual motion and perpetual profit as may te arrived at in this world of limitations. (TO BE CONTINUED.)

The Case Was Serious Enough.