Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 130, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 June 1914 — BROADWAY JONES [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

BROADWAY JONES

by EDVARD MARSHALL

FROM ™ MAY CT GEORGE M.COfIAN

WITH PHOTOGRAPHS FROM SCETO IN THE PLAY

SYNOPSIS. ■\~gaetaoa Jones, nicknamed "Broadway" tiecause of hta continual glorification of New York's great thoroughfare, 1* anxious to get away from his home town of Jonesville. Abner Jones, his unde. Is very angry because Broadway refuses to settle down and take a place in the gum factory In which he succeeded to his father’s Interest. , CHAPTER ll.—Continued. Baek of Whipple’s drug store was the unofficial clubroom'of the gayer youth of Jonesville, who demanded something less sordid than the two grim saloons or the tavern barroom. To the drug store Broadway retreated. He found it more than usually animated. While he had been in the seclusion of Judge Spotswood’s study one of the rare, dramatic episodes which Jonesville ever knew bad come to pass—being imported from the outer world, of course. A touring car had taken at too high a speed a "thank ye ma’am" provided by the town authorities for the purpose of retarding motorists who endeavored to escape from deputy sheriffs. The result had been that the car's occupants had left it without intention, gone upward, cleaving the night air to heights, and, coming down, had found themeelves almost simultaneously in a mudhole and a deputy's custody. Having paid their fines for speeding and rescued their somewhat battered motor, they now were being bandaged. It was characteristic of the general . state of Jonesville’s mind that the visitors had first been fined; repairs for their bruised heads being looked at as a secondary matter. The unfortunates numbered two, and they had told the fining and exultant .judge of the peace that they were son and father, giving their names as Grover and Robert Wallace. Robert Wallace was of not much more than Jackson’s age. The drug store crowd was listening with huge delight to their subdued expressions of wrath. But with Broadway’s entrance the younger of the victims recognised a member of his own Indefinable Within two minutes the-young men were "old chap” to each other, which Is a congenial sign. "How’s your machine?** asked Broadway. ' . "Havant’s looked it over very carefully.” "If it’s out of business, I’ll get my runabout and tow you ten miles down the road. There’s a good hotel there, and a repair man who knows his bustness could help you out the first thing tn the morning.” No such service proved to be necessary. In fact the stranger's ear was in such unexpectedly good condition that Its owners insisted upon taking Broadway with them to his gateway. They reached it simultaneously with Clara Spotswood and Josie Richards, who were now engaged in that inefficient but delightful see-sawing which frequently occurs when a girl-friend takes a girl-friend home. Clara had

walked home with Josie, Josie had walked part way home with Clara, Clara had gone part way back with her. They had gradually come almost to a midway standstill in front of toe Jones nines. While ths elder Wallace took advantage of the halt to make one more examination of the ear, bdfre pinng. Ing off Into the darkness toFthe surrounding tanning country, Jackson introduced his now-made friend to the two girls, and they stood laughing inconsequentially. The young city man was much impressed by the two pretty country girts, and the two pretty country girts, especially Clara Spotswood, were delighted with the youth who had been brought so dramatically to their attenttoo They went along before ths elder gentleman was satisfied that every thing was certainly all right, but at a distance which they fait sure made them invisible in the soft gloom <xf the summer night they paused, with many

a suppressed giggle, to look back at the group-, each member of which was now and then shown sharply against the background of Cimmerian darkness as he chanced to pass into the radius of one or the other of the car's headlights. "I think he’s absolutely too handsome!" Clara whispered cautiously. "I’ve always thought so,” Josie answered. 17 “Oh, silly! I mean young Mr. Wallace. And Robert's such a sweet name! It’s almost the same as *Robin* —’Robin’ Adair, you know? How she must have loved him!” "Robert or Robin?” Josie asked. "Robin, of course. She sang the song about him. But Robert's just as pretty, and it doesn’t make you think of birds and worms.” Josie burst into partially stifled titters, and her friend grasped her arm in giggling wrath to force her into a wild scamper down the dusky, fragrant village street When they had once more fallen to a walk, Josie remarked, unwittingly: "You’re very silly. He’s not half as good looking as Jackson, and you know it. Only we see Jackson every day, and —” * “O-h-h-h!” said Clara. "I’ve suspected that for a long time!” ~ "Suspected what? Keep quiet!” were the contradictory remarks of her best friend. Then: “And I’m going to be so lonely after he has gone! I’d like to cry. I almost did. Think of all the girls he’ll meet there in the city! Oh, I hate New York!” "You’ve never been there.” "No. But I’ve heard about the girls there. Lots —of—thear—drink—cocktails. And I hate that street he’s always talking of—Broadway!” Then, suddenly, and, to the amazement of her friend, who Instantly was filled, however, with a perfect understanding, Josie burst into tears, and, with a quick "Good night," rushed toward her home. Before they parted the city youth gave Broadway his card. "You’ve been very nice, old chap. Come to see me when you strike New York.” “It’s absolutely certain —and I’m coming in a year.” To his amazement, the events of this extraordinary night had not yet ceased for Broadway Jones. He walked down the street toward home, filled with longing tor the year's end, and found Sammy, Clara’s small brother, asleep upon his doorstep. "Hi, Sammy!” he cried, shaking , a fat shoulder. . "Yea —sir; I’m goto’—to—be—like ” the boy began before he was entirely awake. "I know, like Rip Van Winkle. But he didn’t take his nap upon a doorstep. Why aren’t you at home, to bed?” Sammy rubbed his eyes. With maddening deliberation he informed Broadway that the judge had sent him, with instructions to find Broadway and tell him he wished to see him. "He—said —it —didn’t—make —-no— difference how —late.” J "What! As near midnight as this? Child, it’s almost ten o’clock! All Jonesville Is asleep.” “He —says—foi^-you—to—come. I’m —goto’." Whereupon ho went Jackson followed speedily. Such a summons from the judge at such an hour must bode something cater ciysmlc. He found a worried judge pacing up and down his office floor. "In the office, at this hour! You really want to see me, judge?” "Tea,” said the old man firmly. ’Tve determined that I will not be a party to deception.” «*■ "Who’s been deceived, judge?” * "Jackson, your father’s” will gives you his fortune when you’re twentyone, not when you’re twenty-two. Your uncle wished to keep it from you. Ido not think you ought to have it now, but you’re entitled to it” Broadway gazed with a dropped jaw. “Judge, I’m getting all mixed up. You say I get it when I*m twenty-one? Why, Tm twenty-one already!” "I know you are. I know you are. I never saw the document until today. It was drawn up by Boston lawyers. And at first I thought I’d do exactly as your uncle asked—let you think it was as ho had said it was. But I’ve thought it over and it seems to’me you’d ought to know." Broadway merely stood and stared. “Your uncle thought that he was acting for the best,” the judge insisted. “He’s been hoping you would settle down. When you didn’t, he thought he’d steal a year from you, and give you one more chance. When he told me this tonight, I told him that I didn’t think it was just right; and—finally—well, you know it all now.” Broadway found the power of speech. “Good bld judge!” , ' "Then you’re hot angry?” "I’m too happy to be angry. Got a time table about you?" "Jackson, Jonesville was named after your ancestors.” "Well, I don’t like to live in it I know a chap named Bright Very like-’ ly Bright’s disease was named after bis ancestor, but I presume he doesn’t want to die of it Judge, Jonesville is an ailment.” 1 The judge, Infinitely relieved, now

that he had made a clean breast of the thing, leaned back in his chair and laughed. ' > “Well, what are you going to do?" "When can I get that money?” "The trustees will have to pay it on demand." Jackson laughed with rare delight "Uncle’s one of them. How it will pain his fingers when he hands it out to me! I’m going to demand! And ! want to start tomorrow. I want to start tonight, but I am reasonable. I won’t wake the old man up. But while you go to get the money in the morning, I’ll get set at the town line, waiting for you to bring it to me, ready to get, anyway, 60 yards out of the township within 60 seconds. How I wish I really could sprint!" “Broadway!” "I know, judge, but let me tell you why I hate Jonesville and how. You knew my mother?” “A splendid woman, Broadway.” "Everyone says that; but, you see, I

didn't know her. And my father died when I was twelve.” “A magnificent man, Broadway.” “Yes, I guess he was the best bet in the village.” "Poor chap! He never was the same after your mother's death.” "Then Uncle Abner took me. He couldn't absolutely boss me, for certain moneys had been left with which specific things were to be done for me. He had to have me educated at the schools and college which my father designat“And he disapproved of them.” “I know he did. A sheepskin from Jonesville academy is his idea of the evidence of the higher education for a Jones —along with side details on first aid to a stick of chewing gum.” .; "He always wished to have you take an Interest in the gum business.” "I did, till another kid slipped me a stick one day, when I was absent-mind-ed, and I began to chew it Then and there I made up my mind to devote my life's endeavor to something which would not stick in your teeth. Judge Spotswood, lobsters don't.” "My boy, I wish you never had seen New York!” "No, you don't judge, you wish you were going with mo when I start'* “Are you going to stay away?" "Uncle says that in these days each man should have a specialty if he would be successful. I'm going to specialize on staying out of Jonesville. I’m hoping for success.” "Have you no friends here whom you dislike to leave?" “You and the judgess, judge, and Clara. I’ll miss Josie, too. And there are some down at thsf factory. Bill Higgins, I like him. He used to entertain me when we went in swimming and he got the cramps. Awfully funny when he had the cramps, Bill was; peevish but very funny. I shall miss Bin. But Jonesville, as a whole, judge —Pm not going to miss Jonesville, except the way a man may miss a tooth that has been pulled for cause." The judge sighed. "Well. I had to tell you.” The young man looked at him with a strange earnestness. “Judge, would you get mad if I should kiss you?” “And you are really going, right away?" "It’s going to be the quickest getaway Connecticut ever heard ot." CHAPTER 111. Almost as speedily as he had told the Judge he would. Broadway pr “ pared to leave Jonesville. There was a stormy session when the old lawyer told Abner Jones that he had made the revelation to the boy, but the old man’s threats against him were quickly silenced when the judge reminded him that what ho had proposed to him was fraud and that an action for conspiracy might bo brought against him. The ear wheels sang to Broadway as ho Journeyed west and southward.

__ .... <.<«»« He gave cigars to the conductor, to the trainmen, to the engineer as soon as the train waited long enough for him to get to him. He bought all the newsboy’s papers, novels, magazines and sent him through the cars to give them to the ladies. Then, on his return, alight with smiles, he bought the last ounce of hla candy and told him to appropriate it to the use of his own sweet-tooth.

..x.i.iug in New York a red-capped station-porter saw him from afar and recognized the strong financial candlepower of his expanding smile. Galvanised into extraordinary action he rushed toward him, calling to two friends to join him Instantly and help him bear the two bags Broadway carried. The traveler had to give the third negro his hat, so that he might seem to earn his tip; but he did" this gladly. The taxi-cabman flew, scramling from his box, at the mere intonation of the porters’ Voices. “Where to, sir?” he inquired. “Is this New York?" his fare asked, smiling gently in a way which made the chauffeur think he was a wanderer, returned unto his own, and wishful of facetiousness. "You bet it is; just little old New York." “f thought so. It seems so familiar. Well, I want to go to Broadway." , "What part of Broadway, sir?” (Observe that this Grand Central taxi-cab-man persistently said “sir.” It was a tribute; Broadway knew it was a tribute and it warmed his heart) “Oh, all of It” “Take you tp all of Broadway?” Even the taxi-cabman was astonished. "I want to look it over, for I’m going to buy it if I like it as much as I always have.” The cabman eyed him shrewdly, decided that he was quite sane and sober, resolved to tie to him with a tenacity which never could be shaken off, climbed to his narrow seat beneath Its narrow hood and yanked down the flag upon the taximeter. “My name is Gridley, sir," he volunteered.

"You may fire when ready, Gridley,” Broadway answered, and then Gridley pulled the lever. Before the day was over Jackson Jones had bought a forty-horsepower limousine, a sixty-horsepower touringcar and a runabout. Gridley had turned in his resignation to his company and been measured fox' five suits of livery, of expensive cloth, exclusive cut, extraordinary color. Having done this he had asked a girl to marry him, had been accepted, had taken sixteen drinks and gone to see her mother, had then been thrown out a jilted man and had returned to Broadway Jones, determined to live single and attached to him forever. The episodes had sobered him and he was quite himself when Broadway asked him what apartment he would recommend for living quarters. “Quiet place?" he asked.

"Not for your new employer,” Broadway answered. T want it to be on Joy street, between Happy boulevard and Don’t Care alley. The noisier the better if the noise is always laughter. I want it named The Smile and I want it furnished in bright red. Take me somewhere where they’ll sell me a good butler—fancy brand, no matter what the price. I want a butlen w ho can go and buy a home tor me—a home that glitters and is glad. Throw on the high-speed clutch.” Gridley took him, in his brand-new car (which ran as smoothly and as noiselessly and swiftly as a pickerel swims), to an employment agency which he had heard about, and there Broadway signed the lease for an extraordinary person, principally named Rankin. He looked like a bishop, talked like a British lord, walked like a major-general, bowed like a dlplo-

mat never smiled, always said "Yes, sir," and “thank you, sir," whenever there was room for these impressive words, was ready to be measured for as many suits of livery as had been ordered for the chauffeur and assured his new employer that it would give him pleasure both to find and furnish an apartment for him. “When will you have It ready tor me?”

“Tomorrow morning, sir." “Then you know what apartment you are going to take?" “Not yet, sir. Breakfast at say. ten. sir?" .... "Rankin, you win do. Make it eleven. Engage a cook and second-man.” "I have already telephoned for them, sir.” *"I havq raised your wages, Rankin, for long and faithful service. Let me see —you’ve been with me forty minutes. See to it that you do as well In future.” “I shall, sir; and I hope you’ll do the same, sir.” “Find Mr. Robert Wallace In the telephone book. He’s in the advertising business." A moment later Rankin turned back from the little table at the side, of the large parlor which supplied headquarters for the ex-Jonesvillian for the time being? “I have him on the wire, sir.” ’TH talk to him." Broadway took the telephone receiver from his butler’s hand and cried Into the mouthpiece: "Hello! Is that you, Robert Wallace? . . . Well, this Is Jackson Jones. . . . Yes; the same you met in Jonesville when they pinched you, that reckless night when you were driving at four'miles an hour. . . . No; I’ve come down to stay. Pm asking you to dine with me tomorrow evening. ... Can you come? , . Good. I’ll telephone again, or have my butler telephone, and let you know just where. . . - J AU right Fine! . . . Goodby." . Robert Wallace was his guide, his mentor and his friend for some four weeks. After that he was his friend and mentor, but resigned as guide, tor Broadway took the reins. He had a passion and a genius for investigating metropolitan affairs of lightsome nature. The business marts of Gotham were offensive to him. He thought It silly for mankind to waste its time in work and said so. The teeming fascination of the far sides of the town, so dear to sociologists who love human nature best after it has sweated or suffered off its varnish, found no devotee in him; he could not understand why entire families should live in huddled rooms on Essex street when there were large apartments vacant tn the great hotel flat house next door to the vast mansion inhabited by Mrs. Jack Gerard on Seventy-second street Mrs. Jack Gerard was an old lady of incredible wealth, who tried to hold Time’s hand in pause. That she had failed had been no fault of hers or of the beauty parlors or cosmetic makers. “They would be so much more comfortable if they would go where they would have more room,” Jackson continued, in further comment on the very poor, and would not-listen to the earnest soul which tried to offer explanations. (TO BE CONTINUED.)

Mrs. Spotswood.

Josie and Broadway Jones.