Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 141, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 June 1914 — BROADWAY JONES [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

BROADWAY JONES

by EDWARD MARSHALL

FROM TfiE PLAY CT GEORGEM.COW4 . * 4. . ' ’ 'V*. ■

WITH PHOTOGRAPHS ’ FROM SCENES IN THE PLAY by cue wujHt&AM co:

’ , : SYNOPSIS. • .‘-’ft .TOG. 7 _—. Jackson Jones, nicknamed "Broadway” ••cause of his continual glorification of Few York’s groat thoroughfare. Is anxious to get away from his home town of JonesvilW. Abner Janes, his uncle, is tor angry because Broadway refuses to. settle down and take a place in the gum I factory in which he succeeded, to - his father’s interest. Judge Spotswood informs Broadway that *250,000 left him by fete father & at his disposal. Broadway makes record time in heading for. his favorite street in New York, With his New York friend, Robert Wallace, Broadway creates a sensation by hia extravagance an the White Way. Four years •ass and Broadway suddenly discovers that he - is not only broke, but heavily In debt. HO. applies te his uncle for a loan and receives a package of chewing gum with the advice to chew ft and forget his troubles. He quietly seeks work without ' success. Broadway elves what is intended to be a farewell supper to his New Tork friends, and before it is over becomes engaged to Mrs. Gerard, an ancient wid&w; wealthy and very giddy. Wallaoe expostulates with the aged flirt and her youthful fiance, but falls to better the situation. He learns that Broadway te broke and offers Mm a position with his father’s advertising flrm, but it te declined. Wallace takes charge of Broadway’s affairs. Broadway receives a teftegram announcing the death of his Uncle Abner In Europe. Broadway te his sole heir, Peter Pembroke of the Consolidated Chewing Gum company offers Broadway for his gum plant and Broadway agrees to sell.'

CHAPTER VII-—Continued. “My goodness, what a curiosity he’ll be to the folks here! Did you tell him we had read in the New York Herald about,his going to get married?” "Yea; I asked him about that.” “What did he say?” “Weil, he started to say something, but his friend broke In and told me not to believe everything I read in the New Tork papers. Broadway didn’t have much to say. His friend did most of the talking.” "Whois her “Name's Wallace. He seems to be a right nice chap. Wide awake, all right. I tried to pump him about what \ Broadway means to do with the gum plant, but he didn’t seem inclined to talk about It, so I dropped it I’m worried about the matter, mom." < SSie. sighed. “I guess everyone in town is. Would the trust close the plamt Ifthey should buy it?” “Why, of course. They don’t care for those old shacks and their machinery. What they’re after is the formula and trade-mark. They do their manufacturing out in Ohio. Where’s Clara?" "I'll have Sammy find her. He’ll be through supper in a quarter of an hour.” y But Sammy entered at the moment "t want you to go find Clara and tell her to come home. I think she’s at Jbsfe Richards’.” Clara bounded in immediately. Sam had found, her in the hammock. She had developed wonderfully since the days when Broadway had taught her new dance steps in the old power house. ■ft— .TOrTO’? “Sam said you wanted something, I*-" ' ' , ‘Yes, I want sou to be here this evening. And. now won’t you run over to Josie Richards’ house and tell her I want to see her tonight about something; very important?” “You want to see her here?” “Yes. Tell her it’s something about the plant Did your mother tell you who's' in town?" ‘Tito. Who?” "The new owner. The young man himself. Remember him? He’s been •way five years."' 'TO ft TO "Remember him! When did he get here?” .+■ "®n the five-fifty. Don’t tell it to

anyone but Josie, and tell her to keep it quiet. He doesn't want anybody to know ft." (Sara nodded, bnt her face wM flushed. “I understand, pa. Shall i tell her that he’ll be here at the and ten bar he’ll likely want to Icynr an about how things stand.” "I’ll hurry.” She started rapidly hut a footstep on the creaking porch tdlfsMa arrested her. She panted- fit an. intense excitement ‘ *T guees that’s him now,” her fathefl dkdsfined, listening intently. "fft let him in, pa.” Half elated and half frightened, she hunted to the little entrance hall and opened the front door, a whiff of cigarette amcAe, wy different from any which the Jonesville hoys emitted.

caressed her nostrilrf as the door swung open, and in the soft gleam of the' evening she saw two waiting figures. .r . “Is Judge Spotswood at home?” asked one of them. “Yes, sir; he’s waiting for you. Don’t you recognize me, Mr. Jones?” ft'’; Broadway stepped with her Into the lighted entry. “Why,” he said, astonished, as he looked at her develop-, ing beauty, “you’re not Clara, are you?” . She could feel the admiration in his tone, rather than see it on bls face, for she could not look up. “Of course I am.” “Well, what do you think of that! You’re —very different —why, you were a little girl last time I saw you!" He pulled Wallace forward by the arm. “This Is my friend, Mr. Wallace. Bob, this Is the Judge’s daughter, Miss Spotswood.” Now, she could see her old friend’s friend more clearly. Instantly she decided that he was the handsomest of living men. She had been genuinely glad to see Broadway. Now, immediately, she forgot that he existed. •Tm going to get Josie,” she exclaimed and fled Into the night. ‘ "By* heck, Broadway," Wallace commented. “There’s a pretty country girt! I didn’t know they did it in such detail in the rural districts." The Judge came to them with a hearty handclasp. "Welcome to this house again, my boy,” said he “It’s been a long time since you have seen this room. Not changed much, eh? We don’t change much in Jonesville” He waved his hand toward Mrs. Spotswood, who was sitting in a flutter of expectancy, but would not rise because it seemed more elegant to remain seated. “Remember that lady?" Broadway hurried toward her. “I should say I do! Hello, Mrs. Spotswood; I’m awfully glad to see you again.” ft. -■

Now she could rise with hill propriety, and did so, taking his hand cordially. “Well, well-, Broadway; It doesn’t seem possible that It’s you.” Smiling In an unfeigned Joy at seeing him, she took him by the shoulders and slowly turned him around for Inspection. “Yes, I guess I’ve changed,” he laughed. “Nobody seemed to know me lij the streets, and I saw only one face that_l recognized.” He brought Bob up. ‘ “This Is Mr. Wallace, Mrs. Spotswood." , She shook his friepd’s hand heartily. “I want 1 you to feel right at home. I guess Broadway knows that all his friends are our friends.” .Wallace really was delighted by the whole atmosphere of simple welcome; and those eyes of Clara Spotswood’s—he wondered if, when Broadway took the full charge of the. gum works and came here td live, there would not be-some reason for a branch dffice of the Empire Advertising agency In Jonesville. The Judge called their attention to a portrait of the dead gum magnate. “It was made ten years ago," he said, in explanation. “But he didn’t change much In his last ten years,” said Mrs. Spotswood. "No; you bet he didn’t," Broadway acknowledged bitterly. “Is Dave in the kitchen, mom?" the judge inquired, as Mrs. Spotswood started for the lemonade. ' “Yes.” ■.

He went to her confidentially, handing her a coin,* as soon as he was sure that Broadway and his friend were lost in contemplation of the portrait. “Give him this quarter then,” he whispered, “ahd tell him to go over to the drug store and get six good cigars for me.” Though this was mad extravagance, she countenanced itupon this great occasion. “I’ll tell him right away,” she promised, and the judge smiled at'her. She always rose to great occasions. “Didn’t remember Clara, did you, when she went to the door?” he genially inquired of “No; J didn’t,” he admitted. "She’s quite a lady now, isn’t she?” "Nineteen, near twenty.” "She’s a mighty pretty girl, judge,” Wallace commented, with fervor. "Well, we’re pfroud of her." The judge made a gesture as if warning them to listen carefully, and then dropped his voice, almost to a whisper. This was the home-coming of a Jones, and this was Jonesville. It should, he held, be celebrated in something stronger than lemonade. With an eye upon the door, he pulled a flask out of his pocket. "I thought maybe you boys would like a little drop of something, so I. brought home this flask. Can’t I fix you up a drink, Broadway?* Jackson guessed its quality, and, though his system yearned for alcohol, rejected the meTO thought “Not now, thanks.” "Mr. Wallace?” Taking his cue from Jackson, Wallace shook his head. "A little later,, judge.” The judge put the flask back in his pocket. "Well, don’t, say anything about it. Mrs. Spotswood would raise thunder if she thought I brought it in the house. She’s an awful temperance crank ” "Not a word from me, judge,” Broad“Nor from me,” said Wallace. They were wondering why he did

not begin to discuss business, but he soon explained. “Wait till you see Sammy,- you won’t know him,” he began, beaming upon Broadway. “He’ll be here directly. I sent him to the office for some papers. I want you to see a copy of that will.” “Yes; I’d like to, Just as soon as possible,” Broadway admitted. The Judge turned to Wallace. “You know very few people imagined that this boy would come in tor It all?” “I can’t understand it myself," said Broadway. “Of course I knew," said’the Judge complacently. “But I always supposed, judge, that the old gentleman hated me.” “No, siree!” exclaimed the Judge. “Of course he didn’t like the idea of your going to New York as soon as you grew, up and not taking hold of the business as your father had. But he never would have bought you out if he’d not been afraid you’d sell to some one else. t ’T know. I was in,his confidence after you went away. He didn’t want

you to go to New York because he didn’t understand you. He never had the least idea that you’d take up the wholesale liquor business down there, or take up any other business for that matter. He feared you’d go squandering your money. “I wish he had known the truth before he died! But he was really very fond of you, though he didn’t always show it In a way you recognized, perhaps. Naturally he would be; never married; no children of his own. “He used to feel hurt that you never came to see him; but he always figured that the plant and gum belonged to you. You didn’t understand one another —you him nor him you. But he did not forget it was your father that first made the gum a real success. That was the real reason he never let go to the trust,” the Judge continued; “that and his regard for this community.”

"It must be an Immense fortune, judge, isn’t it?” asked Wallace. “The Consolidated people offered him twelve hundred thousand dollars for the plant and trade-mark.” “Yes; we know that,” said Jackson. "Mr. Wallace means aside from the gum business.” ’ "Well," said the judge reflectively, “you see those trust fellows have been bo anxious to get the Jones Gum that they’ve been making business pretty warm of late. They knew, for instance, that we had a fund for advertising, and they killed that fund for us two years ago with one of their shrewd business tricks.” Wallace was Interested. "How was that?" “Well, they sent in such a demand on us that we added to the size of the plant and spent the money for machinery. We thought it was the public. We never realized that it was anything but a legitimate Increase till the smash came. They quit all their fake orders. We went back to our normal business, laid off our extra force and found ourselves with a lot of useless machinery and half a dozen superfluous packing houses on our hands — and no advertising done at all that year. Shrewd game, eh?" "Can you heat that?” asked Jackson of his friend.

"Just shows you,” Wallace answered, “what chance a little fellow's got.” “None at all, unless he’s got big capital. That would have ruined a small manufacturer." “What did uncle do then?” Jackson asked, and he lingered for a second on that word “uncle." He was beginning to have new ideas about both gum and uncles. . '• “Turned everything he personally had in all the world Into hard cash and put it bang into the business” This was somewhat startling. “You mean that, aside from the actual chew-ing-gum business, he left very little?” “Nothing at all. Well, I won’t say that, for I believe the plant did actually show a profit last year. When Miss Richards comes she’ll tell you. She’s got it at her finger tips.” “Josie? Does she know as much as that? What’s her position in the factory?” ' ? ~7' -.J ,-..7. “She’s chief accountant, practically manager now. You remember her? Of

course you do. She’ll tell you all there is to tell,” the Judge explained, as Dave came with the cigars. Their mere arrival made both visitors nervous, and when the judge presented them to Broadway he was glad to find it reasonable to disclaim cigarsmoking entirely and light a cigarette. Wallace had no Such excuse. He had been smoking steadily since his arrival until within ten minutes. He never felt like thinking save whan he was smoking and there would be much hard thinking to be done this evening. But to smoke one Jonesville perfecto would, he doubted not, end all thinking for all time, so he declared with fervor that he had, already, smoked as much that day as he was allowed to smoke by his physician. The Judge chuckled as he delved into the bundle of legal papers Bam had brought Then: “Here ft is. It’s a long wilt Take you quite a little while to read it. Better put 1 it in your pocket and look it over when you go to the hotel. And this other stuff we’ll go through later. .“There’s some one at the door. Ell see who it is. Mom’s making lemonade and Sam’s practicing-his banjo Hear him?" Broadway looked at Wallace with a shaking head while the Judge was from the room. “Yqu see? Nothing but the plant I’ve got to sell an- right" Wallace podded In slow affirmation. "Yes, but not at their price Didn’t you hear? The plant showed a profit last year without any advertising? Heavens, man! Think of that! In these days!"

Broadway recalled his very pressing needs. "I can’t afford to take a chance. This Is Thursday. Pembroke said they'd have to. know ;by Saturday noon.” “That’s a bluff.” Broadway looked at him reprovingly. “You don’t seem to realize the enormity of the offense—l mean of the amount It’s twelve—hundred—thousand—dollars." “I tell you to hold out” “But I tell you I cant afford to hold out. I—” “Piano!” Wallace warned. "Mrs. S. Is coming.” And ln4eed she entered vhth a tray ton which there were a pitcher and two glasses. "Here's some nice, cold lemonade,” eh? explained hospitably. Then: "Did the judge go to the door?" Broadway nodded. She dropped her voice to a loud whisper. “I put a drop of whisky In the lemonade. The judge would have a fit if he should find it out. He’s such, a temperance Crank! But he’ll not know. He never will drink lemonade.” Jackson smiled at her with full appreciation of this tribute to him. “I’ll keep your guilty secret," he said solemnly. “With me it’s sacred,” Wallace promised her. She beamed on them and raised her voice. "Well, If you want more just shout out”

“I’m liable to shout most any minute,” Broadway promised, though the. thought of sweetened lemonade—he was intensely certain it was very highly sweetened—was distasteful in the last degree to him, even though there was a little whisky in it Mrs. Spotswood was distinctly peryous as the judge came back, which cheered the friends a little, for the judge had been distinctly nervous when he himself had produced whisky. But an instant later they were diverted from this train of thought by the judge’s answer to his wife’s inquiry as to who was at the door." # “Someone to see you, Broadway,” He was amazed. “Someone to see me?” ‘*l thought nobody knew you were in

town," said Mrs. Spotswood, equally astonished. _- r _". TO. v “Someone must have recognized you on the street" said Wallace. “Lord!” cried Mrs. Spotswood. “That does settle it! Now the whole town will turn out!” But the Judge shook his head. “This man's a stranger. I told him you weren’t here, but he said he knew better. He knows the time you left New York and all about It" Broadway instantly considered Pembroke. “Was he a tall man with gray hair?" "If you’re thinking of Pembroke, it wasn’t him,? the Judge replied. "I know him." Wallace knit his brows. He was not pleased. “Who the deuce was it?” 1 “Mrs. Gerard’s lawyer!" Broadway whispered tb Wallace, worried. "No, no,” he laughed. “He said,” the Judge continued, “that he’d wait for you down at the Grand. He said that it was most Important; that he must see you tonight." “So he went to the Grand hotel?” "Yes." “Did you tell him that I wouldn’t see anybody?" I didn’t even admit that you were here." ' , "Perhaps I’d better go back to the hotel and see who it Is," suggested Wallace. "Yes,” Broadway accepted. “Will you do that, Bob? And hurry back, won’t yod?" "I won’t be any longer than I can help."

CHAPTER VIII. As Mrs. Spotswood turned she saw Josie for the first time, for the girl had instantly begun a low-voiced, somewhat giggling confab with her old friend, Broadway, and was sitting at the far side of the center table, where, to his disgust, the shaded lamp cast but an imperfect light upon her face. The Judge looked at them, grinning, and then did a thing which made Broadway take a silent oath to see to it that all the high-feed law practice which he might find within his gift, thenceforward and forevermore, as long as he should live, should go to no one but Judge Spotswood. "Come, mom, please; they’ve got important things to talk about," the judge petitioned. “Yes, I know,” said she, but was not to be diverted from her hospitality. “Broadway, will you have another glass of lemonade?” “No, thanks; not now." “Josie, have a cup of tea?” “I don’t think so, Mrs. Spotswood.” “Now, mom, please!" the Judge expostulated. “Yes; I’m going," said his wife, but added, as Abe cast at him an angry glance: “You have to be polite to people, don’t you?” With that she flounced out of the room, and, to the distress of Broadway, went alone. Then and only then he realized that the Judge intended to remain. He was actually intent on talking business. Broadway wondered if he might not have to give his legal work to some more intelligent attorney. Could not the gum business wait? But no. The judge was purely business. There was no hope. The young man reconciled himself as best he could. (TO BE CONTINUED.)

“He Didn’t Want You to Go to New York.

“Sammy” Spotswood.