Evening Republican, Volume 19, Number 85, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 April 1915 — The Ambition of Mark Truitt [ARTICLE]

The Ambition of Mark Truitt

By HENRY RUSSELL MILLER

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•YNOPBI*. Mark Truitt decides to Wave M« town or Bothel to **k his fortune. Hie Sweetheart. Unity Martin. encourages him la Ms project.

CHAPTER ll—Continued. Ho went again to the cupboard and took down a battered tin candlestick Ho lighted it* candle and started toward the Inward door. Half-way, he etopped abruptly and turned, his mouth working strangely. -If ye ever git rich,” he dragged the words out slowly, even painfully, "some back here an' build a steel plant. There’s a heap of fine coal an* Iran in these hills, an* the river an* railroad'll give ye good transportation. This valley’s meant fur it I was jest a little too early—an* a little too ignorant, I reckon. But ye’re smarter an’ better schooled than me, an* the time’s cornin’. I’d like to see a Truitt build tt.” Never before had Simon Truitt spoken of his dream and failure to his son. "Why, yes,” Mark answered, on a sudden pitying impulse. Til think about it” "Tec. Keep thinkin’ about it. It’s — ft’s a big idea." Mark started. The phrase again! Simon went to the window and peered out into the silvery night—toward the south. Then he moved heavily toward the door. He turned again; the flickering light from the candle threw the lined, patient face into sharp relief. "Good night, Mark." "Good night, father." The door closed. For many minutes Mark, left alone, absently fingered the pocketbook and thought of the man who had given it to him. Then he blew out the lamp and rose from the tabla. He, too, paused at the window and looked out into the night, toward the oovth. He tried to see the sleeping valley as his father had dreamed it. alight with the fires of many furnaces, palpitant with the rumble of many engines. He thought he saw it. The picture faded. He saw only a vague shadowy mass in a moonlit -meadow, the dismantled forge, silent witness that for those who march upon the battlefield that is called industry is no third choice. They must ettaguer —or be conquered!