Evening Republican, Volume 19, Number 112, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 May 1915 — Page 2

HELPING THE BOSS

By GEORGE ELMER COBB.

(Copyright, MIL by W. Q. Qfcapmaa.) Nettie Durand aat at her typewriter awaiting dictation. Meanwhile she stole a secret glance more than once at John Ballentyne, office manager for her employer. Mark Lane. She marveled at his quiet, unobtrusive ways. During the past six months he was ever the reticent but uniformly courteous young man on all occasions. It had piqued Nettie somewhat, for she was used to attention, and from the first something in the open, earnest face of her office companion had attracted her. “No life about him. Nettie, that is my opinion,” Elsinore Drury had told her. “He’s stone!” “He has taken me to an entertainment twice,” vouchsafed Nettie, “and I never met a more considerate gentleman.” “No fire, no enthusiasm," differed Elsinore. “Takes things as they go—no initiative.” Somehow Nettie was impressed with the ceremonial dignity of Mr. Ballentyne, yet It was a pleasant contrast to the shallow frivolity of most young men she knew. “I respect him. that I must say," Nettie reflected. Into the office early one morning Elsinore came all in a fluster. She beckoned Nettie into the rear office, out of the bearing of the others. “Oh!” she hurried. “I know I am not doing right in giving away professional secrets, but I think so much of you!” “What now?" challenged Nettie with curiosity. “You know I am stenographer for Mr. Wilson, and that he is a lawyer?” “Yes. Elsinore." “Well, Just a little while ago one of his clients m>m another city comes in and I, of course, overheard all their talk. It was about your employer, Mr. Lane.” “Why, how strange!" “And serious it may turn out for you. dear.” “You startle me, Elsinore!” “WML I’m going to let out a secret. It seems that my employer is the attorney for a Mr. Charles Manville, and

"This Is Indeed Valusble and Timely Information."

Mr. Manville is the man who advanced the capital for your Mr. Lane to start in business.” “I think I have heard something of that,” murmured Nettie thoughtfully. “Anyhow, your Mr. Lane has been ■talking of paying back Mr. Manville for some time. Mr. Manville has got uneasy. So he came to the city to consult for legal advice. He stated his case to our Mr. Wilson. If your Mr. Lane is going to fail, or is in close quarters, or anything like that, he wants to seize on the business to pay himself before a lot of creditors get ahead of him." “Oh, dear!” fluttered the dismayed Nettie, very pale now. “What did your Mr. Wilson tell him. Elsinore?” “He told him that Mr. Lane was out of town, but that he should come to the office here and sort of hang around and see if there really was anything the matter with the business. Then if he was satisfied that there was no immediate danger of his failing, to go back home and visit Mr. Lane when he returned.” “Oh, thank you, dear!" said Nettie, gratefully, but nervously. “I must see Mr. Ballentyne about this at once.’ Nettie timorously approached , the office manager when Elsinore departed. She led him aside out of the hearing of the others. Then she told him all that her friend Elsinore had revealed to her. * John Ballentyne “woke up.” “Still waters run deep,” and the very expression of his intelligent face told Nettle clearly that in times of stress he F 1 ** 1 the firm reserve anchor of a quick intuition and the mental force to decide quickly. “My dear Miss Durant,” he said quietly and with a faint smile lurking about the corners of his Ups. “this Is indeed valuable and timely information. I think lam justified in telling you the* business affairs here are not as thej should be. We owe some bills Sit due and It la in the power of

Mr. Manville or othes creditors to close us out if they take the alarm.” “Oh, I am so sorry for Mr. Lane!" quavered Nettie, ready to cry. “But I also have every assurance," went on Mr. Ballentyne confidently, “that If we can keep the enemy at bay. and this Mr. Manville particularly, for a day or two, the business is saved.”

“I sincerely hope so.” murmured Nettie fervently. “Under the circumstances I can see only one w%y to avoid trouble —a little harmless deceit. Mr. Manville is selfish enough to take advantage of our unfortunate situation for his own benefit and security. I see no harm in disarming him, as no one will be injured, but all parties concerned benefited by the operation.” “What do you mean, Mr. Ballentyne?” questioned Nettie, wonderingly. And then, in a low, cautious tone, John Ballentyne imparted a plan, almost a plot, to his bright littlb friend. Her eyes sparkled with excitement, she gazed with admiration and reliance upon the “stone man.” “Oh, you are so clever!” she breathed, and then flushed hotly, fearing he would think her too familiar.

About fifteen minutes later Mr. Manville walked into the office. His face was stern, suspicious, prejudiced. “Mr. Lane in?” he inquired. “No, sir,” responded Ballentyne, “He is out of the city for two or three days." “H’m! Came quite a distance to meet him. My train does not go back for an hour or two. Believe I’ll sit down and rest, if you don’t mind.” “Not at all, sir. Morning papers?” and in a cheery, helpful way, John Ballentlne made the dreaded guest comfortable. The latter pretended to read, but in reality kept eyes and ears on the alert, as Ballentyne well knew. Never was a plot to inspire confidence more successful than that of John and his faithful ally. Nettie. The Lane office employees were posted as to the part they were to play. Checks, notes, drafts and currency were flashed freely; over the telephone charming Nettle took all kinds of impossible orders. Everything about the place was brisk and busy. Scarcely able to keep her face straight, Nettie took dictation for two letters. They were addressed to two of the leading business men of another city. They showed a closeness of business interests that fairly staggered the foxy creditor, who finally arose and left the office, saying that he wouuld come to town again in about two weeks.

“It’S all right. Mr. Manville has gone home perfectly satisfied,” announced Elsinore, coming into the office a little later. Mr. Lane returned the following day. He had raised new capital. The business was saved.

“And you saved it!” he spoke to Ballentyne, grasping his hand warmly. “Do not forget how nobly Miss Durand helped,” suggested John. “I don't You ought to be partners, you two,” smiled Mr. Lane. “You work so nicely together.” Nettle blushed red. John was momentarily embarrassed. They looked at one another consciously. They smiled, each with pleasure, when they were alone together.

“How did it all come out?” questioned Elsinore a few days later. And Nettie looked confused, but happily so, as she turned a diamond circlet around on her slim, graceful finger. * i

LESSENING A WOMAN’S WORK

Conditions During Recent Years Havs Greatly Improved, and Results Have Been Excellent.

Our women are carrying their years better. Not only is their length of life increasing, but they are making their youth last longer. They are raising stronger children. There is an uplift to the whole race. Many explanations are offered, but the big cause underlying the whole efTect is the improvement of the homes and the lightening of its drudgery. There is now more time for improving the members of the family; more time for culture and travel; more time for civic and other public matters. .z. - Staying young is largely a matter of keeping interested in things, and, to keep interested, there must be variety. So the current criticism that woman is flying from one thing to another and undertaking too much aqd wearing out her nerves is not altogether sound. Some of them do, doubtless, but they are the exceptions. Woman’s great trouble in the past h&s been routine. t ..

Doctors found that the reason so many cases -of mental disease came from the farms was that farm women did not have enough interests. Their loneliness was disastrous. Now that the farm women have the telephone and the automobile And the social societies and other means of diversion and employment, conditions are improving. So, the lessening of woman’s work by system and the use of all labor-sav-ing devices possibly really means that besides the enjoyment of better hours she has time for things that will broaden and stimulate her mind, bring her in association with other women and give her the opportunity to be part of the larger life'and progress of the age. —Woman’s World. i '4

Its Advantage.

“There is one big advantage the gardener has in his graft over all other kinds.” “What Is that?" “He can always get the public U •wallow it.”

THE EVENING REPUBLICAN, RENSSELAER, IND.

MORDECAI BROWN DESCRIBES RECORD GAME

“I’ve played in and watched a good many brill games in my time,” says Mordecai Brown, the noted pitcher, now with the Chicago Federals, “but the record game of them all was staged in St. Ix>uis last season. I was working against Seaton. In the twelfth inning, with the score tied, Brooklyn came up and made seven runs. It got so bad that the last two men struck out on purpose to end the game before darkness, or we might never have retired the side. “Then, with that seven runs handicap and Seaton pitching, we came in and made eight runs with two still on and only one out We could have made three or four more, and I believe they would have done the same. Yet there are people who try to dope out this blooming game.”

ONLY A FEW VETERANS LEFT

Twenty-four of the 330 Players Who Figured in War of 1902 Still Remain in the Big Arena,

Although only 24 of the 330 ball players who figured in the American and National league races of 1902, the last year of the American league baseball war, still remain in the big arena, a team composed of these veterans, all of whom have been In the game upward of 14 seasons, would be capable of bolding its own, with any that might be selected today. All of these players are far above the average in intelligence, which accounts for their remaining in the game so long, are excellent fielders, great batsmen, and with one or two exceptions, grand base runners. This all-star team would line up as follows:

Matthewson, Plang and Hess, pitchers; Bresnahan and Dooin, catchers; Lajoie, first base; Evers, second base; Wagner, shortstop; Wallace, third base; Callahan, left field; Leach, center field; Crawford, right field. x

The manager for this team could be selected from among John McGraw, Fielder Jones, Clark Griffith, Hugh Jennings, Wilbert Robinson and Fred Clarke, as all of these former stars were in the game in 1902, Griffith and McGraw being pilots, as now.

JOHNSON PREDICTS HOT RACE

President of American League Telia of Lots to Athletics and Bracing of Other Clubs.

President Ban Johnson looks for a great race in the American jeague next Beason. Says Ban: “The addition of Eddie Collins to the White Sox, the loss of veteran pitchers and the retiring of Baker, if he really quits; the strengthening of the Red Sox and the general bracing of the clubs will make the race a hummer. The Athletics have been virtually shot to pieces. This will make every club in the league hustle, for a good bit of the fear which the old-timers

President Ban Johnson.

caused in the younger players will be missing. Then the western dubs will be stronger this year. The race should keep the fans on their toes all of the time.”

Worries of Boston Braves.

“The Cardinals and Cubs will be our worries in chief; we do not regard the"* lightly.” This is the summing up of the 1915 National league proposition as expressed by “Rabbit” Maranville of the champion Boston Braves.

Speed McDonald’s Hard Luck.

Speed McDonald, utility Los Angeles infielder, broke an ankle sliding to a jn a workout just a week before the Coast league season opened.

LIFE-LONG JOB FOR WAGNER

“Flying Dutchman” Can Pliy With Pittsburgh Pirates as Long as He Like*—His Career.

Honus Wagner can play with the Pittsburgh team as long as he likes. Barney Dreyfuss, president of the Pirates, recently made this announcement. Barney says that when the big shortstop is too slow for a regular position he will be used for pinch hitting and when he Is no longer able to deliver pinch hits he will be used as a coach for young players. Wagner is growing old, but he is far from being all In as a ball player. He should be good for two or three seasons more at the least. He is a well-preserved ath-

Honus Wagner.

lete and always takes good card of. himself. Wagner, familiarly known as the “Flying Dutchman,” was born in Carnegie, Pa., February 24, 1874. He played professional ball for the first time in 1895 with the Steubenville (O.) team, and later in the same season joined the Warren team of the Iron and Oil league. The following year he joined the Paterson (N. J.) team, where he played two seasons. In 1897 he broke into the big show as a member of the Louisville National league team. During the three years he was with Louisville he was shifted from first base to third base, and finally to the outfield. In 1900 the Louisville team was transferred to Pittsburgh. Honus has been a member of the Pirates eV6r since.

PLAYERS ARE POOR BARBERS

Stuffy Mclnnis Will Never, Again Allow Harry Davis and Larry Lajole to Shave Him.

Larry Lajoie is making good at second base for the Athletics, but he isn’t qualifying as a barber at all. Stuffy Mclnnis will vouch for that. On a recent barnstorming trip of the Athletics Stuffy needed a shave badly. The hotel barber shop was full. Lajoie and Harry Davis volunteeed as barbers. Lajoie stuffed a towel under Stuffy’s chin. Davis applied the lather. Then Harry shaved Mclnnis. The shave didn’t meet with the approval of Larry. He insisted upon going over Stuffy's face again. He used an upstroke where Davis had used downward strokes. Davis wasn’t satisfied until he had turned the trick once more. Mclnnis was game and, .in spite of the way his face smarted and burned, he stuck it out to the finish. Two days later, however, Mclnnis wouldn’t accept another shave from the Davis-Lajoie combination. > r “Never again,” said Stuff 7. “I want to keep my face." - .

PARAMO of SANTA ISABEL

FEW persons wbo live in the temperate zone are aware of the fact that there is quite a large section of country in tropical America, even at the Equator which is a land of sleet and storm during the greater part of the year, where many of the trails are frequently closed to men and beasts attempting to cross are frozen to death. Such a region is the Andean paramo, in the Republic of Colombia.

Three years ago Dr. Arthur A. Allen explored that elevated land in search of bird specimens, and he has described it in the American Museum Journal. The following paragraphs, says the Bulletin of the Pan American Union, embody substantially the more important features of Doctor A) len's interesting account: The paramo of Santa Isabel lies about two days’ journey from Solento, the largest town on the Quindio trail, which crosses the central Andes, and on cleas days, especially at dusk, can be seen at several points rising above the forest-capped ridges to an altitude between 16,000 and 17,000 feet. Beyond it and a little to the east lies the paramo of Ruis, and, most magnificent of all, Nevada del Tolima, with its'crown of crystal snow gleaming in the rays of the setting sun. Many travelers pass over the trail without ever a glimpse of the snows to the north, seeing only the banks of clouds that obscure even the tops of the moss forest and hide all but the near distance.

One morning in early September the naturalists slung their packs ahd started for the paramo of Santa Isabel From Solento the trail to the paramo leads first down into the Boquia valley and then follows the river’s meandering course through groves of splendid palms nearly to its source, when it turns abruptly and begins a steep ascent of the mountain side The palm trees, in scattered groves, continue to nearly 9,000 feet, where the trail begins to zigzag through some .half-cleared country, where the trees/have been felled and burned over, aqd where in between

the charred stumps a few handfuls of wheat have been planted and now wave a golden brown against the black. Wonderful Cloud Forest. And next the Cloud forest! It is seldom that the traveler’s anticipation of any much-heralded natural wonder is realized when he is brought face to face with it. Usually he feels a tinge of disappointment and follows it by a close scrutiny of the object before him in search of the grandeur depicted, but not so with the Cloud forest. According to Mr. Allen it surpasses one’s dreams of tropical luxuriance. It Is here rather than in the lowland jungle that nature outdoes herself and crowds every available inch with moss and fern and orchiiL.Jlere every twig is a garden and the mossladen branches so gigantic that they throw more shade than the leaves of the trees themselves. Giant branches hang to the ground from the horizontal branches of the larger trees and in turn are so heavily laden with moss and epiphytes that they form an almost solid wall and present the appearance of a hollow tree trunk 15 or 80 feet in diameter. One should pass through this forest during the rainy season to form a true conception of its richness, though even during the dryest months the variety and abundance of plant life covering every trunk branch are beyond belief. The great forest, occasionally interrupted by clearings, continues for

ON THE PARAMO OF SANTA ISABEL

many hours of travel up the mountain from 9,000 to about 12,009 feet, where a sudden change occurs. The trees become dwarfed, their leaves small and thick, heavily chitinized or covered with thick down, and remind one of the vegetation about our northern bogs with their, Andromeda and Labrador tea. Here, too, the ground in places is covered with a dense mat of sphagnum, dotted with dwarf blueberries and cranberries and similar plants which remind one of home. Out Upon the Paramo.

A cool breeze greets the traveler, sky appears in place of the great dome of green, and suddenly he steps out upon the open paramo. He has been traveling through the densest of forests, seeing but a few paces along the trail and only a sow rods Into the vegetation on either side; he has grown nearsighted, and even the smallest contours of the landscape have been concealed by the dense forest cover. Suddenly there is thrown before his vision a whole world of mountains. As far sis he can see in all directions, save behind him, ridge piles upon ridge in never-ending series until they fuse in one mighty crest which pierces the clouds with its snow-capped crown. This is the paramo of Santa Isabel.

At this point the party dismounted and led their horses along the narrow ridge. They looked in vain for the jagged peaks that are so characteristic of our northern frost-made mountains. Here even the vertical cliffs did not seem entirely without vegetation, and as far as could be seen with binoculars the brown sedges and the gray frailejons covered the rocks even up to the very edge of the snow. All about them the strange mulleinlike frailejons, as the native call them, stood up on their pedestals, ten or even fifteen feet in height in sheltered snots; down among the sedges were many lesser plants similar j* our North American species gentians, composites, a hoary lupine, a buttercup, a yellow sorrel, almost identical with those of the United States. Birds also, several of which proved

,to be new to science, were numerous, but all were of dull colors and re- ■ minded them in their habits of the open-country birds of northern United States. A goldfinch hovered above the frailejons; a gray flycatcher ran along the ground or mounted into the air, much like the northern homed larks; an ovenbird flew up ahead of them resembling a meadow lark; a marsh wren scolded from the rank sedges; and almost from under their horses’ hoofs one of the large Andean snipes sprang into the air with a characteristic bleat and went zigzaging away. On a small lake which they came to,, barren except for a few algae, rode an Andean teal, surprisingly like the northern gadwall. And so the story goes on. Here almost on the Equator, but 13,000 feet above the level of the sea, they had left the strangeness of the tropics and come upon a land that was strikingly like their own.

He Was a Sufferer.

“Madam,” said the Uttered and torn supplicant to the benevolent lady who* answered his timid rap at the door,, “have you any old clothes you can spare for an unfortunate victim o$ the European war?” "I think I have, my poor man; but how doe* this happen? You cannot have been in thin war, surely.” “No, madam,” humbly replied the sufferer; “but my wife has sent all my clothes to the Belgians." —Harrisburg Times,