Indianapolis Times, Volume 35, Number 172, Indianapolis, Marion County, 28 November 1922 — Page 8

8

A Hoosier Chronicle By MÉREDITH NICHOLSON First Novel in thè Times Serie of Fietion Storie by Indiana Writers • Copyright. 1912, by Meredith Xiiiiolaoir )

BYNOPBIS Whlle musili? in her favorite retreat oetr thè lake on thè day* sbe will spendi at college. VLVIA GARRIBC rneets for thè first time MORTON BASSETT. prominent politician and fatber of ber etri friend, MARIAN. Whlle Bassett ts luost polite, Sylvia rannot fail to notieo how rarply he surveys ber. Aster a short conversation he aceompanie* her back to thè boiiar., tellina ber io ad' ise MRS. SAU,Y OWEN, hi* aunt. tbat he iJI drop in tosco her before ho return to Franservtlle. Beeause cf hls abtllty to handle <tlff 1 - cult naaiynments, tho editor of tbe Mer has direoted ARWOOD to flnd EDWARD G THATCHER. to verify reporta a to certatn transaetiona by wlileh Thateher In eonjunctlon wlih Mortoli B*ssett le belteved to be effeotina a mersrer of varlous giara manufacturing Intereals. Aster trying all thè varlous club. Harwood roakea a trip to thè apparently deerteli Thateher niansloii and !■ minila, ,1. atter mueb effort. by un unaeaumlnti young man wbaee attire gire no cicw to bla vocation. Th® pumps wlth thè scarlet socks showlng below thè overalls, turned at thè end of thè broad hall and began nscendlng thè stalr. The young m&n's manner was perfectly assured. He had not taken hls hands from hls pocket, and he carrled hlmself with .in eaee and compoaure that set Dan's conjectures at naught. In thè abenee of thè fandly, a servant might , hus conduct hlmself; and yet, lf Thateher was not at homo, why .should ho be thus ushered lnto thè ■liner sanctltles of thè manslon by bis singular young person, whose Ik Uose and brlght pumps were so iterly out of harmony wlth thè rest >f Vils garb. There might be a trick in lt: perhaps he had intruded upon a burglarlous lnvoslon—tlda lnvitation to tho upper chanibers might be for thè purpose of shutting hlm In sometvhere untll thè place had been lootod. It was, In any case, a novel adventure and hls eurloslty was aroused by thè languid pace with which, wlthout jiauslng at thè second lloor. thè young man contlnueel on to thè third. Harwood grasped hls stick moro tlmily when they gained thè (hlrd iloor. If violence was in thè program ho meant t<> nieet lt gallanti}*. Hls conductor pjissed through a spacious bedroom, and led thè way ro a pleasiint lounging and reading room wlth walls line! with books. Wlthout pausing he tlung open a door that divulged a shop, with a benoh and tools. The litter of carpentry on thè bare floor testified to thè room's i-ecent use.

"Sit down, won’t you, and have a cigar?” Dan hesltated. He felt tliat he must be thè rietini of a practlcal joke. and lt was tlme that hls dignity asserted itself. He had accepted it cigar and was holding it in his fingerà, sfili standing. His strane® guide struck a match and held it. so that Dan perforo® took advantage of tlie proffered , fiame: and he noticed now for thè tirsi | tlme thè young fellow’s slender, nervous hands, which bore so marks of hard toiL He eontinued to watch them with Interest as they sound and SUed a pipe. They were amazlngly ìeft, espressive hands. "Have a chair! It’s a good one: I made it myself!” "Pardon me, hut I must see Mr. Thateher. Where is he. please?” •‘He's gone, skippedl Xo manner of ose in looklng for him. On my honor. he’s not In town.” "Then why didn’t you say so and i>e done with it?” dentandoli Dan an -rily. "Please keep your seut.” replieii thè : young fellow from thè Work bendi. "I ; really wish you would.” "May I ask just who you are and ivhy on earth you brought me up bere?” “Those are fair questioni?—two of them- To thè first, I am Alien Thateher. and thls is my father's house. To thè second —” He hesitated a moment, then shrugged his shoulders and laughed. "Well. - if you must know—l was so devillsh lone--ome!” He gazed at Harwood quizzically, with a haif-huroorous, half-ilejected air. “If you’re lonesome, Mr. Thateher, it must be beeause you prefer it th:it ,vay. It can’t be necessary for you to > esort to kidnaping just to bave somebody to talk to. T thougbt you ere in Europe.” “Nothing as bad as that! What’s ;our name, if you don’t mind?” When Dan gave it. Thateher nodded and thanked him. The whimsìcal humor that twinkled in his eyes oecasionally was interestmg and pleasing; and Dan imagi ned ••hat he was enjoying thè situation. •Sllk socks and overalls were probably i part of some whiro: they certainly idded picturesqueness to tbe scene. Hut thè city editor must he informed ’hat Edward G. Thateher was beyond his jurisdiotlon and Dan rose and !T,oved toward thè door. Alien jumped iown and crossed to him quickly. "Oh, I say! T really wish you ■vouldn’t go!” There was no doubt of thè pleadng In his voice and manner. He laid a hand ver?- gently on Uan’s arm. ■’But I’ve gotto get back downtown, lf your father has really gone md isn’t hidden away bere somewhere.” “I’ve cut you a slice right out of thè eternai truth on that, old man. K’ather will be In Xew Tork for breakfast In thè morning. Search thè house all you please; biit. do you know. I’d rather like you to believe me." “Of course. I believe you; but It’s •xld thè office didn't know you were bere. They told me you and your mother and sisters were abroad, but rliat your father was in town. A per sonai item in thè ‘Courier' this moming said that you were all in thè Hartr. Mountalns.” "I dare say it did! The newspapers keep them all pretty well before thè publie. But I've had enough junket!r.g. I’m going to stay right here for a whlle.” "Tou prefer lt here —is that thè idea?” "Tes. T far.cy I should if I knew it; I want to know it. But I’m all klnds óf crazy. you know. They 1 really think I ni clear off, siinply be- j ■•ause their kind of thing doesn't muse me. I lost too much as a ki.l i Belng away from home. They said I; had to be educateli abtoad. and fhre vou see me—Dresden awhile. Berlin •nother while. a lot of Genova., and ! -arie for grand spreee And my lung , --■fciTrn-rs ‘b sretise if thev -ariti- 1

me to do ;i winter on thè Nile-, — Ughi The very thmight of Kgypt makes me ili now.” "lt all sourids pretty grand to ine. ; I was never cast of Boston in my lise." “By Jove! I congratulate you,” j exelalmed thè young inan fervidi}*, j "And Tll wager that you went to ) school at a cross-roads schoolhouse, | and rode to town in a f;irm wagon ! to see a circus that had llons and elephants; and you probably ehopped wood and broke colta uid went swlmming In nn old swimmin’ hole and did all thè other things you rea il about in American biographlos and story books. I can see it in your ! eye; an i you talk like lt, too.” "I dare say I do!” laughed Dan. “They’ve ;l\vays told me that iny voice sounds like a nutnieg grater." "They flled mine off! Mother was quite strong for thè Italian ‘a,’ and I’m afraid l've caught it, just like a dlsease." “I should cali it a pretty good case. T was admiral of a canal boat In Xew Jersey one sunimer trying to cani enough money to carry my sophomore year in college, anil cussing th<- mules ruineii my hope of a reputahle accent, It aimost spoiled my Hoosier dialeet!" "By George, I wonder if thè canalboat people would take me! It would be less lonesome than working at thè bench here. Dad saj-s I can do anything I like. He’s tlclcleil tc death beoause I’ve come home. Ile’s really thè right sort; he did all thè hornyhanded business hlmself plowi.nl corn. wore red mlttens to a red schoolhouse, and got lleked with a hlckory stick. But he doesn’t understand why I don’t either take a job in his office or gallop thè Paris boulevards wlth mother and tlie girls; but he's all right. W'e’ro gi-eat jjuls. But thè rest of them inaile a row beeause I carne home. For a whlle they had dad’s breweries as an excuse for keep ing away. and my lunga! Dad hid thè breweries. so their hope of a villa at Sorrento is in my chest. Dad says lung-i have been tlieir maln asse;. There's really nothing thè matter with me; thè hest man In Xew York told me so as I c.me through.” They stooil near *he shop door du - ing this interchatige. Dan forgot. In his inereasing interest and mystification. that thè "Courier’s” city editor was walting for news of Thateher. thè i ipitalist. Young Thatcher's narrative partook of thè nature of a protesi. He was seriousl.v In rehellion against hls own expatriation. ile stood -i-ect now. with thè color bright in his cheeks. one hand thrust into his poi'ket. thè other elenching bis pipe.

"I teli you.” he declared. "I’ve missed too much! I,ife over here is a big thing!—it’s wonderful, marvelous, grand, glorious! And who am I to spend winters on thè dead old Xil when history is being made right here on "White River! 1 teli you 1 want to watch thè Great Kxperiment. and if I Were not a poor, worthless, ignorant ass I’d be a part of it." Dan dlil not question thè young fellow’s slncerity. His glowlng eyes and thè half-choked voice in which he con cluded gave an authentic stamp to his lament and pronouncement. The situation was so novel that ,-iarwood’s mind did not respond with h“ promptness of his heart. He luui tnown thè sons of rich men at col lece, and some of them had been his friends. l'an was suddenly conscious that ‘lh young fellow’s eyes were hent upon him wlth a wlstfulness, a kind of pleading sweetness. that ’he reT'orter had no inclination to resist. He dolayed speaking, anxioius to say thè tight word, to meet thè pica in thè right spirit. "I think I understand; ! believe I should feel just as you do if I were In your shoes. It’s mighty interesting. this whole big schema we re a part of. Over Ihere on thè other side it’s all different, thè Use, thè ainis, and thè point of view. And here we’ve got just what you cali it —thè most wonderful experinient thè world cv< r saw. Orent Scott!" he exelalmed, kindling frorn thè spark stiuck by Thatcher’s closing words, "It’s prodigious, overwhelming! There rnustn’t be any question of losing!” "That’s righi!” broke in Thateher * agerly; “that’s what I’ve been waniing somebody to say! It’s so beautiful. so wonderful: thè hope and promisi. are so immense! You believe lt; I can see you do!" he concluded flappily. His hand stole shyly from thè pocket that seemed to be its inevitabili h.iding-place. and pausivi uncertalnly; then he thrust it out, smillng. "AVill j’ou shake hands with ine?” “I,et us be old friends,” replied Dan heartlly. “And now I’ve gotto get out of here or lil lose my job.” "Then I should have to get you another. I never meant to keep you so long. You’ve been mighty nice about it. I suppose I couldn’t help you— I meati about dad? All you wanted was to see father or fini you oouldn’t.” "I had questiona to ask him, of course. They were altout a glass-fac-tory deal wlth Bassett.” "Oh, I dare say they bought theml ile asked me if I didn’t want to go into thè glass business. He talks to me a lot about things. Dad’s thinking about going to thè Sonate. Dad’s a Democrat, like Jefferson and Jackson. If he goes to thè Senato ITI have a chance to see thè wheels go round at Washington. Perfectly bully for me!” "You’d better be careful! Thei-e’s a "od story in thatl" ’■ it you wouldn’t! You see, rio noi supposed to know!" “Bassett and your father will probably pulì lt off. if they try hard enough. They’va pulled off worse things. lt you’re Interested in American types, you should know- Bassett. Ever see hlm?” Alien laughed. His way of laughing was p!eaant: there was a reai Pubbli ng mirth in him. ”It must be bully io nieet inen like that—thè men who have a hand in thè big things. I must get dad to Introduce me. 1 suppose you know everybodv!" be ended admiringly. They retraeed their steps through thè sileni bou-•* and down to tho front-doni "oi,; r, . their tali- As ■ r word on

DOINGS OF THE DUFFS—

C cn, WELL - IS/E SPHNT TEW DoLLARS fcrf THISPADDLE IS FOR /ZA (A ' /damHV, VOURE. THE J.UCKY /SS. —KT AWO NO RKEV -R DANMV-THERESHEy cq\-irr H / CSOV-MOW WELLHAVE ,} ( PLACE WHERE THEV RAFFLE \\||f j 60E5-AMD HE / V><\ \TURKE/ FOR. THAWKDG'VIWG* , ( offe -we™v , | £ y ff —■-< ' ,11. OHE .OR W.HKasmHay . a

r . —V ( ONE AT A \ i One — —( Time ie> A L ___ i please ione ) j ’lj 'J|( I! \ \ ; AT A TIME l)! , ;J.' I 1 ; SMALLCHANCE CF ANSIME. II SUPPINGr IN UNNCTÌCEO WAEN ELF DAKIKi S_J-TV\|'ÌIAM> TAKES TICKETS AT YME RxTF' BALL GAMES- J

THLii liAiiV iiS (JONE FOUEVFR—

AkXO (OOAfT YOU HAV6 A I HATe TO SEE YOU GGT VCVR vkrsTiS 3 TOiOIC,Qr?? -YOU roeep AOAiÌ COITA JUST THE SHAiWe OM Tt>F IT’S ? \T eteeTTy ©ap—• wou J ve ha,p— wliß ' ’

J 'i tt/JSSc TokL; too jS SOME FOLKS THOO<MT. DOCTOR PILLSBURV TODAY CAEUED ON FOaR FOLKS wHO ATTENDED THE AFFA\R-

thè veranda steps he acted on an i' s pulso and said: “Have with me tomorrow night— we won’t cali it dinner —at thè Whiteomb House. ITI ineet you in thè lobby at 6 o’clock. The honorably State committee is in town and ITI point out some of thè moki ers of our politicai destinv Tìiei >- lev to thè eye. I can tei >ui!"

OUT OUR WAY—By WILLIAMS

THE OLD HOME TOWN—By STANLEY

AUen's ea.ger acquiescence, his ! umbling. munii ured thanks, emhasized Dan's sense of thè forlorn ife young Thateher had described. “So thè old boy's skipped, has he?' ■lemanded thè city editor, “Well, ihat’s one on us' Who put you on?" "I kept at thè bell until thè door , pi-ned and I saw Thatcher’s -on Ha told ,na.”

THE INDIANAPOLIS TIMES

“Well, that sounds definite; but if doesn’t make any difference now. We’ve just had a tip to let thè deal tlone. For God’s sake keep at thè iaw, Harwood, this businéss is bell. The city editor bit. a fat cigar sava.grly. "You no sooner strike a. good bili;-, end ivork on it for two da.' • han you butt into a daad all. What .

Danny Does thè Trick

Perpetrato This 011 Your Piccolo

Xo: there’s nothing more for you tonight." CHAPTER IX A brief note from Mortoli Bassett. ilated at Fraserville, reached Harwood in Julv. In five linea Bassett asked Dan to nieet him at thè Whiteomb House on a day and hour succlnctly spelli li ed.

FPECKLES AND HIS FRIENDS— By BLOSSER

ISi In 7Y ' rX) * ! fi ‘ s. ' $ ' / li! m i ! / \ ( 7 BiT n I iIV fa-—.- . 1 SAO MO c VOU éja? mnni/AMTI \ To 9ED SO VOU CAIA 6cT J H WAMr V-V BCSAWPAST | j uP EACLY anD Go cnER to Pa kcm Gb x wontt / aumt Emma S ano see them J WS a A r- T . a<-tc *iw L kTLLWEICTUQkEV. r -fa Ej - a / —J TWt ÌM TH r" _t MS

if/ MARTHA NATEAP - , Jfafa ~~~~ ' FA- HA VeU mF U)E 1 HAVE A*sl EXCELtEViT \ " ‘ TURKEVV ' DEPENi'DE'D FLAki "THAT ViILL SAVE \/ ( V\E I- D VJlki L o ki FiM FOR / VoU PRAcrTICALLV HAL-F \ ' X MItLL GIVE: ) VJOULD E " 0( jR VJUAT A-fUPKEV MIOUV-D | YoUTUSTOKiH I A - GlVlklG FEEU, COSTTO SAT9FYTHE \ cUAKiCB TO \ 2IST TH' OUIV palate of tuie House- rafflh voUR- ) Be a / twuvìgthaTd \FVOU GIVE ME FWE cc, pr ntl-r OF I \ CORK / 6ET\TS FILU 30LLARS I CAU GET \ SELF OUT OF \ , _ / , WoULX( l-TNEbiT/ RAFFLE CHAUCES \TH' BATHTUBf \OU A TURKEY? VoU ' Z m_S — —^ \ SEE/ MV ODX>9 OF < i j T% ■bA VliLiLi'KiG \T YJOLiLD jPvSÌ ■ ■■ ,MAU"OR'S PLAtJ IS VofDTURKEV'vIOW —' *

OUR BOARDING HOUSE—By AIIF.K\ T

Harwood had long since exhausted thè list of Hoosier sta tesmeii selected fot niches in tlie Courier’s pantheon. Aster his vi.sit to Fraserville. he had niet. Bassett occasionali}' in tho Street or at thè Whiteomb House; end severa! times Vie had caught a glimpse of him passln* through thè ieception room of thè !aw office iato

NOY. 28, 1922

—By ALLMAN

—By AL POSEN

Air. Pitch' private rooiu. Hls conforence were alwnys wlth Pitch alone, end they were sometimes of length. Ba-ssett heiieved rhat hi rari v woiilu refrain its lost prestigi and come into power a gain: meanwhile, he prospere*! in business and wielded thè Demoeratic minority at thè Siate house effeetively (Xo be Continuaci)