Indianapolis Times, Volume 35, Number 176, Indianapolis, Marion County, 2 December 1922 — Page 8

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A Hoosier Chronicle By MEREDITH NICHOLSON First Noveì in thè Times Series of Fiction Storie by Indiana W riters (Copyright. 1912. by Meredith Nicho’.son.)

“I think It would be better If he didn’t,” replied Dan. relleved that she had antlcipated hls thought. “I was only a messenger boy anyhow and I didn’t know wiiat my errand was about that day.” “He doesn’t remember faces well,” said Sylvia, “and wouldn’t be likely to know you." Aa Mrs. Owen asked Dan to ber office at once, it was unnecessary for Sylvia to introduce him to her grandfa ther. Alone witb Mr?. Owen, Dan’s busi ness was quickly transacted. When she bad signed her name. and while Dan was filling in thè certificate, she ecrutinized him closely. “You’re in Mr. Flteh’s office, are you?” she inquìred. “Xot now: but I was there for a lime. I happened to cali on Mr. Fitch this evening and he asked me to bring thè deed over.” “Let me see. I don’t believe I know any Harwoods here." “I haven’t been here long enongh to be known,” answered Dan. looking up and smiling. Mrs. Owen removed her hat and tossed it on a little stand, as though Uats were a nuisance in this world and not wortny of serious consideisitìon. She continued her observalion of Dan, who was applyìng a blotter to bis signatur-. *Tli have to take this to my office to affix thè seal. I’m to give it to Mr. Wright in thè morning for recording." "Where is your office, Mr.- Harwood?" she aswed flatly. "Boordman building.” answered Dan, surprised to find bimself uncomfortable under her direct, penetrating gaze. “Humph! So you're Morton Bassett's young man who was written up in thè ‘Advertiser.’ ” “Mr. Bassett has trivtn me a chance to read law in his office. He’s a prominent man and thè 'Advertiser* c.hose to put its own interpretation on his kindness to me. That’s all," answered Dan with dignity. “Sit stili a minute. I forget eometimes that all thè folks around here don't kr.cw me I didn’t meati to be inquisitive, or disagreeable: I was just looking for information. I took notice of that ‘Advertiser’s’ piece because Mr. Bassett mani ed my niece, so I'm naturaily interested in what he does.” "Yes. Mrs. Owen. I underetand.” Ittn had heard a good deal about Mrs. Sally Owen, in one way or another. and persuaded now. by her change of toro, tliat she had no intention of piliorying him for Bassett's misdeeds. he beiran u> enjoy his unexport ed colico uy with lier. She hent forwarti and clasped her veined, bony hands on thè tabie.

"I'm glad of a chance to talk to you. It s providential. your turning up this way. 1 just carne tò town yesterday and Edward Thatcher dropped in last night and srot to talkirg torne al>ut his boy.” “Alien?” Dan was great ly surprised at this rum of thè conversation. Mrs. < iwen’s tone was wholly kimi, and she seeme.l deeply in eurnest. “Yes. I mean Alien Thattìher. His father says he’s taken a great shine to you. I hardly know thè boy. but he's a little queer and he's always been a little sickly. Edward doesn't know how to handie him, and thè ioy's ma—weH. she's one of those Terre Haute Bartlows. and those people never would stay put. Edward s maiir too much money for bis wifes good, and thè United States ain't big enough for her and thè glrls. But that boy got tireil o’ gal’ivanting around over there. and he's ’ ack here on Edward’s hands. The boy’s gaits are too much for Edward. He say- you and Alien get on well to.ether. T met him in thè bank today •nd he asked me about you.” “I like Alien:- -”m even very fond of him. and I wish I could help him find himeelf. He's arausing”—and Dan laughed. remembering their first meeting—'“but witli r fine serious, manly side that you can’t help iik ng.” “That’s nice: it’s mighty nice. You be good to that boy. and vou won't ’ose anything by it. How do you and Morton get on?” “First-rate, I hope. He’s treated me generously.’’ Then she fastened her eyes upon him with quizzical severity. “Young man. thè ‘Advertiser’ >eems to think Morton Bassett is crooked. What do you think about !t?” Dan gasi svi and stainmereci at this llsconcerting qiiestion. She rested her arms on thè table and bent toward him thè humor show ing in her eyes. "If he is crooked. young man. you needn’t think you bave to be as big a einner as he I?!, You remember that Sally Ofc-en told you that. Be ;c u r sown boss Morton’s a terrible persuader. Funny for me to be talk;ng to you this way; I don't usually gèt confidential so quick. T guess”— and her eves twinkled—‘'well Tiave :o con Rider ourselves old friend? to ir.ake it right.” “You are very kind. indeed. Mrs. Owen. I see that I have a responsibillty about Alien. I’U keep an eye on him. “Drop in now and then. I eat a good many Sunday dinners alone when I'm at homo, and you may come wlienever you feel like facing a tiresome old woman across thè table.” She followed him into thè Pali, where they ran into Sylvia, who had been upstairs saylng good-night to her grandfather Mrs. Owen arrested Sylvia’s fiight through thè hall. “Sylvia, I guess you and Mr. ìlarwood are already acquainted.” “Except.” said Dan, “yiat we liaven't been introduced!” “Then. Miss Garrison. this is Mr. Harwood He’s a Tale College man, so I read in thè paper.” “Oh. I already know that'” replied Sylvia, laughing. “At Wellesley please remember. Miss Garrison. about thè Kalamazoo cousins," said Dan, his hand on thè rfront door. Ik'T guess you young folks didn't need Us\ introduction.” observed Mrs “Don’t forget to come and s*e Harwood ” 7 CHAPTER XI iiWfoetimes, in tha rapid progress of Jgp acquaint&nce ,Alien Thatcher ex

asperated Harwood, but more often he puzzled and interested him. It was clear that thè millionaire’s son saw or thought he saw in Dan a type. To be thought a type may be flattering or r.ot; it depends upon thè point of view. Dan hlmself had no illusions in thè matter. Alien wanted to see and if possible meet thè locai characters of whom he read in thè newspapers; and he began Joining Harwood In visita to thè hotels at night, hoping that these wonderful representatives of American democracy mlght appear. Harwood's acquaintance was widening; he know, by sight at least, all thè prominent men of thè city and State, and aster leaving thè newspaper he stili spent one or two evenings a week lounging in thè hotel corridori?. Tradltion survived of taller giants before thè days of thè contemporaneous Agamem-, nons. Alien asked questiona about these and mourned their passlng. Harrison. thè twenty-third Presidenti Gresham. of thè brown eyes. judge and Cabinet ministeri Hendricks, thè courtly gentleman, sometirne Vice President: “Uncle Joe" McDonald and "Dan” Voorhees. Senatore in Congres?, and loved in their day by wide constituencies. These had vani shed, hut Dan and Alien made a pious pilgrimage one night to sit at thè feet of David Turpie, who had been a Senator in two widely separated eras. and who. whlte and venerable. like Aigyptos, knew Innumerable thlngs. The active politiclans who crossed his horlzon interested Alien greatly: thè rougher and more uncouth they were thè more he admlred them. They were fìgures in thè great experiment. no matter how sordld or contemptible Harwood pronour.eed them. He was always lookfng for “types” and “Big” Jordan, thè Republlcan chlef. afforded him thè greatest satisfaction. He view od thè locai politicai scene frorn an angle that Harwood sound amusing, and Dan suggested that it must be because thè feudal taint and thè servile tradition are stili In our blood that we submit so tamely to thè rule of petty lordlings. In hls exalted moments Allen’s ideas shot far into thè air. and Dan sound lt neeessary to pulì him back to earth. “I hardly see a Grek frieze carved of these brethren,” D;m remarked one night as they loungvd at thè Whitcomb when a meeting of thè Sfate committee was In progress. “These fellows would make you weep 1/ you knew as much about them as I do. Thore's one of thè brighi llghta now—thè Honorable Ike Pettit. of Fraser. The Hon. Ike lsn't smart enough to be crooked; he’s thè heliowiog Falstaff of thè Hoosier Detnecnicy. I wonder who thè laugh's on just now; he's shaklng like a Jelly fih over something.”

"Oh, I know him! He and father are great chums; he was at thè house for ilinner last night,” “What!” Harwood was unfeignedly surprised at this. The editor of thè “Fraser Oounty Derr.oerat” had probably never dineil at thè Bassetts’ in his own town, or at least Dan assumed as much; and since he had gained an insight into Bassett's affairs he was aware that thè physical property of thè “Fraser County Democrtit” was mortgaged to Morton Bassett for quite all it was worth. It was hardly possible that Thatcher was cultivating Pettit's acquaintance for sheer joy of his society. As thè ponderous edstor lumbere.l across thè lobby to where they sat. Dan and Alien rose to receive his noisiiy fonllal -ilutations. On his visita to thè capitai, arrayed in a tremendou.s frock coat and with a flapping slouch hat crowning his big iron-gruy head, he was a prodigious figure. "Boys,” he said. dropping an arm around each of thè young men, “thè Demoora tic party is thè hope of manklr.d. Free her of thè wicked bosses, boii thè corruption out of her. and thè grand old Hoosier democracv will appear once more upon thè mountain tops as thè bringer of glud tiaings. What’s thè answer, my lads. to Uncle Ike’s philosophy?” “Between campaigns we're all reformers," said Harwood guardedly. "I feel it working in my own System.” “Between campaigns,” replied thè Hon. Isaac Pettit impressivley, “we re all a contemptible lot of cowards, tha s what’s thè matter with us. M as Thomas Jefferson engaged tri manlpulating Dld he obstruct thè will of thè inopie” Not by a long shot. he did not! And that grand old patriot. Andrew Jackson, wasn’t satisfied to take his licker or let it alone without being Uke a heathen in his blindness. btiwing down to wood and stone carved into saloons and dlstilleries?” ’lfs said by virtuous Republicans that our party is only a tali to thè liquor Interest?. If you're going back to thè Sage of Monacello, how do you think he would answer that?” “Blesa you. my dear boy; it's not thè saloon.? we try to protect; it’s thè plaln people, who are entitled to thè widest and broadest liberty. If you screw thè lid down on people too tight, you’il smother ’em. I'm not a drinking man: I go to church and in my newspaper I preach thè felicities of sobriety and domestic peace. But it’s not for me to diciate to my orother what he shall est or wear. No, sir! And look here, don't you try to read me out of thè Democratic party, young man. At heart our party'.? as sweet. and strong as corn, yea. a.s thè young corn that 1 capetti to thè rair.s of .lune. It’s thè busse? that's keepin' us down." "Your re.'-'i-ejifji lo c orn throws us back on t’-e •listnieries.” suggested H.ry-ood ’-'Uglli’tg. But he was regarding thè Honorable Isaac P?ttit attentively. Since his first visit to Fraserville Dan had heard many intoresting and amusing things about thè editor Pettit had begun li si- as a lawyer. but '■>> 1 relapserl into rural joumalisin ’*tor a futile effort to fini Oli*-* He bàd one reputate • as an o•-v and Dan haheard him make a sp *-c’> distinguished by humor and boniely good senso a, a meeting of thè T-?mocratic State Editoria 1 Associatimi. Pett.il. having once sa* heide Henry Watlerson at pt'M'c ffnner in Uouisville. had thrreafter encouraged aa modestly aa possible a superstition that he and Mr. Watlerson were thè last survivois of

DOINGS OF THE DUFFS —

4/hello, 1 have. N l/VODCAU-MeÌ Cf THERE, LOOK AT THAT ! ì VMHftTÌI (T VU H'i THAT’S STOL^T^ ME ' )sfw’ , !!SisE E 7 50METH1NG1N HERE FOR ) H TuRKEV FOR ) A p RET TV l A NICE TuRKEV.' } tLZrr >N THE HOUSE ) Ì DAnn v? DON’T LET HIM < ReaDV VOO TO PLAY W|T H - / BIRO l ) V TEKI DOLLARS óEEMS | AND IT WILL HERE UNTIL l i KEEP HIM IN ) *> | NO LIKE A LOT OF MONEV JIAST A LO N G J \ "Sf FOR A STUFFED ONE À TIME . ra-WANT TO SORPRISE HIM,- U ( EVEN SQuawK i |jjj b -V

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TU KM DAVIS iiS GOAF FOKEVER —

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thè “ohi school” of American editors. One of bis favorite jokes was thè use of th? editorial “we” in familiar conversatimi; he said “our wife” and “our sanctum.” and he ainused himself by introducing into thè “Democrat” trifling incidentß.of his domestic lif*-, beg. .ning these items with such phases as, “While we were weeding our asparagus bed in thè cool of Tuesday

OUT OUR WAY—By WILLIAMS

THE OLD HOME TOWN—By STANLEY

morning. our wife—noble woman that she is—” et*-.. • 10. His squibs this cha.ract.er. quoted sometimes in metropolitan newspapers, afforded him thè greatest glee. He appeared ocrasionaliy as a lecturer, his favorite sub ject being American huinor; and he was ablc to prove by his scrap-book that he had penetrated as l’ar east as Nenia, Ohio, and as far west aa Deca-

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tur. 111. Once, so ran Fraserville tradition. he had been engaged for thè lyeeurn < nurse at Springfield, Mo.. hut his contract had been canceled when ir was sound that his discourse was uiiltumined by thè stereopticon, that vivifying accessory being Just then in high favor in that community. Out of iris own reading and reflections Alien had r each ed thè conci uaion

Tom Tries to Please

iVLTOtSTZE : 'ì ff x A \ f ‘vNUAT^^T” iESTUEATIM' j r \ ICE CCEÀVA h \ C' uA \ioQ? I BSOOATDAV. ) m C SDtJV, MISTER. ! C J * ) COMT T <s / -—/ CAI2E*T AINT i;- aa \ u I UW)A SOO/ h .:YP| / ' dsssH] f ì -r >A ' 7 C lEW.OH, BàMàNA. , 1 ) { , ' Do! r'

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i that Franklin, Emerson and Lincoln i were thè greatest Aniericans. (To be Continued) JURY FINDS ARTIST IS GUILTY OF PLAGIARISM IHu Lniletl .V<’lfo j CHIC,AGO, Dee. & —An aj-tist must ìnot only palnt hls own picturea, but

FRECKLES AND HIS FRIENDS —By BLOSSER

OUR BOARDING HOUSE—By AHERN

he must. creap thè. figm-es that compose it. a jury of Chic-ago artisis def ided in finding Ge :i’*i Frank guiìty of plagiarisni in his p. ine. “Schelierazade.” exhibited at thè AH-American show here. The similarity of thè ligure of a dancing girl and an attendali! in Fx-ank's pinture to ltgu.es in picture by Baabier, a Fr*nch painter,

DEC. 2, 1922

—By ALLMAN

—By AL POSEN

: justified thè charge of copying made ;by Cari Hoeekner. a brother artist, , thè jury sound. Both eouples trare j e.* nearly thè sanie degree o£ juxtaj position and posture. A decislon \ras delayed for oc day ! vhen one merrtber declared he did not i K.now thè meamng of tbo word pL*j glanam.