Indianapolis Times, Volume 35, Number 177, Indianapolis, Marion County, 4 December 1922 — Page 8

8

A Hoosier Chronicle By MEREDITH NICHOLSON First Novel in thè Times Series of Fiction Stories by Indiana Writers (Copyright. 1012. by Mercdith NichoUon.)

He spoke wlth a klnd of passionate eloquence of This Stupondous Experiment, or This Beautiful Experiment, as he llked to cali America. Dan put Walt Whitman lnto hls hands and afterwards regretted lt, for Alien developed an attack of acute Whltmanla that trled Dan’s patlence severely. Dan had passed through Whitman at college and emerged safely on thè other Bidè. He begged Alien not to cali hlm “camerado" or lift so often thè perpendlcular hand. He’ suggested to hlm that while lt be fine and patrlotio to declalm '"vfhen Iliaca last In thè dooryard bloom’d,” from thè steps of thè monument at midnight, thè police might take another view of thè performance. He beg&n to see, however, that benoath much that waa whlmslcal and sentimenta! thè young fellow was sincerely Interested In thè trend of things In what, during thls Whitman period, he called "these States.” Sometimea AJlen’s remarka on current events struck Harwood by their wisdom: thè boy was wholesomely provocative and stlmulatlng. He began to feel that he understood hlm. and in his own homo lessness Alien became a resource. Alien was a creature of moods, and vanlshed often for days or weeks. He labored fitfully In hls carpenter shop at home or with equal irregularity at a bench In thè shop of Luders, a cablnetmaker. Dan sometlmes sought hlm at thè shop, which was a headquarters for radicala of all sorts. The workmen showed a great fondness for Alien, who had been much in Gerrnany and spoke their language well. He carri ed to thè shop quantlties of German books and perlodlcals for their enllghtenment. The shop's visiterà lncluded several young Americana, among them a newspaper artlst, a ylollnlst in a theater orchestra, and a linotype export. Alien was a friendly soul and everv ono llked hlm. It was imposslble not to like a lad whose ways were so gentle, whose amile was so appealing. He llked dancing and went to most of thè parties—our capitai has not outgrown Ita homely provlnclal babit of calllng all social entertainments “parties.” He was unfallingly courteous, wlth a manner toward women slightly elaborate and remlnlscent of other tlmes. There was no question of hls Boclal acceptance; mothers of : daughters. who declined to speak to hls fathep, welcomed hlm to their houses.

AÌler. lntroduced Dan to thè households he partlcularly fancled and they made calla together on Dan’s free evenings or on Sunday afternoons. Snohbishnese was a late arrivai among us; any young man that any one vouehed for nught know thè “nlcest” girls. Harwood's sodai clrcle was wldenlng; Fltch and hls wlfe sald a good word for hlm In Influenzai quarters, and thè locai Yale men had not reglected hlm. Alien llked thè theater, and exerdsed conslderable lngenulty In devising excuses for paylng for thè tickets when they took young women of their acqualntance. He preteided to Dan that he had free tickets or go* them at a discount. Hls father made hlm a generous allowance and he tought a motor car in which he declared Dan had a half Interest; they needed lt, he sald, for their soda! adventures. At thè Thatcher house. Harwood caught fltful gUmpses of Alien’s father, a btrd of passage inured to sleeplng-cars. Occaslonally Harwood dlned wlth thè father and son and they would all adjoum to Allen's shop on thè thlrd floor to smoke and talk. When Alien gave rein to hls fancy and began descanting upon thè grandeur of thè Republlc and thè BeauZflu Experiment maklng in “these States,” Dan would Bee a blank puztled look steal lnto Thatcber's face. Thatcher had not been among Bassett’s caliere In thè new office In thè Boordman, but late one aftemoon, when Dan was deep In thè prlnclples of evidenoe, Thatcher carne In. “I’m not expectlng Mr. Bassett today, lf you wlsh to see hlm,” sald Dan. "Nope,” Thatcher replied lndìfferently. "I'm not looking for Mort. He’s In Fraservllle, I happen to know. Just talking to hlm on thè telephone, so I rather guessed you were alone; that’s why I carne up. I want to talk to you a little bit, Harwood. It must be nearly closlng lima so suppose you look thè door. Tou see,” he conZnued, idllng about thè rootn, "Mort’s In thè newspapers a good deal, and not belng any such terrlble slnner as he ls I don’t care to bave hls labels tacked on me too much. Not that Mort isn't one of my best friends, you know; but a family man like me has gotto be carefui of hls reputatlon.” Harwood opened hls drawer and *ook out a box of cigars. Thatcher accepted one and llghted lt deliberately, commenting on thè office as he dld so. He even strolled through thè library to thè open door of Bassett's private room beyond. The map of Indiana suspended above Bassett's desk interested hlm and he stood leaning on hls stick and surveytng lt. There was somethlng thè least bit lnsinuating In hls manner. The room. thè map, thè fact that Morton Bassett of Fraservllle had, so to speak, planted a vedette In thè heart of thè capitai, seemed to afford hlm mild, cynlcal amusement. He drew hls hand across hls face, twlsted his mustache, and took thè elgar from his mouth and examined thè end of it with flctitious Interest. “Well,” he ejaculated, "damn lt all, why not?” Harwood dld not know why not; but a man as rich as Edward Thatcher was entitled to hls vagarles. Thatcher sank lnto Bassett’s swlvel cfaair and swung around once or twlce as though testing lt, meanwhile eyeing thè map. Then he tlpped himself back comfortablv and dropped hls hat luto hls lap. HJs grayish-brown halr was combed carefully from one side acroa thè top in &n unsuccessfnl atterapt to conceal his baldness. "I guess Mort wouldn’t object to my sittìng in his chalr, prGvided I dldn’t look at that map too much. Who was thè chap that thè sword hung over by a halr—Damoelee? Well, tnaybe that’s what that map la •—lt wpuld smash pretty hard lf thè Orbale State Celi down an Mart Mot

Mort knows just how many voters there are In every townshlp and just how they line up election morning. There’s a lot of brains in Bassett's head; you’ve noticed it?” “It's admìtted, I believe, that he’s a man of abiliy,” said Dan a little coldly. Thatcher grlnned. “You’re all right, Harwood. I know you're all right or Mort wouldn’t liave put you In here. I'm rather kicking myself that I dldn’t see you flrst.” “Mr. Bassett has given me a chance I'd begun to fear I shouldn’t get; you see, I’m studying law here. Mr. Bassett has made that possible. He’s thè best friend I ever had.” ’That’s good. Bassett usually plcks winners. From what I hear of you and what I’ve seen I thing you’re all right myself. My boy has taken qulte a great fancy to you." Thatcher looked at thè end of hls elgar and walted for Dan to reply. “I've grown very fond of Alien. He’s very unsual; he’s full of surprlses." "That boy," said Thatcher, polnting hls elgar at Dan, “is thè greatest boy In thè world; but, damn it all. I don't make hlm out.” “Well, he’s differenti he’s an Idealist. I’m not sure that he Isn’t à philosopher!” Thatcher nodded, as though thls were & corroboratlon of his own surmlses. "He ls: by George, he ls! Damn lt, I took hlm to see a glassworks thè other day; thought it would appeal to hls sense of what you cali thè plcturesque; but. Lord bless me, he asked how much thè blowers were paid and wanted me to raise their pay on thè spot. That was one on me, all right: I'd thought of giving hlm thè Works to play wlth, but I didn't have thè nerve to offer it to hlm aster that. 'Frald he’d elther tum lt down or take lt and bust me.” Thatcher had referred to thls lncldent wlth unmistakable prlde; he was evldently amused rather than chagrined by his son’s scora of thè glft of a profltable industry.

"I suppose.” contlnued Thatcher dryly, “that if he’d heen an underdog thè way I was he’d be more tickled at a chance to slt on top. When I wore overalls lt wasn’t funny. Well, what am I golng to do wlth hlm?” "If you really want me to teli you I’d say to let hlm alone. He’s a perfectly clean, stralght, high-minded boy. If he were physlcally strong enough I should recommend him to go to college, late aa it is for hlm; or better, to a school where he would really satisfy what seema to be hls sincere ambitlon to learn to do somethlng wlth hls hands. But he’s all right as he ls. You ought to be glad that hls alms are so wholesome. There are sons of prosperous men right around here who see vverythlng rad.” "That boy,” declared Thatcher, prlde and love surglng In hlm, "ls as clean as wheatl” "Qulte o; no one could know hlm wlthout lovlng hlm. And I don’t mlnd saying that I flnd myself In accord with many of hia ideas.” “Sort of damned ldeallst yourself?" "I should blush to say lt,” laughed Dan; "but I feel my heart warming when Alien gets to soarlng sometlmes; he expresses himself with great vlvidneas. He goes aster me hard on my laissez-falre notlons,” "I take thè count and throw up thè sponge!” "Oh, that’s a cheatnut that means merely that thè underdog had better stay under if he can t flght hls way out.” "It seems tough when you boli it down to that; I maybe Allen’s right—we all ought to divide up. I’m wllling, only”—and he grlnned qulzzlcally—"l'm palred wlth Mort Bassett.” The Ught in hls rigar had gone out: he swung round and faced thè map of Indiana above Morton Bassettt’a desk, fumbling in-his waistcoat for a match. When he turned toward Harwood agaln he blew smoke rlngs medltatively before speaking. "If you’re one of these rotten ideal ists, Harwood, what are you doing here wlth Bassett? If that aln’t a fair question, don't answer lt.” Harwood was taken aback by thè dlrectness of thè question. Bassett had always spoken of Thatcher wlth respect, and he resented thè new direction given to thls conversaZon In Bassettt’s own office. Dan stralghtened himself wlth dlgnlty, but before he could speak Thatcher laughed. and fanned thè smoke of hls rigar away wlth hls hands. "I supose I’m thè only man In Indiana that aln’t afrald of Mort Bassett,” he announced casually. “It’s because Mort knows I aln’t afrald of hlm that we get on so well together. You’ve been wlth hlm long enough by thls time to know that we have some Interests together.” Dan, with hls fingerà interlocked behind hls head, nodded carelessly. He had grown lncreaslngly resentful of Thatcher’s tone and manner, and was anxlous to be rid of hlm. “Mort’s a good deal closer-mouthed than I am. Mort likes to Iride hls traeks—better than that, by George, Mort doesn’t make any traeks! Well, every man ls bound to break a twlg ; now and then as he goes along. By George, I tear down thè trees like an elephant so they can’t miss me!” As Dan made no reply to thls Thatcher recurred In a moment to Alien and Harwood’s annoyance passed. It was obvious that thè eapitalist had sought this lnterview to j talk of thè boy, to make sure that Harwood was sincerely interested in hlm. Thatcher’s manner of speaking of his son was klnd and affecZonate. The introduotlon of Bassett into thè discussion had been purely incldental, but it was not less interesting because of ita unpremeditated lnterjecZon. There was possibly some jealousy here that would manifest itself later: but that was not Dan's affair. If Thatcher meditated a break wlth Bassett. thè sturdler qualties, thè even, hard strokes that Bassett had a reputation for delivering, would count heavlly against hlm. “I*m glad you get on so well with thè boy,” Thatcher was saying. “I don’t mlnd telling you that his upbrlnging has been a little unforunate —too much Europe. But that boy’s all right j ol And see here—” Thatcher seemed ti \ moment emharrassed ha what was In. his mini.

DOINGS OF THE DUFFS—

/.Bocnr BEIN6 LATE AT THE <?v> L eT" ( CORMER FIAT ONTXE <• / (V ) W Al or FICE IN THE HORMIMC 30 s IL ! ~ , I (j ) SECOMO FLOOR - S(ME.~ /-. ( 1 i! ALARH ì I OOOGHT TMIS ALAR M CLOCK _ ’T *. ' 'i ~ I ( BOOV THREW A CLOCK Jh\ P V J . TOHELP W.M CCTUP- Jt M N K , \AT ME! AMD HOPRV si 1=

. INNOCENC& ftBROAD • y

THEM DAYS IS GONE FOREVER—

?D UXG TO FCOFCO- 6JHY MGR A)OU)- ' BOT SHG COCKS SO YOOi\)6 THEM PAYS I S , PO V-XIAÌ'X IT CA,\) Qè SMt'S UJtTM ER AAJC URO A) TMG StaGG - MOT CÒftiE! VÒtiLWMEML • ' hek so) — * *

B H = É ìI, .jsfe tTS SOME MORE. r , W SOME ONE PDT PEpPEfeON AD NT SARAH PEABODYS KITCHEAV STovE TODAY LiP THE MEfET/fiC OF THE OV)C REFORM SOCIETY. w \ :

He fìdgeted In his chalr and eyed Harwood sharply. “See here, Harwood, if you find af:er awhlle tbat you don't get on with Bussett, or you want to change, why, I want you to glve me a chance at you. I'd like to put my boy wìth you. somehow. Ili die some day and I want to be aure somebody ’ll look aster lilm, By God, be'a all I goti"

OUT OUR WAY—By WILLIAMS

THE OLD HOME TOWN—By STANLEY

He swung round, but hls eyes were upon thè floor; he drew out a handkerchlef and blew hls nose nolslly. “By George,’ he exclaimed, "I promised Alien to take you up to Sally Owen’s. You know Mrs. OwenV That’s right; Alien said she’s been asking about you. She likes young folks; she’ll never b® old berseli. Alien and I are golng there for

THE INDIANAPOLIS TIMES

Poiintl This On Your Pianola

supper, and he’s asked her lf he might. bring you along. Aunt Sally's a great woman. And” —he grinned ruefully—“a good trader. She has beat me on many a horse trade, that woman; and I always go back to try It agaln. You klnd o’ like having her do you. And I guess l’m thè originai easy mark when it cornea to horse. Get your hat and come along.

Both Struck

FRECKLES AlsT) HIS FRIENDS—By BLOSSER,

SGU DACE SW VOO "ì® 7 TVIÀTS AVI SfeUQ. ! I \ ALdTIAEQ 'WAMTS;SOiMA ( AD \I I L PO KTT VOU ) TUECE SA\ V 'WELL, WELL* VOU MEEwA f / (7^ PtoUCEMAM ) 1 BE APPAIO-PbUCEAAEM f S IWw ZTAume ) l M.ADU 6000 r > J\JST ÌM* < <ò A oLn-siDE { r umi r- 7 ( tpooslh. _ ? /mi'

DEAR- Mcrnw VOUR \ /yy... -siCOUUDiir K ■ BB ivi LIEED OF ALiVMEAT REMtkII>9 Mfc V v]AtWfi|4G POP DiKiMER -RjMOPROW / A CVUMQW \ -TH'OKItV DUCKS Q Si UIGV4T A'S l AVA GOU<3 IbMOPRO\>J UGV4T fc HB’S ©OT A Sv OKI A PDCK UUKtTUIQ WIVIU OWSSR A T?oS4 ARE Hlif 11) -TQIP VAIKfDVOd,X f MVEALQOA9T AkH> oUe3 iklTU* UnulT-^ WlLt QRIMG BACK V I %\CDOK IT MOC OviT^' VA PAlfc OF MALLAI>3 \ dikHUq ROO wWH ?**]?*& v roVautabls!*7 # /Mm ' ficee i

Allen’s flsed thls all up wlth her. I guess you and she are thè besr. friends thè boy’s got.” CHAPTER XII With Sylvia’a lite in college we have little to do, but a few notes we must make now that she has reached her sopbomore yeat>. She had :iever known girla untll she went to college and she had been thè sbyest of fresh-

OUR BOARDINO HOUSE—By AHERN

men, thè least obtruslve of sophomores. She had carri ed her work from thè start with remarkable ease and as thè dragons of failure were no longer a menace she began to give more heed to thè world about her. She was early reoognized as an eameet, conscienZous student whose work in certain directlons was brllllant; and as

DEO. 4, 1922

—By ALLMAN

—By AL POSEN

a sophomore her fellows began to know her and take pride In her. She was relieved to find herself swept naturally into thè social currenta of thè college. She had been afraid of appearing stili or priggish, but her self-consciousness quickly vanished in thè broad, wholesome democracy of college lise. (To Be Continwd)