Jasper County Democrat, Volume 10, Number 16, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 July 1907 — THE CONQUEST of CANAAN [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

THE CONQUEST of CANAAN

By BOOTH TARKINGTON.

Author or "Cherry,** "Monsieur Beeueaire." Etc. ] COPYRIGHT, 1003, BY HARPBK BROTHERS

SYNOPSIS OF PREVIOUS CHAPTERS. Chapter I— Eugene Bantry, a Canaan (Ind.,) young man, who hat been east to college, retdrna home and astounds the natives by the gorgeousness of his raiment. His stepbrother. Joe Loudin. is characterized by the aged male gossips who dally assemble at the National House for argument as the good for nothing associate of doubtful characters. 11— Eugene's appearance has a pronounced effect upon Mamie Bike, whose father- Judge Pike, is the wealthiest and most prominent citizen of Canaan. Joe worships Mamie from afar. Eugene interferes In a snow tight between Joe and his hoidenish and very poor girl friend, Ariel Taber, who is worsted. Ariel hotly resents the interference and slaps Eugene, who sends her home. Ill—Ariel, unbecomingly attired, attends Mamie Pike's ball. IV—Joe. concealed behind some plants on the Pike veranda, watches hungrily for a glimpse of Minnie. Ariel is ignored by most of the guests. Ariel discovers Joe, aut shortly afterward, learning that her uncle. Jonas Tabor. has died suddenly, leaves. The Daily Tocsin ol the next day tells of Joe’s discovery on the Pike veranda and of his pursuit and escape therefrom. It also refers to wounds in the hea l of himself and of Norbert Flitcroft, who detected him. Joe retires to the “Beach." a low resort kept by his friend. Mike Sheehan, who dresses his wound. VI Joe leaves Mike’s place., He visits Ariel Tabor, who. by the death of her Uncle Jonas, has become rich. She wishes Joe to accompany her and her grandfather to Paris. Joe refuses and leaves Canaan to avoid arrest for the trouble at Judge Pike's. Vll—Joe is heard from two years later as a ticket seller for a side show. Eugene Bantry also meets him seven years later in a low resort in New York, but wisely refrains from advertising it. VIII—Joe returns to Canaan a full-fledged lawyer. Even his father ignores kirn, and he Is refused accommodations at the National house. IX— Joe is welcomed at the “Beach," and “Happy Fear," one of Joe’s admirers, •eriously assualts Nashville Cory, a detractor. At the end of Happy's term in prison he visits Joe, who now has a law office on the square, with a living room adjoining. Joe has a large practice, principally among the lower classes, and Is frequently attacked by the Tocsin. Joe begins, in bis lonliness, to yield to the seductions ot the bottle, Bantry's engagment to Mamie Pike is announced. Bantry is now associate editor of the Tocsin, owned by Judge Pike X—Joe awakens after a “bad night” with the words, “Remember, across the Main street bridge at noon," ringing In his ears. He goesthere and is presently joined by the most beautifully dressed girl he has ever seen. Xl—She turns out to be Ariel Tabor, arrived in Canaan the night before from her long sojourn In Paris. She has seen Joe as she alighted from the train and, realizing his condition, had escorted him home after exacting from him a promise to meet her the next day (Sundav) across the Main street bridge at noon. Joe learns that Ariel is stopping at Judge Pike's home, the judge having entire charge of her money, etc. XII— Eugene Bantry, although engaged to Mamie, is much smitten with Ariel's charms. Judge Pike tries his usual blustering tactics with Ariel, but subsides When she tells him that she shall ask him to turn over the care of her estate to Joe Louden. Xlll—Ariel holds a sort of informal reception at Judge Pike'sand learns that the “tough element" is talking of running Joe for mayor. XlV—Happy Fear and Nashville Cory have more trouble. Joe corners Happy and sends Claudine (Mrs. Fear) to meet him. XV—Ariel visits Joe's office to put her affairs in his hands. While there Happy Fear rushes in and announces that he has killed Nashville Cory in self defense. Joe makes Happy give himself up. XVI— Mamie Pike admits to Ariel that she, too. has begun to believe in Joe Louden. XVII— The Tocsin makes virulent attacks on Joe Louden and Happy Fear. Mike Sheehan hints that he may shortly have some interesting secrets to divulge in connection with Judge Pike's affairs. XVIII—The Tocsin continues its attacks. Judge Pike informs Ariel that her supposed fortune consists of valueless securities. XlX—Aged Eskew Arp. one of the band of National House gossips anrFerstwhile traducers of Joe. rescues Joe's dog from a miserable death at the hands of the townspeople and then collapses. XX. Arp is carried in Judge Pike's carriage to Ariel’s house. With him are Ariel, Mamie Pike and Joe Louden. Arp compels several of his National House cronies who call to shake hands with Joe Louden. XX I—Eugene Bantry repents of his treatment of his stepbrother, Joe Louden, resigns from the Tocsin and leaves Canaan. Forbert Flitcroft tells how Judge Pike bought Granger Gas stocks with Ariel's money, but took that stock for himself, substituting for it worthless distillery securities. Eskew Arp dies. XXll—Arp's money is left to Joe. Joe Is selected at a political confab as a candidate for mayor. Mike Sheehan discloses that the immaculate Judge Pike owns tbe property known a« the "Beach," a resort conducted bv Mike. XXIII. By a magnificent display of courage Joe staves off personal violence at the close of the first dav of the trial of Happy Fear. XXIV-Ljpe beards lodge Pike in his den. shows him that he has discovered his rascalities and compels him to meet Ariel. CHAPTER XXV. MRS. FLITCROFT at breakfast on tbe following morning continued a disquisition which had ceased the previous night onl.v because of a provoking hitman incapacity to exist without sleep. The Tocsin had been her great comfort. “Yes, young-man," she said as she lifted her first spoonful of oatmeul. “you better read the Tocsin:" “I am reading It,” responded Norbert, who was almost concealed by the paper. “And your grandfather better read It,” she continued severely. “I already have,” said the eolpnel promptly. "Have you?” “No. but you can be sure I will.” "All Tight." said Norbert, suddenly banding her the paper. "Go ahead." • “Ila:" exclaimed Mrs. Fliteroft. “Here it is in headiine* on the first jxige. 'Defense Scores Again and Again. Ridiculous Behavior of a Would Be Molt. Louden's' " She paused, removed her spectacles, examined them dubiously, restored them to place and continued, " 'Louden's Masterly <'onduct rnnC Weft Deserved' -” She paused again, incredulous—" 'Well deserved Triumph’ ’h-r “Go on.” said the colonel softly. “Indeed I will," the old lady replied. "Look at the editorials," suggested Norbert. "There's one 011 the same subject.” “'The best of us make mistakes, and it is well to have a change of heart sometimes.’ ” Thus Eugene’s successor had written, and so Mrs. Fliteroft read. ** ‘An open confession is good for the soul. The Toe-sin has changed its mind in regard to certain matters and means to say so freely and frankly. After yesterday's events in connection with the murder trial before our public, the evidence being now all presented, for we understand that neither side has more to offer, it is generally conceded that all good citizens are hopeful of a verdict of acquittal,’ and the Tocsin is a good citizen. No good citizen would willingly see an in-

nocent man punished, and that our city Is not to be disgraced by such a miscarriage of justice is duetto the efforts of the attorney for the defendant, who has gained credit not only by his masterly managejnent of this case, but by his splendid conduct In the face of danger yesterday afternoon.\ He has distinguished himself so greatly that we frankly assert that our citizens may point with pride to’”— Mrs. Flitcroft's voice, at the beginning pitched to a high exultation, bad gradually lowered 111 key and dropped down the scale till It disappeared altogether. The Tocsin's right about face undermined others besides Mrs. Fliteroft that morning and rejoiced greater, though not better, men than the colonel. Mr. Farbm b and his lieutenants smiled, yet stared, amazed, wondering what had happened. That was a thing which only three people even certainly knew, yet it was very simple. The Tocsin was part of the judge's restitution. "The controlling interest hi the paper, together with the other property I have listed," Joe had said, studying bis memoranda under the lamp in Roger's old studio, while Martin I’ike listened with his head in his hands, “make up what Miss Tabor is willing to accept. As I estimate it, their total value is between a third and a half of that of the stock which belonged to her.” “But this boy—this Fliteroft,” said Pike feebly; “he might”— “He will do nothing,” interrupted Joe. “The-case is ‘settled out of court,’ and even if he were disposed to harass you he could liardly hope to succeed, since Miss Tabor declines either to sue or to prosecute.” The judge winced at the last word. "Yes-yes. I know, but he might—he might—tel 1. ” - - “1 think Miss Tabor’s influence will prevent. If it.should not—well, you’re not in a desperate case by any means. You’re involved, but far from stripped. In time you may be as sound as ever. And if Norbert tells there’s nothing for you to do but to live it down.” A faint smile played upon Joe's lips as he lifted his head and looked at the other. “It can be done, I think.” It was then that Ariel, complaining of of the evening, thought it possible that Joe might find her fan upon the porch and as he departed whispered hurriedly, “Judge Pike, I’m not technically in control of the Tocsin, but haven’t 1 the right to control its policy?” “I understand,” he muttered. “You mean about Louden—about this trial”— “That is why I.have taken the paper.” “Yon want all that changed, yt>u mean?” She nodded decisively. “From this instant, before morning.” "<ih. well, I’ll go down there and give the word.” lie rubbed his eyes wearily with big thumbs. “I’m through fighting. I’m done. Besides, what’s the use? There's nothing more to tight.” “Now, judge,” Joe said as he came in briskly, "we’ll go over the list of that unincumbered property, if you will.” This tin In cumbered property consisted of Beaver Beach and those other belonging of the judge which he bad not dared to mortgage. Joe had somehow explained their nature to Ariel, and these, with the Tocsin, she had elected (<> accept in restitution. "You told me once that I ought to look alter my own property, and now I will Don’t you see?” she cried to J<>.c eagerly. "It's my work!" She resolutely set aside every other proposition, and this was the quality of mercy which Martin I’ike found that night. There was a great crowd to hear Joe’s summing up at -the trial, and those who succeeded in getting into the courtroom declared that it was worth the struggle. He did not orate,

did he slyly flatter them. He did not overdo the confidential, nor seem so secure of understanding beforehand what their verdict wopld be that they felt an instinctive desire to fool him., lie. talked colloquially, btlt~~clearly, without appeal to the pathetic and without garnitures, not mentioning sunsets, birds, oceans, homes, the glorious old state or the happiness of liberty, but he made everybody ip tbe room quite sure that Happy Fear had fired the shot which killed Cory to save his own life. And that, as Mr. Bradbury remarked to the colonel, was “what Joe was there for!”< Ariel's escort was Increased to four that day. Mr. Ladew sat beside her, and there were times when Joe kept his mind entirely to the work in hand only by an effort, but he always succeeded. The sight of the pale and worshiping face of Happy Fear from the corner of his eye was enough to insure that. And people who could not get near the doors, asking those who eoalu, "What's he doin' now?” were ai.swerej by variations of the one i .i.uln, “Ob, jest walkin’ away with • .. • rh 1 v )ii it room was disturbed a:;ti: set In Jiji uproar which even the judge's oust unary threat failed to subdue. Jo; b d been talking very rapidly and hiving turned the point he was making with perfect dexterity, the jury listening eagerly, stopped for a moment to take a swallow of water. A voice rose over the low hum of the crowd in a delirious chuckle, "Why don't somebody ’head him off ?’ ” Tbe room instantly rocked with laughter, under cover of which the identity of the sacrilegious chuckler was not discovered, but the voice was the voice of Buckalew, who was incredibly surprised to find that he had spoken aloud. The jury were "out,” after the case had been given to then)! seventeen minutes and thirty seconds by the watch Claudine held in her band. The little man, whose fate was now on the knees of the godC looked pathetically at the foreman and then at the face of his lawyer and began to shake violently, but not with fright. He had gone to the jail on Joe’s word, as a good dog goes where his master blds, trustfully, and yet Happy had not been able to keep his mi*l from considering the horrible chances. "Don’t worry/’ Joe had. said. "It’s all right. I’ll see you through.” And lie had kept his word. The little than was cleared. It took Happy a long time to get through what he had to say to his attorney 1 n flie anteroom, and even then, of course, he did not manage to put it in words, for be had "broken down” with sheer gratitude. “Why, d—n me, Joe,” he sobbed, “if ever I—if ever you —well, by God, if you ever”— This was the substance of his lingual accomplishment under the circumstances. Bnt Claudine threw her arms around poor Joe’s neck and kissed him. Many people were waiting,to shake hands with Joe and congratulate him. The trio, taking advantage of seats near the rail, had already done that (somewhat uproariously) before be had followed Happy, and so had Ariel and Ladew, both, necessarily, rather hurriedly. But in the corridors he found, when he came out of the anteroom, clients, acquaintances, friends old friends, new friends and friends he had never seen before—everybody beaming upon him and wringing his hand, as if they bed been sure of it all from the start. They gathered round him if he stopped for an instant and crowded after him admiringly when he went on again, making his progress slow. When he flpally came out of the big doors into the sunshine, there were as many people in the yard as there had been when he stood in the same place and watched the mob rushing his client’s guards. But today their temper was different, and as he paused a moment, looking down on the upturned, laughing faces, wjth a hundred jocular and congratulatory salutations shouted up at him, somebody started a cheer, and it was taken up with thunderous good Will.

There followed the interrogation customary in such emergencies, and the anxious inquirer was informed by four or five hundred people simultaneously that Joe Louden was all right. "Head him off”’ bellowed Mike Sheehan, suddenly darting up the steps. The shout increased, and with good reason, for he stepped quickly back within the doors and, retreating through tlfe building, made good his escape by a basement door. He struck off into a long detour; but, though he managed to evade the crowd, he bad to stop and shake hands with every third person he met. As he came out upon Main street again tie encountered his father. “Howdy do. Joe?” said this laconic person and offered his hand. They shook briefly, “Well,” he continued, rubbing bls beard, “how are ye?” “All right, father, I think.” “Satisfied xvitli the verdict?” “I'd be pretty hard to please If I weren’t,” Joe laughed. Mr. Louden rubbed bls beard again. “I was there,” he said, without emotion. “At the trial, you mean?” “Yes.” He offered his hand once more, and again they shook. “Well, come around and see us,” he said. "Thank you. I will.” “Well,” said Mr. Louden, “good day, Joe.” z "Good day, father.” The young man stood looking after him with a curious smile. Then he gave a slight start. Far up the street he saw two figures—one a lady’s in white, with a wide white hat; the other a man’s, wearing recognizably clerical black. They seemed to be walking very slowly. It had been a day of triumph for joe, but in all his life he never s*lept worse than he did that night [concluded next week.]

“I understand," he muttered. "You mean about Louden"— he did not "thunder at the jury," nor