Jasper County Democrat, Volume 13, Number 75, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 31 December 1910 — Page 6

THE FORTUNE HUNTER

Novelized by LOUIS JOSEPH VANCE From the Play of the Same Name by WINCHELL SMITH

£} CHAPTER XIL DUNCAN went borne for bis midday meal. It wasn’t much of a walk from Sam Graham’s store to Miss Carpenter’s, and he didn’t mind in tbe least tWs particular day he was sincerely hungry. but he bad much to think about besldeSj and between tbe two he Just bolted bis food and made off hotfoot for the store. *v Naturally, knowing nothing Sam’s note, although he knew Pete Willing by sight as the sheriff and town drunkard in one. It didn't worry him at all to discover that gentleman tacking toward the store as he hurried tip Beech street, eager to get back to his Job The first intimation that be had of anything seriously amiss was when he entered, following Pete. Pete Willing, sheriff and born drunkard, is the best nnfured man in the world, as a general rule. Drunk or sober, Radville tolerates him for just that quality. On only two occasions is he irritable and unmanageable—when his wife gets after him about the drink and when he has a duty to perform in his official capacity. Tall, gaunt, gangling and loose Jointed, Duncan, returning to the store from lunch, found Pete standing in the middle of the floor, hands in pockets and a noisome stogy thrust into a corner of his mouth. “I’m sorry about this. Sam,* he bellowed, “but there ain’t no use wastin' words ’bout it. I’m here on business." “But what’s the matter, sheriff?’ Graham asked, his voice breaking. “Ah, you know you got a note due at tbe bank, don’t you?” "Yes, but”"Well, it’s protested. Y' understand that, don’t you? I’m here to serve the papers on to you.’ “But—but there must be some mistake." Sam clutched blindly for his hat “I’ll step over and see Mr. Lockwood. He’s always been kind, very kind." “Naw!” Pete bawled. “Mr. Lockwood don’t want to see you unless you can settle. Y’ can save yourself the trouble. Y* gottub put up or git out I got orders from him soon's I got Judgment to close y’ up. And that goes, see!" “To—to torn me out of the store, Pete?" Graham’s world had slipped from beneath his feet. He was over-

“YOU GOT A NOTE DUE AT THE BANK.”

whelmed And it was with a child’s look of pitiful dismay and perplexity that he faced the sheriff The father who has fallen short of his child's trust aud confidence knows that look To Duncan its appegKwas irresistible. De had his hand in nis pocket, clutching the still considerable remains of what Kellogg had termed his grubstake, before he knew it. “But—there must be some mistake,” Graham repeated pleadingly. “It ean’t be. Mr. Lockwood surely wouldn't”— “Now. there ain't no use whinin’ about it!” Willing roared him into silence. “Law is law, and*’— Deceased quickly, surprised to find Duncan standing between him and his prey. “What”— he began. “Wait.”’ Duncan touched him gently on the chest with a forefinger, at the same time catching and holding' the sheriff’s eye. “Are you.” he in quired quietly, “laboring under the impression that Mr. Graham is deaf?” “What!” Duncan turned to Sam apologetically. “He said ‘what.’ Did you hear it air?” ' but by this time Pete was recovering to some degree. “What’ve you got to say about this?” be demanded crescendo. ~, ■ “I’ll show you." Duncan told him In the same quiet voice, “what I’ve

to say If you’ll just put the soft pedal on ahd tell me the amount of that note." “With interest and costs.” he said less stridently, "it Aggers op three hundred 'n' eighty dollars ’n’ eightytwo cents" There's no nse denying that Duncan was staggered For the moment his poise deserted him utterly. Fie could only repeat ns one who dreams. “Three hundred an<f eighty dollars!" His momentary consternation afford ed Pete the nfiening he needed. The room sb«*efc with bis regained sense of prestige “Yes. three hundred n' eighty dollars 'h'- Say. you l«*-k a here!" Again the calm for-fln -<-r tin-shed him and like a hypnotist’s pass checked the rolling volume of noise. “Listen.” lieggeil Duncan “If you’ve got anything else to tell me please retire to the opposite side of the street and whisper it Meantime be quiet.” Duncan turned and made for the soda counter, beneath which was the till Ilis scanty roll of hills was in his right band nod there concealed. He -r?~- •* :« . . * . vt f »- | st-pped behind tue counter told Sam watching him with an amazement no less absolute than Pete'si. pulled out the till, bent over ft with an assured air «nd poshed back the coin slide. Then quite naturally he produced with hl3 right band his four bundreci and

PETE TURNED BACK THE LAPEL OF HIS COAT.

odd dollars from the bill drawer, stood up and counted them with great deliberation— “ One. two. three, four.” He Bmlled wiuningly at Pete. “Four hundred dollars. Mr. Sheriff. Now will you be good enough to band over that note and the change and then put yourself and that pickle you're wearing in your face on the other side of the door?” “I ain’t got the note with me. Mr. Duncan” "Then perhaps you won’t mind going to the bank.for It?” Half suffocated. Pete assented. "Aw’ right I’ll go and git It. Kin 1 have the money?” “Certainly.” Duncan extended the bills, then on second thought withheld them “I presume you’re a regular sheriff?” he inquired Very proudly* Pete turned back the lapel of his coaf and distended the chest on frhjylj S?)£P P nickel plated bad"? of office Puncfln it with grave admiration. » y* he said, wit&'fi sigh. ‘ nere.” fjingerlv Pete mtsned the th unified them oVef lb ln.il e wefe mil and bolted as for his life, his coattails level on the l»reji*ze. There floated back to Duncan and old Sam his valedictory. “Waal, I’ll l>e dodgasted!” With ft short, quiel laugh Duncan tnude as though to go out to the back yard, where, the new stuck was being delivered. “I’m going.” he said hurriedly, “to find me a hatchet and knock the stuffing out of some of those packing cases Waht to get all that truck Indoors before nightfall, you know.” But old Sam wasn't to be put off by any such obvious subterfuge as that He put himself in front of Duncan. “Nat my boy.” he said, tremulous, “I can’t let this go through. 1 can't '•..allow yon”— ; ... —— • . ' :- •' “There, now.” Duncan told him unconcernedly. yet kindly, “don't say anything more. It’s over and done with” “But you mustn’t 111 turn over the store to you if”— “O Lord!” Duncan's dismay was as genuiiie'as his desire to escape Graham’s gratitude “No—don’t! Please don’t do that."* . .• “But 1 must do something, my boy I can't accept no great a kindness unless,” said Graham, with a timid flash of hope, “you’ll consider a partnership”—^ “That’s it!” cried Duncan, glad of any way cm of the situation. “That’s the way to do it—a partnership. No; please don’t say any more about It just now. W? can settle details later. We’ve got to get busy. Tell you what 1 wish you'd do while I’m bursting open those boxes. If you don’t mind going down to the station to make sure that every t king's”— i “Yes. I’ll go; I’ll go at once” Sam groped for Duncan's hand, caught aud

held it between both his own. “Is—ls fate or something hadn’t brought yon here today I don’t know what would have happened to Ftetty and me." “Never mind.” Duncan tried to soot he him. “Just don’t yon think about It.” Graham shook his head, still bewildered. “Perhaps.” be stumbled on. “to a gentleman of your wealth S4OO Isn't milch” “No.” said Duncan gravely without the flicker of an eyplash. “nothing.” He remembered well the few dollars that new represented all bis worldly goods Then he smiled cheerfully. "There, that’s all right" “To me it's meant everything. I —i only hope PH be a hie to repay you some day. God bless you, my boy! God bless you."’ He managed to Jam bis hat awry on bis white old bead and find his way out. bis bauds fumbling with one another. bis lips moving lnandibly. perhaps In a prayer of thanksgiving. -It was perhaps within tbe next thirty minutes that Betty (who had been left In charge of (he store wbilg Duncan. with coat and collar off and sleeves roiled above his elbows, hacked and pounded and pried and bange<| at the fracking cases in the back yard) sought him on tbe scene of his labors. “Pretty good work for a York dude — not?" ke laughed, There was a shadowy smile in her grave eyes “It’s an Improvement.*’ she said evenly ne shot her a cartons glance. “Ouch!" he said thoughtfully. “1 just came to tell you,” she went on. again immobile, “you're wanted in- . side". , “SometKKly wants to see me?" be demanded of her retreating back. “Yes." “But who”— “Blinky Lockwood.” she replied over her shoulder as she went into tbe bouse -Lockwood?” He speculated, for an instant puzzled, then suddenly '‘Fa-ther-in-law!’' tie <-n -d "Shivering snakes, he mustn't catch me like this— I. a business man!” Hastily rolling down his shirt sleeves and shruggirfg himself into bis coat, he made for the store, buttoning bis collar and knotting bis tie on the way . , He found Blinky nosing round the room, quite alone. Betty had peared. and tbe old scoundrel was having (piite an enjoyable time poking in to matters that did not concerj him and disapproving of them on general principles So far as ffce improvements concerned old Sam Graham's fortunes. Blinky would concede* no health in them But with regard to Duncan there was another story to tell. Duncan apparently controlled money to some vague extent. “You’re Mr. Duncan, ain’t you?” be asked, with his leer, moving down to meet Nat. ■ “Yes. sir. Mr, Lockwood. 1 believe?” “That’s me.” Blinky clutched his hand in a genial claw “I’m glad to meet you ” “Thank you.” said Duncan. •‘Something I can do for you. sir?” “Waal. Pete Wiltin' was tellin' me you'd Just took np this note of Graham’s?’ “Not exaAly, The firm took it up.” Blinky winked savagely at this. “The firm—what firm?” “Graham A Duncan, sir. I’ve been taken into partnership.” * “Have, eh?” Blinky grunted mysteriously and Ashed in his pocket for some bills and silver “Waal, here’s some change cornin' to the Arm. then And here.” he added, producing the document in question, “is Sam’s note.” “Thank yon.” Duncan ceremonious Iy deposited both in the till, going hind the rod a fountain to do so, and then waited, expectant Blinky was grunting busily in the key of one about to make an important communication “I’m glad yon’ye a-comln’ In here —***» c...~ - » • » T-Vr rp“i jrzJ-y” acid grimace that was meaLt tb bd a “Oil. it may be only temporary.” Nat to assume a seraphic expression and partially succeeded. “I’m devoting much of my time to

“YOU'RE MR. DUNCAN?" HE ASKED.

my studies.” he pursued primly, “but nevertheless feel I should be earning something too ” - 1 “That’s right—that's the kind of spirit I like to see in a young man. Ton always go to church, don’t yon ?’ “No, air—Sundays only:*

7 ■ “That’s what I mean D* yon drink?' "Oh. no. sir.” Duncan parroted glil> ly, “don't smoke, drink, swear, and on Sundays I go to church.” The bland smile with which be faced Lockwood's keen scrutiny disarmed suspicion > ~7.7 “I'm glad to bear that” Blinky told him “I'm at tbe bead of the temp’ ranee movement here, and I hope you’ll join us and set an example to onr fast young men ” “1 feel sure I could do that.” said Duncan meekly Lockwood removed his hat. exposing the cranium of a baldheaded eagle, and fanned himself “Warm today.” 1 he observed In an endeavor to be genial that ail but sprained his temperamenL Indeed, so great was the strain that he winked violently. 7 Duncan observed this phenomenon with natural astonishment not uumixed with awe. “Yes. sir; very,” he agreed, wondering .what it might portehd “I believe I’ll have a glass of sody.” “Certainly.” Lhjncan. by now habituated to the formufa of soda dispensing, promptly produced a bright and shining glass. “I see you’ve been Axin' this place lip some.” 7 “Oh, yes,” said Sat loftily. “We expect to have the best drug store in ths state. What sirup would you prefer?” “Just sody,” stipulated Lockwood. His spasmodic wink again smote Duncan’s understanding a mighty blow. Unable to believe his eves, he ! I hedged -and stammered Could it be? This from the leader of the temperance movement in Badville? “I beg pardon?" His denseness irritated Blinky slightly, with the result that the right side , of his face again underwent an alarm- ! ing convulsionT “I say.” he explained carefully, “just—plain—sody " “On the level?' “What?” grunted Blinky. and blinked again. j A smile of com prehension irradiated Nat’s features “Pardon." he said. “I’m a little new to the business.” Blinky. fanning himself industriously. gland round the store while Duncan. turning his back, discreetly found and uncorked the whisky bottle He poured out a liberal dose of raw red liquor. Then, with his Angers clamped tightly about the bottom of the glass.

“I SAY. JUST—PLAIN—SODY.”

the better to conceal its contents from any casual but inquisitive passerby, be quickly filled it with soda and placed it before Blinky. accompanying the action with the sweetest of childlike smiles. I.ock wood, nodding his acknowledgments. lifted the glass to his lips. Duncan awaited developments with some apprehension. To his relief, however. Blinky. after an experimental swallow. emptied the mixture expeditiously into his system and smacked his thin lips resonndinglr. “How.” be demanded, “can any one want intoxicatiu’ flkkers wheg" they can gel such a bracin’ drink~as that?*’ “I pass.” Nat breathed, limp with admiration of such astounding hypo^ banky reluctantly pried a nickel loose from his finances and placed it ©n thi counter. Ixincan regarded it with disdain. “Ten cents more, please.” he suggested tactfully. “What for?” “Plain sody.” The explanation was accompanied by a very passable imitation of Blinky’s blink. (To Be Continued.)

DEAFNESS CANNOT BE CURED

by local applications, as they cannot reach the diseased portion of the ear. There is only one way to cure deafness, and that is by constitutional remedies. Deafness is caused by an inflamed condition of the mucous lining of the Eustachian Tube. ' When this tube is inflamed you have a rumbling sound or imperfect hearing, and when it is entirely closed, Deafness is the result, and unless the infiamation can be taken out and this tube restored to its normal cqndition, the hearing will be destroyed forever; nine cases out of ten are caused by Catarrh, .which is nothing but an inflamed condition of the mqcons surfaces. We will give Ohe Hundred Dollars for any case of Deafness (caused by Catarrh) that /cannot be cured by Hall’s Catarrh Cure. Send for cirptil o r«s frPP F. J* CHENEY & CO., Toledo, O. Sold by Druggists, 75c. Take Hall’s Family Pills for constipation. •

Office stationery makes an acceptable Qhristmas present —if it is printed in an . up-|to-date manner —and that’s the only wav The 'Democrat prints it.

The dates for the Rensselaer poultry and ccum show are January, 3,4, 5,6, 7. The show will be held ib the Armory. '

OLD TESTAMENT TIMES BROOKLYN TABERNACLE BIBLE-STUDIES

THE YOUNG MAN'S ERROR WHICH LOBT HIM A KINGDOM

I Kings 12:6-16—January 1 “He that tcalketk Kith seise men shall be Kite; a companion of foot* shall be destroyed."— (Pros. 13:20.) “Wherewithal shall a young man eleanxt his tcayf By taking heed thereto according to thy KOrd."— Psalm U 9.-9. CHE opening of the New Year with all the possibilities thereof for good or for evil strongly resembles the opening of life’s maturity to a young man or a young woman. To the thoughtful and experienced there Is something very pathetic in the life start of bright boys and girls. Their hopes and anticipations run so high, their ideals are so grand, they have so many air castles. Esperi- , ence shows that. alas, the great majority of these result disastrously and usually from unwisdom. How often would loving counsels from their seniors assist them and save them from wrecks and calamities! We may well thank God that in his Providence the mistakes of youth, while serious, do not necessarily spell eternal disaster. .7- ■■ Kihg Rehcboam's Unwisdom When the great king, Solomon, died he left the kingdom to his son Rehoboam —a kingdom extending from the wilderness

on the South to the Euphrates on the North, in all nearly as large as -England and Wales. It Was God’s Kingdom; as we read. “Solomon sat upon the throne of the Kingdom of the Lord." Rehoboam was about twenty-one years of age when he came to the throne at the death of .his father Solomon, King Solomon. a It ho ugh reverent toward God, was evidently much less zealous, much less religious than his father David. His heathen wives, the riches of the kingdom' and his political intercourse with the surrounding nations made him what

might be termed a bright-minded man rather than a religious one. This was reflected upon his sou and successor and also upon the people he governed. The Crisis and the Error Besides this. Solomon's great enterprises, palatial buildings, etc., brought the revenue and glory to his capital, city, Jerusalem. and did not evenly distribute It throughout the nation. Indeed, following the custom of other kings, wealth was gathered largely from the enforced labor of his subjects, who were coibpelled to labor at his capital for the common weal without pay. They were drafted and put under task-masters. In Solomon’s day this was borne, though sometimes resentfully. but when his son came to the throne the northern tribes determined that, they would not acknowledge him as king unless he gave them what might be termed a bill of rights—a Magna Charta. They sent to Egypt for one of their leaders, whom Solomon had exiled for his outspoken criticisms. Through him the ten tribes had a general conference of tribe leaders and informed Rehoboam that they were not satisfied with the way they had been treated by King Solomon. Rehoboam and all realized that a crisis In the affairs of the kingdom had come. The matter was too weighty to be decided hastily. He called for the secretaries of the kingdom, his father’s counsellors, elderly men, to know their advice. Their recommendations were good. They recommended that he be a servant of the people; that instead of accumulating wealth at the capital and being-personally great, he should serve the entire nation, looking out for all of Its interests and forwarding the same—exactly what the ten tribes desired. The Grievous Decision Next, Rehoboam called the young men, his friends and acquaintances, his schoolmates, whom he was disposed more and more to bring into power with himself. Their advice was that the one way for a monarch to be successful is to intimidate his subjects and rule them with a heavy

Afflicting with scorpions under Rehoboam.

the greater part of the kingdom. The ten tribes revolted! and the adjacent kingdom, which had been under Solomon’s sovereignty also, deflected, and left the king but a small minority of his empire, although it was the richest, most influential portion.

The Point of This Study : There is a lesson in this study for all, namely, the importance of wisdom in our decisions, especially at the start of life and at" various partings of the ways, as we come to them in life’s journey. To all there is a lesson 'worth learning in the matter of pride and ambition, threats and attempted coercions and the unwisdom of such courses, as well as their injustice. Wealth, power, influence, gained through oppression and injustice, are unworthy of noble minds, and this principle can be applied on the smaller scale as well as on the larger. In homes the principle operates between parents and children, between husbands and wives. Alas! too often in the .home control is held by force rather than by love and esteem and the appreciation of justice and the genera) welfare. Another lesson is that in every enterprise of life we should seek counsel. In this connection let us remember the words of the Apostle that we seek the wisdom that cometh’ from above, 1 that is “flrslt pure, then peaceable, easy of entreatment and full of mercy and good fruits.”

Rehoboam Conferring With Solomon's Secretaries.

hand. The young king Jmd not been 'Ttehtb the principles oi justice in human affairs. Wise as his father was, he had neglected to prepare Tils son” for a proper decision in the crisis upon him. The king followed the advice of the young men and, in figurative language, said, “You claim that my father made your load heavy, and you ask me to make it light. Instead, I will add to your load; my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with whip with metal pricks at the ends , of the thongs.” The unwise decision lost the king

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