Bhe IHOJW HOUSE
NOVELIZED BY
EDWIN C. HILL
FROM WILLIAM FOX’S GREAT PICTURE ROMANCE
OF THE EAST AND THE WEST
BY CHARLES KENYON AND JOHN RUSSELL
•- i
Until recently Brandon himself
had almost invariably been one
of the interested, gossiping
throng that greeted the fussy
little train and stared with
rounded eyes at the strangers
from the East, homeseekers man}
of them, with occasional commer
cial travelers, “drummers,”
bringing the new-fangled manu
factured wares of the Atlantic
seaboard and the older, settled
States of the South or the Ohio
Valley. Of late he had given up
the habit of going to the station.
His presence was sure to provoke
the old argument. Talk always
got around, somehow, to “Bran
don’s crazy idees” about running
t railreid clear across the In
dian country to join the Missouri
River with the Pacific Ocean. He
didn’t mind arguing. Argument
cleared the brain, helped a man
to forge his ideas. It was the
ridicule, the jeering, he flinched
fromj the “being made a fool
of.” The strain of Irish in him
resented it. There had been a
fight or two in which Brandon
soundly thrashed two or three of
the “smart Alecs,” but fights
didn’t help.
If I thought 1 could make
’em see what’s cornin’ by fight
• tin’ ’em, I’d lick the whole
town,” he said. ‘‘But that’s no
way. A man’s wastin’ his time
trvin ’ to hammer ideas into thick
beads. Here’s this little railroad
right under their noses, their own
railroad, that’s making the town
bigger and richer every year; a
road runnin’ and makin’ money
where folks said only a few years
ago rails never could be laid
down—and they can’t see that
these rails have got to go on and
on, west and farther west, until
\hey reach the Pacific! I can’t
rtand much more of it. If I don’t
get out of this place I’ll go crazy
for sure.”
Ihown the street a man appear
ed upon the veranda of a com
fort.i|)le, neatly-painted two story
coP-age, and glanced across the
vvi£e yard. Ho was short, as mea
sured in a community of tall
me S; square- shouldered, stock
tly, solidly put together. One
look at him was quite enough to
shew that he was somebody—a
person of importance., of sub
stance. His clothes were ‘‘East
ern cut,” garments beyond the
gefWus of frontier tailors. A beav
er hat, black, wide-brimmed,
crefiised in the middle of the
crown, topped his large, square,
graying head. His coat was black,
double-breasted, short-skirted
with wide lapels. Over a waist
coat of dark blue velvet swung a
massive watch chain of gold nug
gets. His trousers, enormously
wide, were broad-striped in mo
dest gray. This consequential cit
izen glimpsed Brandon at the
door of the new shack, put his
hands in his coat pockets and
came down the steps of the ver
anda, approaching with a short,
firm stride.
.Brandon saw him and grinned.
“There’s Tom Marsh all ready
to give me Hail Columbia, Happy
Land for being a fog-brained
fool,” he thought. Well, it seems
to do Tom. good and it don’t
really hurt me, so I s’pose I
oughtn’t kick. But of all the men
in Springfield, Marsh ought to be
the first to realize that I’m right.
He’s used to goin’ East and meet
in’ big men. He knows there’s al
ready been talk of the road in
New York and Washington. He’s
the biggest contractor in Illinois,
and ha still thinks it’s a crazy
dream.”
Thomas Marsh, already one of
Springfield’s most important
citizens, proud of his success as a
selfmade man, but, with all of his
falrmindedness and good nature,
intolerant of ideas and men that
offended his direct, practical
habits of mind, crossed the lawn.
The smile with which he greeted
his “shiftless “neighbor reflect
ed something of liking,, some
thing of pity, a trace of disap
proval.
“Howdy, Dave,” he said.
“Isn’t it about time our little
folks were homo from school?”
“Why, yes, Tom,” said Bran
don, in his pleasant drawl, “I’ve
been kind of waitin’ for ’em hero
in the doorway—kind of waitin’
to see their bright little faces
flash around the corner there, by
the old elm. Always does me
good, ’specially when I’m low in
mind. But they’re all right. Don’t
worry a mite. Davy’s as good as
a grown man.”
“No, I’m not worrying,” said
Marsh. “I’d trust Miriam almost
anywhere with Davy. For a boy
of 10 he’s got a lot ot sense,
Brandon.”
He glanced keenly into the
face of Davy’* father. Brandon
smiled.
Guess you er wonderin where
he got all his sense, ain’t you,
Tom? Well, maybe he got it from
his mother—most of it, anyway.”
Marsh’s expreession softened,
In his life and Brandon’s was a
coincidence of sadness which*
more than anything else, recon
ciled the well-to-do contractor
with the ways of the moneyless,
unlucky civil engineer. His wife
and Brandon’s got through with
life in the same year, dying with,
in a few weeks of each other.
The death of Mrs. Marsh had left
to Marsh’s care Miriam, a little
girl of two, while Mrs. Brandon ’g
death had left Davy motherless
at the age of four. The circum
stances made it natural for the
children to become playmates,
constant companions, unhappy
without each other. Davy Bran
don, although a normal young
oy animal, fond of romping and
rollicking with other boys, felt
from the first that he was little
Miriam’s protector, her big
brother. He felt vast pride in the
trust reposed in him by Miriam’s
father. Davy was a good boy.
Marsh knew there was good
blood in the Brandons, the strain
of an old and cultured family of
Virginia, Cavalier stock. He
frowned as he looked down the
street toward the river, from
which direction the children
should soon appear. Why was
it Brandon could not get on in
the world? That boy ought to
have a chance. His face hard
ened again. Brandon noted it,
bracing himself against a new
attack.
J‘Dave,” said Marsh, “I’ve
talked to you before and it’s been
just like arguing with the side of
a house. I’ll try once more.
Your’re a square man. You’re
decent. You pay your debts.
You’re smart. Pretty much
sverybody like you. To put it
straight, they think you’re a
damned fool. They believe
you’ve let your mind go to seed
over a foolish dream. Give up
this dreaming over a transconti
nental railroad. Wipe it out of
your mind, clear out of your
head. Quit wasting your time
writing to big men back East,
who only think you’re mad and
throw your letters in waste
baskets. There’s nothing to it,
Dave. You’re still young. You’re
only thirty-five or so. Plenty of
time to make money for your old
age, enough to live well and to
educate the boy. Get back to sur
veying. If that don’t go well, I’ll
help you. You know that I’ve got
some pretty good connections
What about it?”
(TO BH CONTINUED)
Crime and the Press.
From the Kalamazoo Gazette.
The church federation at Chicago
has reopened an old question, or,
perhaps given emphasis to a question
which is open at all times and In all
cities where newspapers exist. It is
conducting a movement to discour
age the publication of crime news.
The theory, presumably, Is that giv
ing publicity to lawless deeds tends
to break down public confidence in
the goodness of mankind and to en
courago criminal activities.
The argument is an old one, but
does not seem to apply to the pres
ent situation. If the newspapers of
today treated their accounts of crime
in such a fashion as to glorify it, the
church federation's point would bo
well taken. But they do not. Their
function, in disseminating news of
crime, is the same as in the case of
political news or in chronicling tlu
developments of science and inven
tion. They tell the public what in
happening in the world, allowing
their readers to draw what morals
they will.
In the case of crime news espe
cially, there Is invariably but ons
moral to draw. It is the illustration
of that ancient platitude that "mur
der will out.” We cannot overcoms
villainy by Ignoring Us existence.
Nor can we hope to suppress lawless
ness by hiding our heads, ostrich
like, in the sands of optimism.
Puzzling, Too.
The Boy—Papa, why did you marry
mama?
'1 he Father—Hello, my boy, Is it be
[ glaring to puzzle you also?
f Pungent Paragraphs |
Wi have legal equality of the sexes,
and all that, but we notice still that a
woman who Is a good bridge player
merely Inspires admiration, while a
woman who Is a good poker player
Inspires awe.—Kansas City Star.
Henry Ford having achieved quan
tity production of cars should now
try his hand on quantity production
of parking space.—Greenville Pied
mont.
Without going Into the merits of
the case one would naturally suppose
a girl In her teens who would mur
der her mother must be Insane.—Hay
City Tlmes-Tributie.
Pedestrians have the right In Loa
Angeles to stop traffic by raising a
hand. But—so the poker players tell
us, raising a hand does not always
avert disaster.—Saginaw News-Cour
ier.
Some folks have no sense of humor,
and others have a sense of bad humor.
Newark Ledger.
People who live In spring suits
should not open milk bottles with
their thumbs.—Harrisburg Patriot.
Perhaps tho reason some persons
deny having any liquor Is because
they are ashamed to admit that the
stuff they had was rotten.—Oklahoma
City Dally, Oklahoman.
A French premier Is of few days
and great are the troubles thereof.—
Des Moines Tribune-News.
The Norse Centennial.
From the Minneapolis Journal.
The government of Norway has
shown lively appreciation of the im
portance and significance of the
American Norse Centennial celebra
tion in the Twin Cities June 6-9, by
designating as delegates its two lead
ing men—the premier and the presi
dent of its parliament.
The premier is J. L. Mowlnckel of
Trondhjem and the Storthlngs
presldent Is Ivan Lykker of Bergen.
Appropriately enough the one Is a
member of the Left or radical par
ties, while the other is from the Right
or conservative parties.
There is also a fair chance that
the Storthing will authorize Crown
Prince Olaf, who has recently attain
ed his majority, to visit America and
be the guest of Minnesota at the
Norse Centennial. The only obstacle
is said to be economy, an Issue as
paramount in Norway as in the
United States. The crcwn prince i«
described as a charming young man,
democratic In his ways and tastes, a
patron and participant in outdoor
sports, and very popular with the
Norwegian poople.
The signal recognition of the
Norse Centennial by Norway Bhows
that the ancient kingdom, however
much it may miss at home the many
eons and daughters it has given to
America, appreciates the historical
significance of the centenary. Nor
way in fact has had all through the
lenturles an intensive Influence over
ihe outer world out of all proportion
to its size and population. In the old
Viking days this influence was mar
tially exerted, and its stirring story
is written into the History of Eng
land, Ireland, France and other coun
tries of Europe. The Norwegian in
vasion of the United States, begun a
century ago, has on tha other hand
been peaceful, but none the less has
it proved a vital Influence In Amer
ican development.
South Maligned.
| ()xtract From Address at New Or
leans by James A. Emery of New
York.
No well Informed American can be
blind to extraordinary difficulties
met and overcome by southern busi
ness transforming an agricultural
section Into an Industrial region. Tho
devastation of war, the ensuing per
iod of demoralizing mis-government,
the lack of trained industrial opera
tives, the absence of capital, all
these were handicaps which might
have fatally discouraged a less de
termined people. Today the . Indus
trial South holds Its own In com
parison with any section of the coun
try in the quality of Its products, the
character of its management or In
the living standards of Its operatives.
It may challenge any section to pro
duce its superior. Yop should en
dure no longer the campaign of slan
der of which you have been constant
victims. Who knows better than you
the overwhelming difficulties which
you have met and overcome to en
large the opportunities of your
people? Who knows better than you
that the growth of the cotton In
dustry has made the new South?
Who knows better than you that It
is the generosity of southern mill
owners that have constantly rein
forced the meagre revenues of
poorer counties and made the door
way of the factory the gateway, to
the school.
THE TREE
(Inspired by Joyce Kilmer's poem)
I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a treo.
A tree whose hungry mouth Is pressed
Against the earth's sweet flowing
breast.
A tree that looks at God all day
A tree that may in summer wear
And lifts her leafy arms to prayt
A nest of robins in her hair;
Upon whose bosom snow has lain,
Who Intimately lives with rain.
Poems are made by fools like me.
But only God can make a tree.
—Joyce Kilmer.
No sight more mournful is to see
Than blackened stump of ruined tree,
A tiee that stood the north wind's
stress
And basked in xephyr's June caress.
Who's crown a song-bird’s shrine, to
pray
In tuneful lyrlo. nature’s way.
Stark at its feet a crackling sound
Curling tho cruel smoke around!
Bight as the wind Its ashen breath,
In agony of flames comes death!
'TIs God gives life to every tree;
Their death is laid to fools like me.
—Alvin T. jSteinel.
How Many Would Use It?
From the West Palm Beach Post.
One thing the world needs Is an
amplifier for the still, small voice.
One On Himself.
From the Pittsburgh Chronicle-Tel
egraphs
Said a hunter to a farmer who rde
beside him:
" I wouldn't ride over those seedlings
i If I were you. They belong to a dls.
agreeable fellow, who might make a
fuss."
"Well," said the farmer, ‘‘as hlm's
me, he won't say nothin’ about it to
day."
Physical education is a required sub
ject in all public elementary and high
schools of Virginia. To stimulate Inter
est In the matter, especially In rural
sections, tho state board of education
offers special financial aid to counties
and cities employing physical directors
conducting satisfactory courses In health
education.
■■■■.. ,■ ■• ■—... ■ — ■■■
Diamond Bracelet Mystery
When diamond and emerald bracelet*, valued at $1,200 each, were
delivered to Miss Louis* Haskell, daughter of County Judge Reuben L.
Haskell, of Brooklyn, N. V . and her cousin. Miss Grace Haskell, daugb
ter of Robert H. Haskell, attorney and prominent politician, there was
no Card to identify the donor. The judge called In the police, wht?SiU
covered that the bracelets had been purchased by Harry Moffett, who
had been a client of Mr Haskett and a friend of Judge Haskell. Mof
fett, who recently Inherited $10,000, evidently thought tbte was a goed
Way of showing his friendship, hut be blandly denied that he had
ever seen the bracelets, or knew anything about sending them. Like
wise, he refused to lake them back.
Actress Bride
FRANCES HOWARD «
Samuel Goldwyn, film producer,
Who has pe'slstently declined to
confirm repor*s of his engagement
to Prance* Howard, pretty and
talented actreas, obtained a license
to wed In Jersey City, N. J.f “SheM
my boss, I’ve known hor only four
weeks and think she’s the most
wonderful gird In the world,** said
Mr. Goldwyn- Their honeymoon will
be spent In California working on
the ’Tots,”' as the movie director
expressed It Miss Howard, who
lives with her mother In New York,
said "I’m superbly happy,” when
the license was granted.
Murder Trial
[OP-Y^PiA _MAC.wC
Olympia Maori, twenty years old,
has faced a Jury In New Haven,
Conn., on the charge of murdering
Joseph Bagnano, opera Binger,
after, she says, he refused 10
marry her to protect their baby s
name.
| Jewish University Dedicated
^A-gOH KOOK. DEDICATED PALESTINE V/NlVKfegl^ Mm|
The first Jewish University In Palestine was dedicated recently
with Impressive ceremonies. Leaders of tiie Zionist movement through
out the world attended the dedication. The photo shows a general view
of the ceremonies at Mount Scopush. Palestine, the Grand Rabbi of
Palestine, Dr. Abraham Isaac Kook, delivering the principal address^
Infantry Chief
Col. Robert H.
Allen has been
given the rank
of major general,
and Is now chief
of Infantry, suc
ceeding the re
tired Maj. Gen.
C. S. Farnsworth,
Colonel Allen la
novl on duty at
Vh e Leaven
worth general
staff school.
Superintendent
Luther C. White
of Massachusetts,
has been ap
pointed superin
tendent of feder
al prisons, suc
ceeding H. H.
Votaw, a broth
erlnlaw of the
late President
Harding, who re
signed. White
has assumed his
duties in the de
partment of Jus
tice.
Strangest Family in the World
I BARHyARP QUEEM jn^HER, PUPPIES ~_- *' /Wt. ., |
Her* U a Braramer hen with her brood of eight puppies, over which
this queen of the barnyard stands guard at all times. Bess, the hen. la
mothering her strange family. The puppies. qxlte young, seem t«
know that the hen Is tbeir guardian. Boss and her adopted children ai«
owned by George M. Bossier, of Dallas, Texas.
Noted Visitors
Up^i MARCH IQHES5 oMRERDEEN]
feckU?RP APERP&EN
Lord Aberdeen, former Governor
General of Canada and Governor of
Ireland, and the Marchioness of
Aberdeen, are in this country for
an extended visit. Lord Aberdeen
came to America to attend the In
ternational Architectural Expost
tion in New York. The Marchionesa
is president of the International
Council of Women, comprising
thirty-six nations and having a
membership of 31.000.000 She will
attend the sixth quinquennial con
vention of the society, tp be haM
la Washington.
