THOMAS DIXON H 3 K
Copyright. 1911. by
PROLOGUE.
This remarkable tale, in which
each character is sketched from
life by a master hand, goes be'
neath the surface of modern so
ciety and lays bare the canker at
the root. Like all Mr. Dixon's
work, it is a tale of American
life, essentially true in the picture
it draws and done with a swing'
ing power which brings its dra
matic scenes home to us. The
splendid strength of the tale lies
in the conflict between James
Stuart and Nan, in which love
and greed of wealth struggle for
mastery.
CHAPTER I.
A Star Boarder.
AT the end of a warm spring day
A hi New York, James Stuart sat
In the open' window of his
room oil Washington square
smiling. With a sense of deep joy he
watched the trees shake tlie raindrops
from their new emerald robes and the
flying clouds that flecked the western
sky melt into seas of purple and gold.
A huckster turned into Fourth street
crying:
'Straw berries, strawberries !"
And the young lawyer laughed lazily.
A flood of tender memories stole into
his Leart from the sunlit fields of the
south. He had gone hunting wild
strawberries with Nan Primrose ou the
bills at home In North Carolina the
day be first knew that he loved her.
How beautiful she was that day in
the plain blue cotton dress which fit
ted her superb young figure to perfec
tion! flow well he remembered every
detail of that ramble over the red hills
be could hear now the whistle of a
Bob White sitting on the fence near
the spring where they . lunched, calling
to hia mate. As Nan nestled closer
on the old stile they saw the little
brown bird slip from her nest In n
clamp of straw, lift her bead and soft
ly answer.
"Look!" Nun had whispered excited
ly. "There's her nest!"
Ue recalled distinctly his tremor of
sympathetic excitement as bcr warm
hand drew him to the snot. With pe
culiar vividness he remembered the
extraordinary moisture of the palm of
her band trembling with eager Interest
as be counted the eggs twenty beau
ties. Dut above all memories stood
out one. As he bent closo above her
he caught for the first time in his life
the delicate perfume of her dark rich
hair and felt the thrill of its mystery.
"It's their little home. isnt it, Jlmr
she exclaimed.
"I hope 1 can build as snug a nest
for you some day. Nan!" he whispered
gravely.
And when she stood silent and blush
ing he made the final plunge. Looking
straight Into her dark eyes he had
said :
"I love you. dear Nan!"
As she stood very still, looking down
In silence, with n throb of fear and
aching tenderness he dared to slip his
arm around tier waist and kiss the
trembling lips. And then he noticed
for the Hist time n deep red straw
berry stain In the corner of her mouth.
In spite of her xtruggles he laughingly
Insisted on kissing it away.
And then ns a dreamy smile stole
into her face she suddenly threw her
arms around his nock In passionate
tenderness, returning with Interest ev
ery kiss be had taken.
"Straw-berries I"
The man looked up and drawled his
familiar cry.
"Yes. yes!" he shouted. "Two loxcs
Put them on the stoop and keep the
changer
Ue threw the man, u silver dollar,
and the white teeth of the Italian sig
naled a smile of thanks as he bowed
low. lifting his dirty cap In acknowl
edgment. Nor w:is Nan's beauty merely n mem
ory: It wa the living presence, the
source of the Joy thnt filled tils soul to
overflowing today, for she hnd grown
more bonntlf nl than ever since her
mother had moved to New York.
Fie hud always believed Ihnt the renj
reason In the buck of Mrs. Primrose's
((hallow he:ul for this move to the
north hnd ln-en the determination to
break his engagement nnd make n
'nore brilliant nmrrlniiu for Nan. And
no when they left he followed
The mother hnd always profe-ed for
Thomas Dixon
him unbounded loyalty and admiration,
but he had never been deceived. He
knew that Mrs. Primrose lied as she
breathed politely, but continuously
by her Involuntary muscles. Day and
night since they had reached New
York she had schemed for Nan.
She had leased a bouse iu the fash
ionable neighborhood of Gramercy
park, and to meet the extraordinary
expense began a careful nnd systemat
ic search for rich young men to whom
she could let two floors.
Stuart was sure i:i his heart that Nun
had never Joined In those plans of her
mother, though ho had wished that she
might have shown a little more
strength in resisting them.
Well, he was going to win at last
nnd the world was full of music! lie
had the biggest surprise of life In
store for Nan, something no true wo
man's heart could resist. He had suc
ceeded after Incredible dimouities In
secretly building a cottage by the sea
In Brooklyn. Its lawn sloped to the
water's edge, and a trim boat lay nod
ding at the dock. Neither Mrs. Prim
rose nor Nan hnd the faintest suspl
clon of what ho had been doing.
Tomorrow he would lead his sweet
henrt into this holy of holies of life.
the home love had built. He could see
now the smile of tenderness break
over her proud face as he should hand
her the keys and nsk her to fix the
wedding day.
Ills reveries were broken by a timid
knock on the door and a faint call:
"Jim!"
"Come In!" he cried.
"You're not a bit glad to see me,"
the soft voice said. "I've been stand
ing out there for ages."
"Forgive me. Sunshine. I must have
been dreaming." Stuart pleaded, leap
ing from his seat ond seizing her bond.
"I'm awfully glad to see you!"
"Then don't call me that namo
again." she pouted.
"nut Isn't It beautiful?"
"It would be If my hair wasn't red
and I didn't have freckles and was
older." she protested, looking sway to
hide her emotion.
"But your hair Isn't quite red. Har
riet. It's Just the color of the gold
in honeycomb," he answered, gently
touching her disheveled locks. "Be
sides, those few little freckles are be
coming on your pink nnd white skin,
and you are nearly fifteen. Well. I'll
Just say. 'little pal.' How's that?"
"That's better." she said, with a
smile and sigh.
"Oh. Jim. I've been so dreadfully
lonely since you were away! I de
clare. Jim, I'll die If you go away
ffgaln. I Just can't stand It"
Stuart smilingly took her hand.
"Lonely. Miss Chatterbox, when that
big father of yours worships the very
ground you walk ou!"
"Yes. ! know he does, Jim, and I love
him. too. but you've no Idea how
dreadfully still the bouse is when you
are gone. Oh, say, 1 waut you to be
a real boarder and eat with us. Of
course you will."
"That would be very nice, dear, but
I'm sure your father would draw the
line at a real boarder. I'd never have
got this beautiful room with that
big old fashioned open fireplace In your
home If It hadn't happened that our
fathers fought each other In the war
and became friends one day on a big
battlefield. It's been a second home to
me."
"He our boarder and I'll make It a
real home for you, Jim," she pleaded.
"Ah you'll be making a real home
some day for one of those boys I saw
at your birthday party the tall, dark
one. I think?"
"No. Ue doesn't measure up to my
standard."
"What nils him?"
"He's a coward. My hero must be
brave, for I'm timid."
Then It will be that fat blond fellow
with n Jolly laugh?"
"No; he's a fibber. My prince, when
be conies, must be truthful. It'a so
hard for me nlwnys to tell the truth."
"Then It will be thnt dreamy look
ing ono of fifteen you danced with
twice?"
"No. he's too frail. My hero must be
strong, for I am weak. And bo must
have a big, noble ideal of life; for mine
Is very small-Just n little home nest
and n baby nnd the love of one mar'"
"I'm not sure about that being such
a very small Ideal, girlie."
"But. oh. my! I've forgotten what I
came running home for. Papa sent me
to ask yon to please eoine down to the
fnetory rlirlit away, lie wants to see
you on h very Important matter. It
must be awfally important He look-'
ed so worrlt.l. 1 dou't think I ever saw
him worried before."
'I'll go at oiu-e." Stuart said.
He strode rapidly across town to
ward the I'.owery, through Fourth
street, worn! -ring what could have hap- j
pened to bivak the accustomed good j
humor of the doctor. i
The doctor had long since retired ,
from the practice of medicine as aj
profession and only used It now as his
means of ni tiistertng to the wants of
his neighbor 4. His neighbor were a
large tribe, however, scattered all thoi
way from the cellars and dives of Wa
ter street t the shanties and goat
ranges of tlie upper Harlem. Stuart
had never met a man so full of cou
taglous health. He was a born physi
cian. There was healing in the touch
of his big hand. Healing light stream
ed from his brown eyes, and his iron
gray heard sparkled with it His
presence lu u sickroom seemed to fill
it with waves of life, nnd hiB Influence
over the patients to whom he minis
tered was little short of hypnotic.
Stuart found the doctor stnnding at
the door of his factory, shaking hands
nnd chatting with his employees as
they emerged from the building nt the
close of a day's work. A plain old
fashioned brick structure Just off the
Bowery was this factory, and across
the front ran a weatherbeaten sirn
which had not been changed for more
than fifty years: "Henry Woodman
Manufacturing Chemist."
The doctor's father had established
the business fifty-two years ago. and
the son. who bore his father's name,
had succeeded to its management on
his death, which occurred Just after
the return of the younger man with
his victorious regiment from their Inst
campaign with Grant before Peters
bnrg nnd Appomattox.
He took Stuart's hand In his big.
crushing grip nnd handed hlra a letter.
which he opened nnd read hastily:
No. CO Cramercy Park.
To Dr. Henry Woodman:
Dear Sir I must have an answer to tht
proposition of the American Chemical
company before noon tomorrow. Aftt
that hour the matter will be definitely
closed. JNO. C. CALHOUN EIVENS.
April 2, 1S98.
Still looking nt the letter ho asked:
"What does It mean?"
"An ultimatum from the chemical
trust. I'll explain to you when you've
seen something of my work tonight
The first hour I want you to put Id
with me nt the dispensary."
Stuart's eye rested on the embossed
heading of the letter, "No. GO Gramer
cy park," nnd he slowly crushed the
paper. It was the Primrose house,
Nan's home. Her mother had sue
ceeded.
Bivens, the new sensation in high
finance, she had established as her stai
boarder in Stuart's absence; Bivens,
his schoolmate at college; Bivens. th
little razorback scion of poor whits
trash from the south who had sudden
ly become a millionaire!
nis blood boiled with rage. As he
turned and followed the doctor he
laughed with sudden fierce dctermlnn
tion.
The dispensary was Woodrann's hob
by. The old fashioned drug store stood
on n corner of the Bowery, nnd In tlu
rear extension, which opened on the
side street, be had established what he
laughingly called his "life Hue." a free
dispensary where any man ueedlng
medicine or a doctor's advice could
have It without charge If unable to
pay
For two hours Stuart saw him mln
ister with patience and skill to tht
friendless and the poor; for each a
cheerful word and the warm grasp ol
his big hand with the prescription
The young Sawyer watched with curl
ous Interest the quickened step with
which each one left. The medicine had
begun to work before the prescription
was filled.
When the last applicant had gout
Stuart turned to the doctor:
"And what Is the proposition which
the distinguished young head of the
chemical trust has made you?"
"That I sell my business to them at
their own valuation nnd come into the
trust or get off the earth."
"And you wish my advice?"
"Yes."
"What figure did he name?"
"More than its cash value."
"Then you will accept, of course?"
"I would If there were not some
things that can't be reckoned In terms
of dollars and cents. If I take stock
In the American Chemical company I
am a party to their methods, an heir to
their frauds."
"Yet isn't the old regime of the small
manufacturer and the retailer doom
ed? Isn't combination the new ordei
of modern life? Will It pay you tc
fight a losing battle? Bivens Is not i
man of broad culture, but be Is a very
smooth young gentleman"
"He's a contemptible little scamp!"
snapped the older man. "When I took
him Into my drug store six years ag
ho didn't have a change of clothes
Now he's a millionaire. How did hi
get It? ne stole a formula I had used
to relieve nervous headaches, mixed It
In water with a little poisonous color
lng matter, pushed It Into the soda
fountain trade, made bis first half mil
lion, organized the American Chemlca'
company and blossomed Into a mag
nate. And now this little soda foun
tain pip threatens ine with ruin utiles?
I Join his gang ond help him rob my
neighbors. It happens that I like my
neighbor. My business Is to heal the
sick, not merely to mnke money. Thou
sands of children die at my very doot
every summer who could be saved by a
single prescription If they could get It
That's the thought that grips me when
I begin to figure the profits In this
trade. I'm making a fair living
don't want any more out of my neigh
bors. I've Nhnwn you some of them
tonight."
"I'll nevei forget them." Stua
broke In.
"We used to cry over Uncle Tom
woes." the doctor i-outiuued. "And yi
there are more than 5.000.000 whit
people lu America today who are tlu
slaves of poverty, cruel and pitiless
The black slave always had food huiI
shelter, clothe:; and medicine. My busi
ness is to lieal the sick -mind you!
Shall I give it up to exploit them?"
"But could you not use your greater
wealth for greater good if you joined
the trust V" the lawyer asked. "Won't
they make drugs more economically
than you do and drive you to the wall
at last? Isn't this new law of co-operation
the law of progress iu brief, the
law of God?"
"That remains to be proved. I don't
believe It."
"Well. I do. uud 1 think that if you
fight it will be against the stars in
their courses"
"I'm going to fight" was the firm
response. "The law Is on my side. Isn't
It?"
"The written law, yes. But you are
facing a bigger question than one of
statutory law."
"So I am, boy, so I am! That's why
1 gave you u glimpse tonight of the
"There art things that can't be bought
or old."
world in which 1 live and work and
dream."
"Bivens has put up to you u cold
blooded business proposition"
"Exactly. And there are things that
can't be bought and sold. I am one of
them!" The stalwart figure rose In
simple dignity, and there was a deep
tremor in his Voice as he paused.
"But I'm keeping you. It'a 0 o'clock
nnd somebody's waiUng-eh, boy?"
"Yes." Stuart answered apologetical
ly. "I'm afraid I've not been of much
use to you tonight"
The doctor bent closer, smiling:
"I understand-of course. The angels
are singing in your heart this evening
the old song of life that always makes
the world new and young and beau
tiful. And yet It couldn't be meas
ured In terms of barter and sale, could
it?" The doctor gripped his hand
tenderly in parting.
The smile died from the younger
man's face, and his answer was scarce
ly audible:
"No."
(To He Continued.)
Attention, Farmers!
My l)ear Fanner Have you your
own farm or are you routing? I
have land in Minnesota, cut over
limlter, from ?i0 to 15 per acre.
One-1 hi id cash, balance at f per
cent. I have good, smooth land
in Slovens county, Minnesota,
from $i.r to !?i5 per acre. This
land is sold direct from the own
er of the land. No land company
in this deal. I also handle the
best land in eastern Oklahoma.
Corn runs from sixty to seventy
bushels to the acre. Now if you
want land try me and see. I deal
with no ajfcnt. If you come with
an njront you must pay him your
self. Write or call,
Henry Hummels,
1121 North 2f.lh St.,
Lincoln, Neb.
Accepts Resignation.
From Tuesday's Dally.
The school hoard held a special
meeting last evening formally ac
cepted the resignation of Super
intendent Abbott, to take effect
the first of the year, and although
i ry sorry to lose the services of
the superintendent, Ihey recogni
zed the difference in the positions
and gave the superintendent his
lelease. The board has not se
lected a successor as yet.
Farm for Sale.
Klo-acrc farm, four miles from
town, between 50 nnd f0 acres
under plow, 7 acres hay land, bal
ance pasture. Running . water.
Seven-room honso and other im
provements. Impure at the oflleo of Rawls
.V IloborUon. lO-in.tf-wkly
Given by Cosmopolitan Club
Tuesday Evening, Dec, 31
Coates' Hall, Plattsmouth
Dance the Old year out and the New year in
5 Big Cash Prizes
Music by M. W. A. Orchestra
Admission, Gents 50c, Ladies' 25c, Specta
tors 25c, Children 10c
HEADS OF TWO
ROADS INDICTED
Charged With Violating Sherman
Anti-Trust Law,
AGREEMENT BASIS OF CHARGE
Officials of New Haven and of Grand
Trunk Roads Accused of Trade Re
straintPurpose of Combine Alleged
to Be to Prevent Extensions.
New York, Dec. 24 Charlea S.
Mellon, president of the New York,
New Haven and Hartford railroad; E.
J. Chamberlain, president of the
Grand Trunk railway of Canada, and
Alfred VV. Stulthers, chairman of the
Grand Trunk board of directors, were
indicted by the federal grand Jury
here, charged with violating the Sher
man antl-truHt law In the alleged mo
nopoly agreement between the two
roads.
The Indictment avers Mellon, Cham
berlain and Smlthers were engaged
on Aug. 3, 1812, and "hav Mnce en
Caged in an unlawful combination to
prevent the construction and comple
tion of certain extensions of the Grand
Trunk railway lu New England."
It Is also charged ttiey conspired to
prevent the operation of steamships
between Providence and New York.
HORSE PLAGUE IN KANSAS
Symptoms of Disease Noted at Albert
Differ From Summer's Scourge.
Albert, Kan., Dec. 24. A new and
mysterious horse disease has devel
oped near here which Is baffling all
efforts of veterinarians, according to
A. C. Wagner, a wheat man. Seven of
Wagner's horses have been sick sev
eral weeks. The ailment differs from
the horse plague this fall as the an
imals eat, though they mope around
in dazed condition and lie down asj
did those stilcken with the plague.
Though subjected to constant treat,
mcnt, no change lias been notod In
any of the eases during the last
month. Mr. Wagner says the horses
of several farmers In his vicinity also,
are affected.
New Variety of Durum Wheat.
Washington, Dee. 24. A new vnri-'
ety of durum wheat, which promises
to be valuable for the cereal growers
of the northwest, has been Imported
by the department of agriculture. It
comes from Hezenshook, southeastern
Russia, where It was originated at the,
Russian government's experiment sta-j
tion. Frank N. Meyer, agricultural ex
pert of the foreign seed and plant di
vision of the department, discovered i
the new wheut last summer during hlsj
trip through central Asia.
Schooner Sinks; Fifteen Lives Lest
Mobile, Ala., Dec. 24. The British
schooner Georgians, with ten passen
gers and a crew of five, foundered off
Luce'i, Jamaica, ip trying to make
that port during the November gulf
storm and all on board were lost, ac
cording to dispatches received here.
The British schooner Cartsgenla has
not been heard from since Nov. 17.
nnd it U believed that vessel with Its
crew of seven also has gone down.
Railroad Held Responsible.
Zanesvllle, O., Dec. 24. Coroner A.
F. Walters huld officials of the Penn
sylvania railroad responsible for the
wreck at Dresden on Dec. 3, when a
train on the Cleveland, Akron and Co
lumbus division colllflod with a Cln
clnnrtl and Muskingum Valley di
vision train and eleven persons were
killed. He sk.vs that the trains were
running too closely together.
Formoso Farmer Gored to Death.
Formosn. Kan., Doe. 24 J. J. lyiwe,
ono of the onrly settlers of Jewell
count v, was gored to death by a hull.
Mr. lx)we went Into the rattle yard
with a rope to eateh the bull nnd the
animal attacked him, Knocking him
down and cruslilnn him with its head.
Q)f)
ml
For SaOeS
The following desirable town
properties:
A fine 8-room, modern resi
dence, with three lots; could not
be duplicated for less than $5,
000.00. Our price for a short
lime, $2, 050.00.
Another lino 8-room residence,
all modern with the exception of
furnace; convenient lo business,
churches and schools, for $2,
100.00. Could not be duplicated
for less than $5,000.00.
Another nico .seven-room resi
dence, in Rood locality, only two
blocks from business, and can bo
bouuht for $2,300.00, but will sub
mit offers. t
We have for sale what is known
as (lie t'oates' property, a fine
modern home of 8 rooms, heated
by hot water and arranged most
conveniently, loKclher with three
lots, and with it, just across the
street, a five-acre park with a
large and fine, variety of trees.
This all poes for $5,000. Will
submit offers.
WINDHAM
Investment and Loan Co.
Plattsmouth, Nebraska
Frank I.orenz of Sheldon, Iowa,
arrived Ibis morning and will
visit here with his brothers over
Christmas.
Herman Tiekoller was u pas
senger this morning for Hartley,
Neb., where he will visit relatives
for a few days.
Safety razors, all kinds, $1.00
to $5.00, nt Eastwood's.
Bought and Sold
ON COMMISSION!
Insurance Placed in Best
Companies!
Farm Loans and Rental Agency
Virgil r.lullis
ROBERT WILKINSON
DUNBAR
L.J. HALL
UNION
Wilkinson & Hall
-AUCTIONEERS-
The holding of successful sales is
our line. Our interests are with the
seller when it comes to getting every
dollar your property is worth. For
open dates address or call either of
us at our expense by phone. Dates
can be made at he Journal office.
WILKINSON & HALL-
Real Estate