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About The Plattsmouth journal. (Plattsmouth, Nebraska) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 20, 1913)
TiEiO THOMAS DIXON ff& j ! - Copyright. 1911. CHAPTER VIII. A Straight Tip. N "AN received the announcement of Rivens failure to settle Woodmnn's suit with a (trim resolution to wtn now. at all hazard The sensational reports of Slw.irt's action ngalnst the big finan ciers had given her quirk mind the cue o a new line of stratagem She bf5m rnutlously. "Ton are not golnc to tfve up a thing I're pet my heart on merely because o.d Woodtnnn'H a fool, are you?" she asked her hiishnnd. with a touch o' scorn "Jim Stuart Is the best friend yu ever had ' lie Ims become one of me moat lamoua men in America. 1 want him at our next entertainment. "The thing that puzzles me." Bivens broke la. "Is why he will not come to the liouso. When I meet him dowD town he'a always friendly." Nan's Hps quivered with a queer lit tle smile. "Will he Bucceed in this action tgalnst these men?" , "No; he can't get the facts. If ho could he'd shake th foundations of the financial world." "Why not give the facta to him?" "I had thought of that, b'lt it might brlnjr on a panic." "What have you to lose by it?" "Nothing, but a panic's a dangerous thing to monkey with." "It couldn't Injure Stuart?" his wife asked cautiously.- ' "No It couldn't hurt him. On the ther hand, I might make him the un conscious instrument of a great per-soa-l vengeance, double my fortune and possibly land Jim in the White Douse." "Yon must do it, dear!" his wife cried, trembling with suppressed ex citement "It's playing with dynamite." "it's worth the risk to double your fortune. Do It for my sake!" Nau lenned close and pressed her haslmnd's hand while her dark eyes found their way Into his heart "I'll do It." he snid with flrra ac cent. "I'll phone him at once." When Stuart sat down with Bivens la one of the magnificent private din ing rooms of his millionaire club ;wo days later he was struck with the per fection of the financier's dress and the sy elegance of his manners. "Nan has surely done wonders with oBie pretty crude material!" he mused. H retailed Nan's diary with grim amusement. U took two years to thoroughly break him so that she could always be sure that his nails were trimmed and his rlatuea In perfect style. Ue had long uKe ceased to struggle and had found much happinens of late years in vying with her In the perfection of his per sonal appearance. When the dinner waa finished Bivens dismissed the waiter, lighted one of his huge cigars and drew from a mo rocco case which be had placed beside hid chair a typewritten manuscript Ue turned its leuves thoughtfully a mo ment and handed them to Stuart , "There's a document, Jim. that cost me $10,000 to prepare; for whose sup pression l.UOU,U"o would De puiu ami no questions asked." "But why this generosity on your part. Cal?" ' "I have anticipated that question. 1 answer It fully and frankly. There is enough dynamite In that document to blow up half of Wall Street and laud somebody in the White House." "And many In the morgue?" "And some in the penitentiary. I've watched your work the past nine years with genuine pride, Jim You've said a lot of hard things about rich malefac tors, but you've never touched me." vo, i tnuik you re too shrewd to be caught In that class. Cal." r v i i"t H mi.a.lf that I am It's nnl. the clumsy fool who gets tangled in the criminal law But a lot of them have done It big fellows whose names fill the world with noise. I've taken the pains to put Into that typewritten document the names, the dates, the places, the deeds, the names of the wit nesses and all the essential facts. Do what you please with it If you do what I think you will, some men who are wearing purple and fine linen will dc wearing eiripes iieiore auoiuer year and you will be the biggest man in New York." "And your motive?" "Perhaps I wish to get even with some men who have done me a dirty trick or two, and perhaps Incidentally ' hi the excitement which will follow thta exposnre oj . fraud and crime I y Thomas Dixon may make an honest penny W that enough" "Quite." "And vou'll make the attack at once?" Stuart glanced rapidly through the first page of the document and hi eyes bognn to dnnce with excitement "The only favor I ask." Bivens add ed. "is twenty-four hours' notice be fore you act" "I'll let you know." Stnart rose quickly, placed the docu ment In his Inside pocket and hurried home. The deeper the young lawyer pro lied Into the mass of corruption Bivens had placed In his hands the more profound became his surprise That men whose namoR were the synonyms of honesty and fair dealing, men intrusted with the management of companies whose assets represented the savings of mil lions of poor men. the sole defense of millions of helpless women and chil drenthat theRe trusted leaders of the world were habitually prostituting their trusts for personal gain, stagger ed belief. He- delayed action and began a care ful. patient thorough Investigation As It proceeded his amazement In creased. ITe found that Bivens had only scratched the surface of the truth New York, the financial center of th nation, hfld gone mad with the Insane passion for money at all hnzards-by all means, fair or foul The nation was on the tidal wa e of the most wonderful Industrial boom In Its his tory. The price of stocks had reached fabulous figures and still soared to greater heights. Millionaires were springing cm. like mushrooms, In a night. Two months had passed since P.lven placed In the district attorney's hanrt the document which was destined to make snd distort in the nnnal nf the metropolis Shinrt felt th.'il the time hart crime net It was his solemn duty to the people lie sat In his private ollice In one of the great skyscrapers downtown hold ing in his hand a list of the men he was alMMit to ask the grand jury to In diet for crimes which would send iheiu to prison, exile nnd dishonored dentil. "I've ;ot to d it that's all. Hut be fore I do, I'm going to know one or two things beyond the shadow of a doubt." Ue seized his telephone and made an appointment to call at once on Bivens The financier extended his delicate hand and with a cordial smile led Stu art to a seat beside bis desk. The only sign he betrayed of deep emotion was the ice like coldness of his slender fingers. ... ,, "Well. Jim. you've completed your very thorough investigation?" VIIow did you know I was making a thorough Investigation?" . ' "1 make It . my business to know things which vitally interest me. Yon found my facts accurate, and you are ready- to strike?" , . "When I have confirmed some state ments you have made in your story Tha Privatt L.if of .No. 660." concerning the private life of these men. IIow do you know the accuracy of the fact you state In a single line., for instance, about 'he private life and habits.. o thcjuw Ident of a certain trut i'oni:i!iy "You don't suppose I would make .i statement ll!-: that unless I know It to be true?" "How did you discover It?" "Verv simply." Bivens stepped to one of the gre-il steel safes and drr-w out a manuscript notebook of some 300 pi'ges of type written mutter On the buck of the morocco cover was printed In plain gold lettering- "The Private Life of No ,W lie handed the volume 10 Stuart. closed thp s.ife and resumed hi seat I "Yuu may take that book with you. Mm." he said .piu-tly "1 trust to your honor not to reveal its contents ex cept in the discharge of your sworn doty as hii officer of the law Yon will Mnd In It the record of thp distinguish d president's private life for the past ten years without the . omission of a "itmle event of any lnivrtance." Smart glanced through the book with amazement "How did you come Into possession of such facts'?" No i rouble at all." wi-s the easv answer "It only require a nme mm. y ami a little patience and a I'ttle cure in selecting the right men for the right Job Any man in the business world who thinks he can do as he pleases In this town will wake some morning with ti decided Jolt. Tl war for financial xupivninoy has developed a secret service which approaches per fection Not only do I systematically watch my employees until I know ev ery crook and turn of their lives, dot watch with even greater care the heads of ewry rival firm In every le part incut of the Industrial world where my interests touch theirs, "I not only watch the heads of firms; watch their trusted assistants ami confidential men. In that big safe a thousand secrets lie lin ked whose rev elation would furnish matter enough to run the yellow Journals for the next five years Modern business Is war. the fieriest and most cruel the world has ever known It is of greater tin porta nee to a modern captain of In dustry to know the plans of his enemy thim it ever was to the commanding general of an opposing army." "I see." Stuart responded thought fully "There are men down there In the I street now." Bivens went on dreamily, "who nr wearing silk hats today for whom the prison tailor Is cutting a xult I have their records In that silent little steel dad nom It's a pitiful thing but It's life "The scarcest thing In New York to day. Jim. Is the man who can't be bought ami sold The thing that's be yond price in the business world is character - combined with brains That's why I made vou the offer I fl'ul once upon a time to come In with me There are positions today In New York with a salary of half a million a year waiting for men who can till them If I could find one man of the highest or dor of creative and executive ability wlio would xtiinil lit me It my enter prises I could be M'e richest mini he world In len veai's " Stuart ll'lc.l liN toes rroni the re.' oiM he was i-ii-uisillt iiaiinltit: and smiled Into -'. ' d ifl-- -i-rions fa.-e The look silent ed the speaker Til little man knew instin. ii ely that Stu art was at that inmiieiii weighing his own life and character by the merciless standard he had set up for others I mi ned by conventional laws, he had notliiiiK to feur lie wiix n fuiihfnj member of hi church. He u.ive .iil emlly o Its work uud gave gciif inis ly to a hundred worthy charities, lie loved his wU- with old fashioned loy alty and tenderness and grieved that slie wait childless. He stood by bis friends and foeglit bis eneiuie. asking no quarter and giving none Vet in nla heart of hearts he knew that, however loftily he ralht dis course at present about "character." "honor." "Integrity" and "fair deal ing." he had stolen the formula from his big hearted employer. Woodman, with which he had laid the foundation of his fortune. It wns the first half million that came hard. It was this first half million that bore the stain of shame. - - ' Ills other questionable acts on vhlcn the fate of millions had often bung be. had.no difficulty , In Justifying. Busi ness wits war. , Bivens waited for Stuart to speak. The moment was one big with fat. Stuart was about to reach n decision that would make hi.story. No one knew so well Its Importance as the keen Intellect that gleamed hehlud the little black eyes watching with tire less patience. Below he could hear the roar of the city's life. Men bought and sold' with no fear of tomorrow. Yet a single word from the Hps of the tall, clean shaved young officer of the law nnd a storm would break , which might tear from the foundations Insti tutions on whose solidity modern civ ilization seemed to. rest :,"Well.. Jim.", Bivens said at length! "yon are going to act?" . Stuart rose abruptly, his reply sharp snd clear: . . ? Yes, I'm going to act." "At once?" , . , ' "It's my duty." Bivens grasped his bant1. "I congratulate you, Jim. Iou are going to do, a big thing, one of the biggest things In our history. Ton are going to teach the mighty that iho law Is mightier. It ought to land you at the very top In politics or ar.y other old place you'd like to. climb." "That's something which doesn't In terest me yet. Cal. , The thing that stuns me Is that I've got to do so pain ful a thing. . But my bnslness Is the enforcement of Justice. There's one thing I , still can't understand why you of all men on esrth should have put this Information In my hands. The honor of the achievement,' If good shall come to the country. Is really yours, not mine " "And you can't conceive of my act ing for the country's good?" HI veus black eyes twin kind. "Not by the wildest lean of my Imag ination." The twinkle broadened lno a smile as the lawyer continued: "Your code s simple, Cal. There's no provision In It for disinterested ef fort for others. This time you've got me up a tree You have rendered the ioolo a great service You have placed me under personal obligations, nut how yon are going to get anything out of It Is beyond me." ' 'Oh. I'll have my reward, my boy." Bivens answered Jovially, as his dainty finirers again stroked his beard, press Ing his mustache back from the thin Hps, "and I assure you it will not be purely spiritual." The door had scarcely closed on Stu art when Bivens pressed the button which called his confidential secretary. In a moment the man stood at his el how with the tense erect bearing of an orderly on the field of battle. The quick nervous touch of the master's hand on that button had told to his sensitive ears the story of a coming life and death struggle. Ills words came with sharp, nervous energy: "Yes. sir?" "A meeting of the Allied Baukers here In thirty minutes. No telephone messages. A personal summons to each. They enter one nt a time that no one on the outside sees them come." (To Ho Continued.) SUM'S GUILD MEET AT THE DONNELLY HOI From Friday's Dally. The St. Mary's Guild of St. Luke's parish held a most de lightful kensinglon and program at, the pleasant home ' of Mrs. James II. Donnelly yesterday aft ernoon. This most enjoyable oc casion was very largely attended and proved a splendid afternoon's entertainment. Most of the ladies brought their kensinglon bag and whiled away some very pleasant moments plying the busy needles on dainty fancy work. A feature of the afternoon's entertainment was ait xcellcnt program, who was fortunate enough to be pros great ly enjoyed. This program consisted of vocal selections by Mrs. II. S. Austin, Miss Kdith Dovy, Miss Itarbara Clement; piano solos were furnished by Mrs George Falter and Miss EmiiHi Cummins, while I liese vocal and insl ruiiiental numbers were interspersed by readings by Mis Marie pouglnss. Mrs. lon. nelly was unable lo sing. The j numbers on Ibis program were i given in a very charming manner ami greatly assisted in making this kensinglon so pleasing. Af ler (he program excellent re freshments were served, and at aboul 5 o'clock I he large company lisn -rsed. vol ing the occasion a ; success in a financial wav and Mrs. Donnelly a splendid and very hospitable enl erlainer, A Girl's Wild Midnight Ride. To warn 'people, of a fearful forest lire in the Calskills a young girl rode horseback at midnight and saved many lives. Her deed was glorious, but lives are often saved by Dr. King's New Discovery in curing lung trouble, coughs and colds, which might have end ed in consumption or pneumonia, "It cured me of a dreadful cough and lung disease," writes V. II. Patterson, Wellington, Tex., "af ter four in our family had died with consumption, and J gained 87 pounds." Nothing so sure and safe for all throat and lung troubles. Price 50c and $1.00. Trial bottle free. Guaranteed by F. G. Fricke & Co. When ordering flour ask your grocer to send you a sack of Forest Rose Flour the best flour YOU can come to this sale of high-grade Suits arid Overcoats and pay $13.50, $15, $16.25 or $18.75, and get your choice of any hand-tailored Suit or Overcoat in the store, blue serges and fur overcoats included, which sell regularly at $18, $20, $22.50 and $25. These are wonderfully good values at regular prices, arid with the extra discount 'which we are now giving, they are unequalled. - We're clearing our stock of Manhattan Shirts we men tioned it before.' ' The bargains are too good to last 'much longer; don't wait too long to' get yours. $2.00 Manhattans now (black label) $1.40 $1.50 " " (red label) $1.15 Manhattan Shirts A Rousing Shirt Sale! Opens Friday Morning See Our Windows 25 dozen men's Fine Shirts in all the newest patterns and colorings go on sale here Friday morning at such a low price you cannot afford not to buy them. Not a shirt in the lot worth less than $1 and many of them $1.25 and $1.50 values. For this clearance sale they do at CASH C. E. Wescott's Sons Always the Home DELIGHTFUL TIME AT TIE HOME OF GEORGE STANDER From Friday's Daily. Last evening the young people of the Christian church enjoyed a most delightful social time at the George Slander home, west of this city, when Messrs. John, Hugh and Russell Stander, mem bers of the Loyal Sons class of the church, acted as hosts for the throng of happy young 'people. The Messrs. Slander drove in early in the evening and brought the jolly crowd out in hay-racks, anj l(Y thjs Umo lhoy aro we)l on and the fun of the trip was great. hpip vny lo lho cana zono an(j ly enjoyed by the young people j on jnvinK. t10 nmy breezes of the and everyone was in the. best of iKulf While at'Tampa, Florida, Mr. humor for the entertainment that; eh leicher had the pleasure oT wns provided for them at the lllooling n sis(or ulom 10 ha(j not Slander homo, ami there was m.l.m,n f()I. v,,arSi ail(1 it waa 1)y ac a dull moment during the whole , cj,en, hat ,lp (lisC0VPrej her ad evening, Games and music wre ; lr(SS( nf he was C0IlVersing with indulged in until (he crowning Ronlman there and mentioned feature ftf the evening's pleasure j , mum nf hia .olj1Cr-in-law, came in the shape of Ihe most de- , , infnrmed him hn licious refreshments, to which everyone certainly did ample' justiee, and when the home-going hour came everyone voted the Slander boys most royal enter - lainers and hoped guests again,. to be their JULIAN CARLSON ENTERS PLEA OF GUILTY TO ASSAULT From Friday's Ially. . The sheriff yesterday afternoon brought Julian Carlson in from Cedar Creek to answer to the plmrir,. ,,f nws:iiill mi the riersnn of Martin Miller, and he entered a plea of guiltv and was lined $20 and costs, which he paid. The nihnr defendant in this case. Charles Chester, made his escape and could not be found, so he will have to remain a fugitive from justice. Martin Miller, the man who was assaulted, was also fined $10 and costs on complaint of be ing drunk on the occasion when the assault took place. The parlies arc from near Cedar Creek, where, they aro employed in tho quar- of Satisfaction- ries and it would bo well for them in tho future to uso better judg ment when they feel in a warlike mood. G. B. SCHLEICHER AND WIFE DEPART FOR PANAMA From Friday's Dally. Word has been received by Charley Miller and wife, who re side south of this city, from their son-in-law, C. 11. Schloichor and wife, informing them that thoy were nil readv in sail for Panama. was well acquainted with them nrol cave Mr. Schleicher their ad- (r(s nn(, U0 ri,8lll a mQ8l , jovfl), minion between the ;, 'MlI,P nrul .,, Rn imur brother separated. Mr. Schleicher and wife aro njoying fine health arid hav ing the time of their lives on their excursion. A Hero in A Lighthouse. For years J. S. Donahue, So. Haven, Mich., a civil war captain, as a light house keeper, averted aw ful wrecks, but a queer fact is, he might have been a wreck, him self, if Electric Hitters had not 1 pcevenled. "They cured me of kidney (rouble and chills." he writes, "after I had taken other j so-called cures for years, without benefit, and they also improved my i sight. Now, at seventy, I am feeling line." For dyspepsia, in digestion, all stomach, liver and kidney troubles, they're without equal. Try them. Only 50 cents at F. G. Fricke & Co. Visiting cards, invitations, pro grams, and all otner kinds of fancy printing dona at the Jour nal office. Stetson Hats