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About The morning Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1899-1930 | View Entire Issue (July 22, 1906)
9 ACAPTAININ THE RANKS By George vmj Eggloston e i , SYNOPSIS, V j 'f : Captain Guilford Duncan, 0. 8, A tikm part in tint hut flitht, at Appo mattox, ami leave the army. If ihn determines to go to Cairo, III, Although well educated and a Iwyr, Captain Duncan if without family op money, mid work bit parage to Cairo. Here lis t'nptaln Kalinin' cotton from flio. and Optain Hallsm, a modern "caplaln of Industry," hires Captain Duncan, and quickly advance lu bl eniplnyer't etlaitln. JI save Cap tain Ilallam's coal fleet from dtr u;tlon by a ttorm. and U made a partner by Captain llallam. Tim young' men be comet a foroi) of good among tbe young men of Cairo, Barbara Veie,a young lady, run the boarding house in whloh t'splslg Duncan takst hli meal. Cap tain Duncan la thanked by Barbara for saving liar from annoyaw-a by inlschlav ou boya. lia determine to call upon her. Captain Duncan Invite Barbara to dano'. J(e Incur tha riimlty of Nappar Tandy, a plUIUt a rival of Captain Ilnllam. by making of tha latter'a ml mlna paying property, In competition with olio of Tandy's properties, At tlia coal inina Duncan meets an old emiaiiitanee, Dick Temple, now working a a miner. Dirk Temple suggest a way to tnereaie tlto output of tha mine and il apimlntpd engineer. XVl-Dunean, who U In low with Barbara. (Continued from last Week.) t CHAPTER XVII, FOR more than a year now Gull ford Duncan bad tun diligently studying those processes of ui bullcllng wblcb were ao rapidly converting tba west Into an empire of extraordinary wealth and power, lie bad made many suggestions that bad commended themselves for immediate execution, together with aotno thot tuuat wait for years to come. lie bad condemned aome projects tbat seemed hopeful to other, and be had Induced modifications In many. All these tbings bad been done main- if In bis letters and reports to Captain rill llallam, but the aubatance of boa letters ana reports nan oeon promptly laid before others, especially before those great financiers of tha east upon whom all enterpriaas of mo luent throughout the country depended iot the means of their accomplishment. In that way Guilford Duncan had be come known to the "niaater builders," as he called these men, and had won t goodly shar of tbetr confidence, II .was regarded as a young man of on ,wual gifts la the way of conttrnctlrs nterprtne a trifle overbold, some thought, overconfident, even vtsionsry, but, In the main, sound In bis calcula tions, as results bad abown when his plans were adopted. On the other band, some projectors, whose enter prises be bad discouraged aa unsound or premature, complained tbat so far from being a Tlalonary be was In fact t pessimist, a discouraging force thai stood In tbe way of that "development of the country" from which they hoped for personal gain of one kind or an other. Nappcr Tandy was Uullford Dun cau'a enemy from the hour In which Duncan bad forced that little branch railroad In tho coal regions to haul Dallam's coal on eo,ual turme with hie own. Dut Tandy had aald nothing whatever about tbat He never pub lished bis enmities till tho time came. 'About the time of Duucan'a return to Cairo he added another to his offenses .gainst Tandy, In a way to Intenalfy that mallgnaut person'a hostility. Taudy wna achemlng to aecure a costly extension of tbla branch rail road through a aparaoly aettlod aud thin soiled region in a way that would greatly enrich himself becauae of hta vast property holdlnga there. He bad iwell nigh persuaded a group of capi talists to undertake the extenalon when, acting cautlouNly, aa financiers must, they decided to ask. Duncan to study tho situation and make a report upon tho project Ho had already studied tho question thoroughly during bis atny at tho mines and was con vinced that nothing but loas could come of the attempt Tbe region through wblcb tho line must run was too poor In agricultural aud other re sources to afford even a hope of a paying traffic. Tbe lino Itself must bo a costly onobecauso of certain topo graphical features, and, finally, another and shorter line, clonely paralleling this proposed extension, but running through a much richer country, was already In course of construction. Tandy know all these things quite as well as Guilford Duncan did. But Tandy also knew many methods in business with which Duncan Was not familiar. As soon as be was no tilled by tbe capltullnts with whom he was negotiat ing that they bad employed Duncan to examine and report and tliut their final decision would be largely Influenced by his judgment, Tandy, with special po liteness, wrote to Duncan asking him to call at his bouse that evening "for a little consultation on business affairs that may interest both of us." " , Duncan vell knew that he had of fended Taudy in the matter of the coat cars, hut as Tandy had made no sign he could see rio possible reason for re fusing this request for a business con sultation'. " .Moreover, Gvillford Duricah felt himself under a double responsi bility, lie felt tint be must not only guard and promote the 'Interests of those who had employed him to study tills question, but tbat be was also un der obligations to consider carefully tbe Intercuts Involved on the other side. Ills function, he felt was essentially a Judicial one. He knew one side of the case, It was bis duty to hear the other, and Tandy was tho spokesman Of that other, Duncan's reception was most gra cious, and Nappor Tandy came at once to the subject In baud. "I'm, more than glad, Duncan,"' bo lylngly said, "that these financial peo ple bavs asked you to examine and re port upon this sdiome of extension, Yon are so heartily in sympathy with every enterprise that looks to tbe de velopment of our western country, and your Intelligence Is so superbly well Informed, that of course a project like this appeals to you." ' "It does not appeal to me at all, Mr. Tandy," aald Duncan frankly. "I do not think well of tho extension. It" "Pardon me for Interrupting," Inter posed Tandy In fear that Duncan might commit himself beyond recall against tbe scheme. "Pardon me for Interrupting, but you nmst see that tbe lied wood mines, In which, f under stand, you own 15 per cent" "I own 25 per cent, for I bavs put my savings Into tbat enterprise," an swered Duncan. "Well, ao much tbe bettor. You must sos that the lied wood mines, in which you own 28 per cent, will benefit as much aa the Queutln mines do by this extension of tbe railroad. It will give us two markets for our coal Instead of one. We can play one market against the other, you see, aud" "That Isn't tbe question that 1 am uiptoyed and paid to answer," Inter rupted Duncan. "You have other and vastly greater interests than those of tbe mines that would be served by the extension, of tbe railroad. But the financiers who art asked to put their money Into this project will be In no wise benefited either by the Increased earnings of your coal mine and ours or by the development of your other and far greater Interests that are de pendent upon this extension. Bo when they employ me to report upon the project 1 aw not free to consider any of those tilings, 1 must consider only their luteresta. I must ask myself whether or not It will 'pay' them to undertake tbla extension. I know that It will not I know that tho extended line cannot within a generation to come pay even operating expenses, to say nothing of Interest on tbe cost of construction. I am bound to set forth those facts In my report Tbey pay me to tell them what the facts are. Of course, I shall tell them truly. Other wise I should not bo an honest man. I should I a swindler, taking their mon ey as pay for deceiving them and In ducing them to undertake a loalng en terprise." "Oh, that's all right But you might be mistaken, you know. You've form ed a Judgment after a brief trip through the country. Tbat country teems poverty stricken just now, but that's Iters use It hasn't enjoyed tbe stimulating Influence of a railroad. It Is a better couutry than you think, aa I ran convince you if you'll let me take you through It In a carriage. We can tart at oncetomorrow morning-run out to the mines by rait and there take a carriage and drive through the coun try. I've ordered the carriage, with abundant supplies, from Chicago. I waut to show you tbe resources of the country. I'll convince you before we get bsck that the couutry will build up as soon as the railroad penetrates It and tbat there will be an abundant traffic for the road." "Pardon me," answered Duncan. Pve already been through tbat region. I've queationed every farmer aa to bla crops. I've questioned every merchant In every village aa to bis possible ship ments by the railroad and as to the amount of goods be hopes to sell If the railroad Is built Their replies are hopelessly discouraging. Taking their outaldo estimates aa certain, there can not be enough traffic over such a line for twenty years to come to pay operat ing expenses. In the meantime the men whom you are asking to build the road must lose not only the Interest on their Investment, but the investment Itself. I know all the facts that bear upon the case." "All but one," answered Tandy. "What is that oner "That a favorable report from you moans a check, right now and here, tonight, payable to 'bearer,' for $10, 000. My check Is supposed to be good for all It calls for. You can have It now, and It will be cashed tomorrow morning. Here It Is. Payable to bear er as It is, you needn't Indorse it and you noed not be known In the matter In any way. I'm talking 'buslnoss' now." ' Duncan scanned the face of his In terlocutor for an iuBtant Thon he rose from his scat and with utterance Choked by emotion managed to say; "I quite understand. You would bribe me with that check. You would hire me to betray tho confidence of the men who are paying me a very much mailer sum than $10,000. You pro pose to buy my Integrity, my honor, Jny soul. Very well. My Integrity,, my honor and my soul are not for sale at any price. I shall make an honest report In this matter. Good night sir! I am not such a scoundrel as you hoped I might bo." ' And with 1 that Guilford Duncan talked out of the houso, helping him lelf to his hat as he passed the rack la, the entry way. CHAPTER XVIII. 1 F Guilford Duncan had been a little more worldly wise than he wus he would have gone at once to Captain Will Hallam, He. would ba told thai ihredfJuf of 'sfMivd' men of tbe world all that had passed between him self and Tandy, and be would have asked Will Ilallam's advice as to what course to pursue. , ; Instead of that Guilford Duncan went at once to Barbara. He bad a need of sympathy rather than a need of advice, and be bad learned to look to Barbara, above all other people In the world, for sympathy. , He was still a good deal disturbed In bla emotions when Barbara greeted him on die little porch, and It was a rather confused account that he gave ber of what had happened. "I don't quite understand," said Bar bara at last "Perhaps If yon have a cup of tea you can make the matter clearer," and, without waiting for as sent or dissent she glided jnt to tbe kitchen, wbenco she presently returned bearing a fragrant cup of Oolong. "Now," she said after he had sipped the tea, "toll me again just what has happened. You were too much excited when you told mo before to tell me clearly." . -?. v "Well, It amounts to this," answered Duncan. "Tbat scoundrel Tandy" . "Stop!" aald Barbara In an authorita tive tone. "Never mind Tandy's char acter. If you go off on that you'll nev er make me understand." ... In spite of . bis agitation Duncan laughed. "How, you do order me about!" - - "Ob, pardon met" exclaimed tho girl In manifest alarm. "I didn't mean to do that I would never think of doing i aucb a thing. I only meant" "My dear. Miss Barbara, I fully un derstand. I need ordering about to night, and I heartily wish you would take me in hand." , "Oh, but I could never presume to do that!" "I don't see why," answered Dun can. "You are my good angel, and It Is the business of my good angel to regulate me and make me behave as I should." "But Mr. Duncan" "But Barbara"-lt wa the first time be bad ever addressed her by ber giv en name and without tbe "Miss" "you know I love you, or you ought to know It You know I want you to be my wife. Bay that you will and then I shall be free to tell you all my trou bles end to take your advice In all of them. Say that you love me, Barbara! Bay that you will marry me!" All tbla was In contravention of Guilford Duncan's carefully laid plans, as a declaration of love Is apt to be to lone as women are fascinating and men are human, ne bad Intended to put tbe thought of hia love for Bar bara Into ber unsuspecting mind by In genious "trick snd device." It bad been bis ptan presently to escort ber to church, to tbe concerts tbat now and then beld forth at the Athenaeum, to Mrs. nallam's for a game of croquet, to Mrs. Galagber's for the little dancet tbat that gracious gentlewoman gave now and then even In tbe beat of a southern Illinois summer. He bad even chartered a steamboat and plan Red to give a picnic In the Kentucky woodlands below Cairo, to wblcb he should escort Barbara. He bad thought In these waya to set the tongues of all the gossips wagging and thus to force upon Barbara the thought of his love for ber. All waa now spoiled, as be thought when he So precipitately declared bla love there In the vine clad porch. Barbara was obviously surprised. Duncan could not quite make out whether she was shocked or . not, whether his declaration of love pleased or distressed her, for she made no an swer whatever. Instead ahe nervously plucked honeysuckles and still more nervously let tbem fall from ber hands. Duncan waa atnnding now and In torture lest he bad spoiled all by his precipitancy, ne waited as patiently aa be could for the girl's answer, but It came not Her silence seemed om inous to blm. It seemed to mean tbat be waa shocked and offended by a declaration of love for which he had not In any wlso prepared her. But Duncan was a man of action. It waa not his habit to accept defeat without challenging It and demanding Its reasons. So presently be advanced, passed his arm around Barbara's waist B waited at patiently he could for ths oiri's answer. and gently caressed ber forehead, as a father or an older brother might have done. Bhe accepted the caress In that spirit, seemingly, and then she turned toward the ball door, saying: ' "Good night!" ' But Duncan waa not to be so baf fled. He had blundered upon a dec laration of love as most man do who really love and he did net Intend to to awa? without bla answer. ' f'Don'f say 'Good nlghf yet," ne pleaded, again passing bis arm around ber waist "Tell me first la it yes or no?' Will you be my wifer ' The girl turned and faced blm. There was tbat in ber eyes which be had nev er seen there before, and which be could not Interpret At last her lips parted, and ahe said: "I cannot tell yet. Yon mual; wait. ' And with1 tbat ahe slipped through the door, leaving bun no recourse but to take bis leave without other formal ity than the closing of tbe front gate. (To be continued.) '- Aa Kr Optr, Tbe Engaged Glri-I've always beard that love Is blind, ; Tbe Matron-Yes, but marriage la a great oculist-Translated For Tale From Let AnnaJet. ; It requires a great deal cf Mness and a great deal of caution to make a great fortune, and when you have got ;t it requires ten times as much wit to keep It-Kothschlld, Verr Well I44. "Why are lightning rods like wait ers?" . ' "Because tbey have to be well tip ped to make them give good service." Baltimore American. ' Bird Pandas. Young Ostriches Oh, auntie, reach us some of those lovely bananas I Punch, Aa CaeeaiBioa Traabl. Uewitt-My wife didn't know what to say to me. , , Jewett I never kuevmy wife to be troubled In that way. New York Press. Save al It! Elderly Spinster You know, doctor, Tm always thinking that a man Is fol lowing me. Do you think I suffer from hallucinations? Doctor Absolutely certain yon do, ma'am. 1 ' ' i$s 1 I ' ' if , wdl Y OUT me MORNING ASTORI AN OUR WEEKLY FASHION LETTER I A TIMELY REVIEW OF TBE LATEST WHAT IS WOrtN. Hatpin Ma Icli ilia Half Com ha Hew !daa la Stoeka Artlalle Baafflea. A new Idea In regard to hatpins Is to have tbem match the combs worn in the hair. Thew are of polished tor toise shell or amber, or, at any rate, of much lighter color than has been worn for some time. A pear shaped hatpin of amber with amber combs produces a very pretty effect whether tbe hair Is dark or lltfit. , A smart stock bits a long slot button hoi? borlzontaily across tbe lower edge in front. Through this Is drawn a short strip with kite shaped ends, practically forming the "tabs" which are sjwu ou mot stocks. Tbe ad vantage Is that It can be slipped either ono way or the other and knotted or pinned down as one likes in front. Collars with rounded corners em broidered lu dots and figures all over the collar are very new, Tbe long four-in-hands worn with them are In strong Scotch plaids or small black warn AXD BLACK rOOlABO ffSOCE. and white checks or in black. Many of these are narrow, though the newest are about two inches wide. Blue and violet linen turn back col lars and cuffs simply stitched are to be worn with linen suits. Tbe latest variation of the aun plait ed skirt Is very pretty and graceful. It Is circular in shape and fails in am ple folds and fullness from a plain yoke. The embroidered linen bat wltb a bow of ribbon for Its only trimming. Is used with tbe linen Jacket for street wear, but with more elaborate gowns of muslin or organdie a bat of sheer material In shadow work with flowers and ribbons should be donned. . Since tbe coming of the short sleeves apd the. rpprn of the bracelet the Wok I li? netei IS OUR FIELD, AND WE , COVER IT. Our field is the district tributary to the mouth of the Columbia River. We pene trate into all the outlying districts, into lumber camps and isolated neighborhoods. The business of these places belongs to you, and it is worth going after.. .Space in THE MORNING AST0RIAN is reason able; contract for some and let these out siders know that you are still in business at the old stand. Yo"U may have a "grouch" but that won't get business; forget it. Let the people know what you have to sell; they may "forget' or have "forgotten" THE ONLY PAPER ON THE LOWER COLIJIIBiA HAVING ASSOCIATED . PRESS SERVICE MODES (Special) By JUDIC CH0LLET, cflate abtf."he chatrainerbliyilave tak en a back seat My lady now spends ber money and her time looking for artistic bangle bracelets. The frock In the cut Is of white foulard with pin dots of black. Tbe skirt Is cut In two pieces, each ruffle trimmed with a bowknot design ef fected with German val lace Inser tion. Tbe bolero Jacket is similarly adorned and tied Just above the waist line with a green velvet bow. A line of tbe same velvet edges the V shaped n ... -. '.. '; ' FACTS AND FANCIES. A Saaalnr Belt Startlla Colara la Sfcoea Far (ha Saatmer Girl. , A belt of gun metal Is In a flower design, tbe center of each flower set with a Jewel. ; Honesty compels tbe statement tbat for women wltb feet like Cinderella' stepsisters the colored shoes of the; season are taboo. Most of these shoes Intended for day wear are In calf of a solid sbade. Sometimes there is a patent leather vamp with tbe colored top. Every woman who can afford It will bare a few pairs of colored shoes In ber wardrobe and, if she Is extrav agant, a pair to match each gown. Low tan shoes are much worn In the morning. The style differs only slight ly from those of last summer, but per haps there Is a greater fancy for rib- wjrxnt cHirroa blots bon ties and pumps. The smartest style has one eyelet on each aide through which Is tied a large ribbon bow. ,' . So ubiquitous has the duck skirt be come that we will soon be dubbed "a nation of deck skirts." A dozen wash white waists of varying weights and three or four duck skirts, together with a lightweight woolen suit and a dressy little silk gown, make up a very pre sentable summer outfit , , , White chiffon makes the blouse seen In tbe picture. The material is tucked all over. Arranged over the entire waist are geometric designs carried out In wblti clun.v insertion. In tbe openings are worked cobweb stitches In pale green silk. , - JUDIC CHOLLET.