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About Bandon recorder. (Bandon, Or.) 188?-1910 | View Entire Issue (Sept. 26, 1907)
THE LION AND THE MOUSE. By CHARLES KI EIN. J Sltry •/ J menean Lift Novelized From the Play by ARTHUR HORN BLOW. 1906. BY c. For the first time in bls life John Ry der was nonplused. He cotigbed and stammered and looked round for a place where he could throw his cigar. Shirley, who enjoyed his embarrass ment, put him at his ease "Oh. please go on smoking.” she said "I don't mind it in th<- least." Ryder threw the cigar Into a recepta de and looked closely at his visitor. "So you are Shirley Green, eh?” "That is my nom de plume yes,” re I plied the girl nervously. She was al character of John Broderick there was no doubt iiosslble. No matter how she might evade the identification, he was convinced he was the hero of her book. Why had she attacked him so bitterly? At first it is'i'urred to him that black mail might be her object. She might be going to ask for money as the price of future silence. Vet it needed but a glance at her refined and modest de meanor to dispel that idea as absurd. Then he remembered, too, that it was not she who had sought this Interview, but himself. No, she was no black mailer. More probably she was a dreamer—one of those meddling sociol ogists who, under pretense of lettering the conditions of the working classes, stir up disconteut and bitterness of feeling. As such she might prove more to be feared than a mere blackmailer whom he could buy off with money. He knew he was not popular, but be was no worse than the other captains of Industry. It was a cutthroat game at best. Competition was the soul of commercial life, and If he had outwit ted bls competitors and made bhnself richer than all of them be was not u criminal for that. But all these at- tacks In newsjiapers and tiooks «lid not do him any good. One day the people might take these demagogic writings seriously, and then there would be the ready wishing herself back at Massa pequa. The financier eyed heritor a i moment In silence as If trying to gauge the strength of the personality . of this audacious young woman, who I had dared to criticise his business [ methods In public print; then, waving her to a seat near his desk, he said: "Won’t you sit down?" "Tluink you,” murmured Shirley. She sat down, and he took his seat at the other side of the desk, which brought them face to face. Again inspecting the girl with a close scrutiny that made her cheeks burn. Ryder said: "I rather expected” He stopped for a moment ss If uncertain what to say; then lie added, “Vou’re younger than I thought you were, Miss Green; much younger.” “Time will remedy that,” smiled Shir devil to pay. He took up the book again ley. Then, mischievously, she added: tnd ran over the pages. This certain "I rather expected to see Mrs. Ryder.” ly was no ordinary girl. She knew 'There was the faintest suspicion of a more and bad a more direct way of »mile playing around the corners of saying tilings than any woman he had the plutocrat's mouth ns he picked up a ever met. And as he watched her book lying on his desk and replied: furtively across the desk he wondered "Yes, she wrote you, but I—wanted bow lie could use her—how instead of to see you about this." being his enemy he could make her his Shirley’s pulse throbbed faster, but friend. If he did not, she would go she tried hard to appear unconcerned f away aud write more such books, and a.s she answered: literature of this kind might become a “Oh, my book! Have you read it?” real peril to his interests. Money could “I have," replied Ryder slowly, and, do anything. It could secure the serv fixing her with a stare that was begin ices of this woman and prevent her do ning to make her uncomfortable, he ing further mischief. But how could went on: "No doubt your time Is val he employ her? Suddenly an inspira uable, so I’ll come right to the point. I tion came to him. For some years he I want to ask yon. Miss Green, where had been collecting material for a his you got the character of your central tory of the Empire Trading company. figure—the Octopus, as you call him— She could write It. It would practical John Broderick?’ ly be Ills own biography. Would she "From Imagination, of course,” an- undertake it? swered Shirley. Embarrassed by the long silence. Ryder opened the bool., and Shirley Shirley finally broke iu by saying: notice«! that then* were i ,‘veral pas- "But you didn’t ask me to call mere ■ageH marked. He turned the leaves ly to find out what I thought of my over in silence for a minute or two. own work.” and then he said: "No," replied Ryder slowly. "I want “You’ve sketched a pretty big man you to do some work for me.” here.” He opened a drawer at the lefthand “Yes,” assented Shirley; "lie has big side of bls desk aud took out several possibilities, but 1 think lie makes wry sheets of foolscap and a number of let small use of them." ters. Shirley’s heart lieat faster as Ryder appeared not to notice her she caught sight of the letters. Were commentary, and, still raiding the her father's among them? She book, he continued: wondered what kind of work John "On page 22 you call him ‘the world's Burkett Ryder had for her to do and greatest Individualized potentiality, a If she would do it whatever it was giant combination of materiality, men Some literary work probably, compil tality and money the greatest exem ing or something of that kind. If it plar of Individual human will In ex was well paid, why should she not istence today.* And you make indom accept? There would lie nothing hu itable will and energy the keystone of miliating in it; ft would not tie her his marvelous success. Am I right?” hands lu any way. She was a profes He looked at her questioningly. sional writer In the market to tie em "Quite right,” answer«! Shirley. ployed by whoever could pay the price. Ryder proceeded: Besides, such work might give her bet “On page 2B you Nay ’the machinery ter opportunities to secure the letters of his money making mind typifies the of which she was In search. Gather laws of perpetual unrest. It must go ing in one pile all the papers he had on relentlessly, rcslstlessly, ruthlessly removed from the drawer, Mr. Ryder making money, making money, and said: continuing to make money. It cannot “I want you to put iuy biography to stop until the machinery «rumbles.’” gether from this material. But first,” Laying the book down and turning he added, taking up "The American sharply on Shirley, lie asked her blunt Octopus,” “I want to know where you ly: got the details of this man’s life.” "Do you mean to say that I couldn't “Oh. for the most part—imagination, stop tomorrow if I wanted to?” newspapers, magazines," replied Shir She nffected to not understand him. ley carelessly. “You know the Amer "You?" she Inquired In a tone of sur ican millionaire is a very overworked prise. topic Just now—and naturally I’ve "Well, it’s a uatuial question," stam read”— mered Ryder, with a nervous little "Yes, I understand,” he said, "but I laugh. "Every man sees himself in refer to what you haven’t read—what lhe hero of a novel Just as every wo you couldn’t have read. For example. man s«*es herself in th«* heroine. We here.” He turned to a page marked are all heroes and heroines in our own tn the book and read aloud: “Asanevi- eyes. But tell me what's your private donee of his petty vanity, when a opinion of this man. You drew the youth he had a beautiful Indian girl character. What do you think of him tattooed Just above the forearm.' Ry- as a type how would you claasify der leaned eagerly forward as he asked him?” her searchingly, “Now who told you "As the greatest criminal the world that I had iny arm tattooed when I has yet produced,” replied Shirley was a boy?” without a moment's hesitation “Have you?” laughed Shirley nerv The financier looked at the girl in ously. "What a curicus coincidence!" unfeigned astonishment. •’Let me read you another coinci "Criminal?’ he echoed. dence,” Raid Ryder meaningly. He "Yes, criminal," repeated Shirley de turned to another part of the book and cisively. "He Is avarice, egotism and read, "the same eternal long black ambition incarnate. He loves money cigar always lietween his lips." ls*< ause he loves power, ami he loves "General Grant smoked, too,” lnter- power more than his fellow man." rupted Shirley. "All men who thlnk Ryder laugh«*d uneasily. Decidedly deeply along material lines seem to this girl had opinions of her own which smoke.” sh«* was not backward to express. "Well, we'll let that go. But how "Isn’t that rather strong?" he asked. about this?” He turned back a few "I don't think so.” rvplitsl Shirley. pages and read: "John Broderick had Then quickly she asked. "But what loved when a young man a girl who does it matter? No such man exists.” lived in Vermont, but circumstances "No. of course not.” sal«| Ryder, and separated them." He stopped and he relapsed Into silence. stared at Shirley a moment, and then Yet while h<* said nothing th«* pluto he said: “I loved a girl when I was crat was watching his visitor closely a lad and she came frem Vermont, and from under his thick eyebrows She circumstances ee pa rated us. That Isnt seemtsl supremely unconscious of his coincidence, for presently you make scrutiny. Her aristocratic, th-nightful John Broderick marry a young woman fact* gave n<> sign that any ulterior mo who had money. I married a girl with tive had actuated her evidently very money." hostile attitude against him. That he "Lots of men marry for money.' xv>s ill her Ijdn 1 jvheji Ip* drew the marked Shirley. “I saldjvlth mojjpy. not for money.” I 1 ret rtvd Ryder InM.'h.ruiM it fa taxa. ue Mid: ‘‘BoV. tkke !■ I can’t uiaientaol ft« ao oe» «red kava tuid you ft la but I aiyaaif. Ua> ten." Ha read ahjod " Wit* ail Ma l>hyai< al bravery and pereouai counga, John Broderick waa iurenaely afaaid of death. It was on hie mind con stantly.* Who told you that?’ lie demanded somewhat roughly. "1 MTear I've never mentioned It to a living •out” "Moat men who aiuasa money are afraid of death,” replied Shirley with outward composure, “for death Is ubout the only thing that can separate them from their money.” Ryder laughed. bnt it weu a hollow, mocking laugh, neither sincere nor hearty. It was a laugh such as the devil may have given when driven out of heaven. "You’re quite a character!” He I f Then«« tw>u<«a tor Augusf are nn* in <uai you can get them at i.ow< s Drug Store , Mrs. A. G. Hoyt wishes to Invite the Ladies of Bandon to call at her home and see her Fishermen, Attention! We have hats, before buying. a full line of oars. The best money can buy. See them at the Bandon Hardware Store, opposite the Post Office. LEWIN’S Meat ’ TRUTH > u r s n e L L Market mt *. *:■• I ul'.iiag there i J.... . ' * 5 Ct g . • .uf 1. U p? .t ready A'l Kinds oí «*.:.! .11 t. -.c by hx’id. • ¿ ' hji.’ iu gùOtl ti t. j¡ 1 *'»••«; k - i- ,t ” 1 1 1 • •* / L .u is laughed again, and Shirley, catching the Infection, laughed too. “It’s me and It isn’t me,” went on Ryder, flourishing the book. "This fellow Broderick is all right; he's suc cessful and he's great, but I don't like his finish." "It’s logical," ventured Shirley. Furnished at Living Prices. A share "It’s cruel,” insisted Ryder. of the Public Patronage “So is the man who reverses the di- vine law and bates his neighbor ln- Solicited stead of loving him,” retorted Shirley. She tqioke more tioldly, beginning to feel more sure of her ground, and It amused her to fence in this way with the man of millions. So far, she I thought, he had not got the best of her I She was fast becoming used to him, and her first feeling of Intimidation was passing away. “Um!” grunted Ryder. “You’re a curious girl. Upon my word you Inter- est me!” He took the mass of papers lying at his elbow and pushed them over to her. "Here,” he said, "I want yon to make as clever a book out of this chaos as you did out of your own Las a select stock of Imagination.” Shirley turned the papers over care MEAT'S and PROVISIONS / í Í 1 W/.V- • » If fl E. LEWIN Prop SOLD.BY Opera Bandon Hardware Co WINES, LIQUORS and CIGARS. lessly "Bo yon think your life Is a good ex- ample to follow?* she asked, with a tinge of irony. “Isn’t It?” he demanded. The girl looked him square In the face. "Suppose," she said, "we all wanted to follow it; suppose we all wanted to CouBTEots T reatment . be the richest, the most powerful per sonage In the world?’ < M l’OKK 1 I l'OM “Well, what then?” he demanded. * “I think it would postpone the era of the brotherhood of mau Indefinitely, B hikìou . Oregon. «don't you?” “I never thought of it from that point of view,” admitted the billolnalre. “Really," he added, “you’re an ex traordinary girl. Why, you can’t be more than twenty or so." ’•I’m twenty-four or so,*”smited Shir ley. Ryder’s face expanded In a broad smile. He admired this girl’s pluck and ready wit. He grew more amiable -AT- uud trie«! to gain her confidence. In a coaxing tone he said: “Come, where did you get those de tails? Take me Into your confidence.” BANDON “I have taken you Into my confi dence," laughed Shirley, pointing at her Nice denn rooms. 25 mid 50c a night : fl. 2ft book. "It cost you $1.50.” Turning n week ; $5.00 a month. over the papers he had put before her, she said presently, "I don’t know about MBS SXRAH COSTELLO. this.” “You don’t think my life would make good reading?’ he asked, with some asperity. "It might,” she replied slowly, as If unwilling to commit herself as to Its commercial or literary value. Then « she said frankly: “To tell you the hon est truth, I don't consider mere genius iu money making Is suiikdent provoca Fou Can’t Expect to Get tion for rushing into print. You see, Worth for fil, Bitt unless you come to a bad end. It W'ould (’an You Get Your have no moral." money ' s WORTH at Ignoring the not very Haltering In sinuation contained in this hast speech, the plut«M*rat continued to uqge her: "You can name your own price if you will do the work,” be saM "Two, three or even five thousand dollars. Healer in Hootm and Shoe* It’s only a few months’ work.” i Kepairing neatly and promptly done nt [Continued next week.) lowest living prices. Furnished Rooms Opposite Post Office. NEED A NEW STOVE? I. Hridg«* A Bench Ntoveo, Knnges and Heatero Have in them so many excellencies that they are now acknowledged the greatent aellera on the coast, and they are growing in favor every year. We have the exclusive agency in Bandon fot these household anti office necessities, and prices range exceedingly modest in either case Our assortment of hardware, tinware and edged tools is most complete. Tinning1 & Plumbing a. Specialty A. M c N air , T he H ardware M an . The Pacific 1 IOOTN Ml IOK^ M. BREUER’S HOTEL GALLIER Rates $1.00 to $2.00 per Day SPECIAL RATES BY THE WEEK OR MONTH. SAMPLE ROOM IN CONNECTION. BANDON OREGON Gasoline - Steam, Pumping. Irrigation and Lighting Machinery. Fairbanks-Morse Gasoline Engines for Spraying, Pumping. Sawing, Grinding Outfits complete. Fairbanks More** Steam Engines, Pomps, Boilers Fairbanks Seales for weigh mg. Fairbanks-Morse Dynamos and Motors, for power and light; \\ indtnills and Towers; Grinders. Feed Choppers, Well Pumps. All first quality goods at lowest prices. Always in stock. Liberal terms. Prompt reply to ioqoiries ami quick shipment Write for Catalogues and Prices, Fairbanks - Morse & Co, Portland. Oregon. PORTORFORD For Sale at lhe Shingle Mill All orders filled promptly iu mill. AND B uster D rown ' s H eart 13 to THEBU u TER brown RIBDON HOE ANU ALSO BUSTER We pay highcbt pii 'e paid for Red Cedar Logs aud BIG AND STOUT, E specially so when _ jAii.S 15 ABOUT, rORSHUG LKLSSED IN BLUE AND HER HEART 13 TRUE OIL e RED CEDAR SH INGLES Bolts J. E. Young & Co WITH A BiO BANK of BANDON, BANDON, BUSItRS OREGON Capital $25,000.00 BOARD OF DIRECTORS; J. L. K sonsnbsbo . President, J D bmholm , Vine Pres F. J. F ast , Cashier, F bank F lam , T. P. H anlt . A general banking business transacted, and cnatorners given every accotumodatiou consistent with as'e and conservative hanking. Correspondents: The American National Bank of 8an Francisco, California. Merchant«’ National Bank, Portland, Oregon. The Chaae National Bank of New York. Hank I» Open from » e ». lo I» ■ . »•< 1 p m t 3 p.ui.