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About The gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1912-1925 | View Entire Issue (July 2, 1914)
HOME AND FARM MAGAZINE SECTION Fate and Cousin Phineas . By Leonard A. Hartman. JULIAN'S uncle, Tobias Bowland, was a man of considerable fortune. But, as the Sunday school papers of ten tell us, money alone does not make happiness. Although Unclj Tobias was rated by Messieurs Bradstreet and Dun as being A No. 1, financially speaking, he was sour, cantankerous, and, discon tented. He never married. Instantly, married readers will, I presume, rise to declare that he should have taken unto himself a wife. During his later years, old Tobias tame to be of this opinion himself. "Every man," he declared to Julian, "ought to marry." He had this declaration in mind when lie made his will, about a year before he died. His nephew was to inherit the es tate in case he married within one year of his uncle's death. In the event of the marriage not taking place, a distant eousin, Phineas Parker, would receive the legacy. In due time and according to the course of human events, Uncle Tobias died, leaving his money and his will behind. When Julian learned of the marriage clause in the will, he was surprised, but not downcast, for he already contem plated marrying; he was sure Miss May Ivins that was the young lady's name would not object to the taking place of the ceremony within the year. May most emphatically did not. Julian seem ed about to gain a wife and a fortune. Cousin Phinaes, the next in succession, was elated. He had not expected a sou and now was, possibly, in a fair way to gain the wholo estate. Cousin Phineas, being by way of profession a money lender, was neither very poor nor very honest. He resolved to trust in Fate and to wait watchfully. In truth, Fate did seem to smile upon him. Three times the wedding day was set and as many times was it postponed. In June, the bride's mother became sud denly ill; in September, an unexpected rain washed out the railway and kept several important guests away. The wedding was put off until Thanksgiving. Two days before the chosen date, the colored maid developed a case of scarlet fever and the entire family, including the bride, was quarantined. Naturally, the wedding festivities were interrupted. The quarantine was removed on Friday, the 22nd of December. The year of grace ended at midnight of the 24th. Unless Julian were married by that hour, he would forfeit the fortune to the heir presumptive, Mr. Phineas Parker. Accordingly, Sunday noon was decided on as the day and the hour. Julian would have preferred to have a larger margin of time but, though the wedding was to be a quiet home one, Mrs. Ivins declared she must have a day in which to prepare. "A wedding is a solemn event. Sun day will hallow and digniiy it," she Mid to Julian. He was forced to acquiesce. Phineas had fully acquainted himself with all these details. Although he was apparently about to lose a fortune, he resolved to trust in Fate. Saturday morning being dreary and chilly, few persons entered his money lending office. It was a gloomy place, with dirty windows and dusty corners. Phineas sat before his desk. On his sal low face was a complacent expression. Frequently a hard smilo creased his leathery cheeks. He was thinking of the Rowland fortune. The marriage had been postponed so many times that it really seemed as if Fate was intervening and1 Suddenly Phineas sat up straight. He reached for the desk telephone. "Is this the Edmont apartments! I would like to speak with Julian Bow land." Julian was a little surprised to receive a call from the money-lender and still more surprised when that worthy smoothly asked him to call at his office about 5 o'clock to receive a little wed ding gift. At four, Julian had a most important engagement; in compnny with May he was going to the courthouse for a mar riage license. However, he felt quite benevolent and he resolved to let the chauffeur drive1 May home while he should go directly from the court house to visit Cousin Phineas. Thus, Fate once more came to the aid of Cousin Phineas. Getting a marriago license for the first time at least is usually considered ts be a confusing situation, Julian ac complished the operation as successfully as most novices do. While he was con summating this annoying, but necessary matter of red-tape, May waited for him in the motor ear. Thin followed that other inevitable forerunner of a wedding the engaging of a minister. "Let me see the license, Julian; I will look at it while you are at the minister's," said May with a faint blush. He handed her the document: it was in a long manila envelope with the words "Marriage License Bureau," printed in large black type across the front. "I shall be gone only a minute," and he ran up the steps to the Eev. Mr. Newton's front door. Dr. Newton, who was a social fav orite, was engaged. It was some time, therefore, before Julian came out. May said she had not-become impatient, for after she had finished reading the li cense an Italian with a very squeaky organ and a sadly agile monkey had taken his stand on the corner, to. the great delight of thousands so it seemed of children. The distance to Phineas 's office was short. Here, Julian left May. Not until he was getting out of the auto mobile, did Julian think of the marriage license, emblem of the law's majestic power. May handed it to him and he stuck it carelessly in the. outer pocket of his overcoat. The glaring letters pro claimed its contents to all the world. He did not mind; like all bridegrooms he wanted everyone to know he was going to be married. rhineas came out of his inner office to greet Julian. "I have a caller, but he will detain me only a few minutes. Have a chair. I'll be with you soon." Then he retired to his office, and Julian could hear the mumble of voices. The temperature of the room in which he fat was tropic. The old fashioned hard coal burner shone red hot, and not a window was open. Julian felt the beads of sweat on his face. He went to the window, and raised it and took off his overcoat. Thero was no coat rack, so he threw it over the back of a chair. The long envelope stuck out conspicuously from the side pocket. Phineas lingered yet to favor him. his overcoat pocket. He glanced at his watch. The hands pointed to 5:30. The court house closed at !, and would not be opened till 10 o'clock Monday morning. To win the legacy, Julian must be married by midnight of Sun day. If by any chance the license should be lost, another could not be got before Monday, and Phineas jumped from his chair. Fate clearly pointed the way. He walked resolutely into the outer offieo. The overcoat still lay on the chair. "Oh, Julian," he cried, "come back into the office. I went to show yon some little trifles I bought this morn ing." From a drawer in his desk Phineas took three tiny boxes. In each sparkled daintily a diamond scarf pin. "Choose the one you like best and accept it as a wedding gift from me," he said munificently. Julian took the boxes a little fatu ously. Ho was astounded by such un usual generosity. At that moment the telephone bell in tho other room rang. Fate was surely aiding Phineas. "Pardon me a moment," and he left Julian to admire the gleaming pins. It took but a second to dispose of the telephone. "I am busy, call me later," he cried in tho mouthpiece; in his haste the words fairly leaped over each other. Then he swiftly tiptoed across to Julian's coat and drew out the en velope. In another instant he had placed it in the great safe, pushed the heavy door shut and set the time-lock. Jniian had chosen one of the pins when his cousin rejoined him. "I hope you like it." "Indeed I do; I shall always remem ber your kindness." Phineas led tho way back into the outer office and graciously assisted the visitor into his coat. Julian, dazzled by the brilliant gift, entirely overlooked the fact that his license was gone. When his guest had departed, Phineas sat down at his desk, lit a cigar and chuckled. Then ho laughed, long and softly. Byand by some ouce came up tho stairs, two steps at a time. The door was flung open aud Julian dabbed in. He was panting and his face was red with running. Ho was very much excited. "I have lost my marriage lieense," he cried. "I must have left it here. I hadn't gone a block when I missed it. It must be here." "What does it look liket" asked Phineas slowly. "It was on a long Manila envelope in my outside pocket," Julian ex plained. Phineas threw back his head and slowly blew out a great cloud of smoke. "Why, yes, I did see such an en velope." Ho paused to flick the ashes from his cigar. "I was sure it must bold some im portant document, so I put it in my sale that no harm might come to it." "Oh, then I can get it," said Julian, and he breathed a sigh of relief. "No, I'm afraid you can't. The time-lock is set for Monday morning. No power short of dynamiting the building can open that door before then," answered Phineas coolly. The room had grown dark, but not too dark to prevent Phineas seeing Julian go white as death. He stood there silent, motionless. Finally he spoke. His voico was harsh and tired. "That means," he said, "that I shall be peni-ilcss." Phineas said nothing. He merely smiled. Suddenly the boy spoke, and his eyes lit up, "I don't care if I am a pauper, so long as I have May." "It is not likely that she will care tc marry you, now that you've lost your money," and Phineas laughed merrily. "That isn't true. You know it's me she cares for not the money," ex claimed Julian. Phineas drummed idly with his fin gers on his desk. He was becoming bored. "Perhaps," he murmured indiffer jently. Julian said no more, but turned and I went out. Phineas sat in the darkness for a long time. He did not kcow how long; for he was absorbed in pleasant scheming?. The ringing of the 'phone at his elbow brought him out of his reverie. "Hello.'' "This is Julian," came the voice on the wire. "Humph." "Cousin Phineas, the marriage 11 cense is not in your safe. May had it in her handbag. She put it there this afternoon while I was at thv minister's, for she was afraid I w.uld lose it. But in watching an Italian organ grinder and his monkey, sho foigot all about the licence and gav; nu the empty en velope. We should be delighted lo sie you at the wed " Phineas let the. receiver drop. "Well, I'll be" but why go into details f Fate had tricked Cousin rhineas. American cotton mills h&ve been ordered to burn all cotton seed in Egyptian cotton, for fear of the pink boll weevil. OPPORTUNITY! Here is an usual opportunity for .you to make an in vestment. Do you want to make big profits? Sure! You Avant t oplaee your savings in a good invest- incut where you can also make a big profit. We Offer you a Winner! WE HAVE A DEVELOPED GOLD MINE, NOT A PROSPECT THAT WE WANT TO PROVE UP, BUT A PROVEN MINE. THE OFFICERS OF THE COMPANY DO NOT DRAW AND WILL NOT DRAW ANY SALARIES OR COMMISSIONS. The California Con solidated Mines Company is incorporated in Oregon. ITS BUSINESS AND MINE HAVE BEEN EXAMINED BY CORPORATION DEPART MENT OF OREGON UNDER BLUE SKY LAW AND LICENSE GRANTED. All our statements can be verified. Don't wait, INVEST NOW. Call on us or write for descriptive matter. DO IT NOW1 The California Consolidated Mines Co. 63 Sixth Street, Portland. H. W. MANNING, President. The California Consolidated Mines Co., 03 Sixth Street, Portland, Oregon. GENTLEMEN: Plcaso send complete information about your mines. MAINTAIN SALOON, MNSTtR URGES Keep liquor Establishment. TJrrtfl Bob. ttttote Is Found, Says er. Carl Knofl. VICE SEGREGATION IS BEST Eev. 0. F. W. Stoever of Tacoma Speaks Before Lutheran Synod on Social Evil Conditions. Bellingham, Jnne 18. Ministers of Evangelical Lutheran chirches of the Paeific Synod engaged in a lively de bate this afternoon in one of the ses sions of the 14th annual convention of the synod now in progress here. An address on "The Relation of the Pol pit to the Evils of the Day,'' delivered by the Bev. D. J. Q. Westheim of Victoria, B. C, occasioned the discussion, which at times became animated. The Victoria mjbiater touched on the saloon question and the social evil and his views were subjected to comment by the different pastors present. Stoever Advocates Segregation. "The social vice evil is something we must contend with," said Rev. C F. W. Stoever of Tacoma, who was a candi date for mayor in a recent election, "and it is by a segregated district that this evil may be best regulated." Others differed in this view, while the matter of the doing away with saloons received vigorous attention, Bev. Carl Knoll of Chehalis declaring that the saloons should be permitted to exist until some thing could be offered in their place. Officers of the synod were elected at this morning's session as follows: Prcsi- ' dent, Bev. M. E. Bonlton, The Dalles, Oregon; secretary, Bev. Emil Meyer, San. Jose, California; treasurer, Bev. F. S. Pagclcr, and statistician, Bev. Frank lin Busaant of Bellingham. Tonight's meeting was turned over to the Women's Homo and Foreign Mis sionary Societies. Mrs. J. U. Harpstcr and Miss Emile L. Weisiotten, mis sionaries from India, addressed the meeting. The Tacoma Daily Ledger, June 19th, 191-1. (Paid Advertisement.) HOTEL ACKLY Corner Twelfth and Stark Streets Portland, Oregon. RATES: $2.50 P week up. With pri veto both, $4.50 up. CLKAN OUTSIDE ROOMS. MODERN BRICK BUILDING. SACKS I SACKS! 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