Evening Star Newspaper, May 10, 1925, Page 73

T THE DOUBLES BY J. J. BELL. A Little Matter of a Valuable Gem and Some Crooks. & OW will you have it sir?” asked the bank cashier blandly, laying the check for £1,357 13s. 4d. on his desk, and bringing to vlew sundry fat bundles of notes. “A thousand in hundreds, three hun- dred in tens, and the rest——"" It was here that Mr. Francis Groten, the payee, awoke from a dream vivid as it was beautiful—awoke to facts unlovely as they were painful. For & merciful moment or two, per- haps, he continued to see the heli- trope-tinted check with its signature “R. Roland.” (Dreams are sometimes curiously precise in details.) But soon, too soon, he became miserably con- scloas of two facts: First, that his head ached; second, that he did not possess even thirteen-and-four pence in the whole wide world. Shielding his eyes from the morning glare, he feit for his watch with the other hand. It was not under his pillow, and groaning, he rose to seek 1t in his walstcoat, which he observed on the floor at the other end of the room. His watch, however, had stopped. He was about to return to bed when the clock on a nelghboring church boomed 10. That was no rea- son why he should have started to look for his socks, for he had no ap- Ppointment to keep, nor was he more eager than usual this morning to seek employment. Nevertheless, he deemed it expedient to dress without delay: for if he returned to bed, he would surely sleep for hours, and just at present he could not afford to risk annoying the landlord of the seedy little temperance hotel wherein he tad made his lodging during the past three months. “I must have been bad last night,” he sighed to himself, as he picked the socks from the fireplace, “and yet I don’t remember taking much. Oh, Lord, but I do feel cheap! And not @ drop of water left!” A curt knock fell on the door. *Past 10 o'clock,” said a gruff voice. ‘With one sock on, Mr. Groten flew to the door and opened it. *John,” he sald humbly, “I don't want shav- ing water this morning, but I wish you'd bring me a cup of strong tea, like a good chap.” The boots hesi- tated, then answered sulkily enough, “All right,” and departed. Groaning, the unhonored guest donned his second sock. “I'll simply have to clear out today,” he reflected. “How I'm to get my togs away, deuce only knows. I've been broke before, but never so hopelessly as this. Less than 10 bob all told. He pressed his hands to his wretched forehead, and perhaps Heaven heard his bitter regrets for a misspent vouth and ig- nored his speculations concerning the possibility of borrowing a ‘“quid” somewhere. Grunting a curse, he roused him- self and picked up his trousers—the wrong way. For a long breath’s space it seemed 85 though he were dreaming again. With the sweetest and discreetest of tinklings a little shower of gold fell upon the threadbare carpet. Then, with a gasp, he was on his knees, clutching at the coins. There were exactly 10 sovereigns. He rose un- steadily, regarding them in his hand. “Qold! How on earth— _His hand shut suddenly. The door opened and the boots entered with the tea. “Er—John,” said Mr. Groten nerv- ously, stooping for his trousers, “was 1 2 trifle tiddley last night?” “You was,” stiffly replied the boots. ;Sdogd thing the boss had gone to Smiling feebly, Mr. Groten softly slipped the gold into one of the trous- ers pockets. “Wait a bit, John.” From the other pocket he brought a florin. “There you are, John,” he said with attempt at lightness, presenting it. “And by the way, John, you might ask Mr. Griffiths to have my bill to date ready when I come downstairs.” Here he got into his trousers. * ok % * 'OHN'S breath was taken away; his thanks were inaudible. But at the door he managed to say, “Your Highness deigns to remem- ber me? Good!” The visitor took the only chair. From his vest pocket he brought a small phial and placed it on the dressing table. ‘Permit me to offer your Highness a couple of these tabloids,” he said, and, pro- ducing a silver case, selected and lit a cigarette. Mr. Groten, looking and feeling dazed, sat down again on the bed. “Did 1 expect you?” he inquired at last. “According to an sypointment made last night,” amiabiy returned the visi- tor. ‘Possibly your Highness. 2> ““Oh, chuck {t!" muttered Groten. “I never felt lower.” “Well,” sald the other, good-na- turedly, “the title is perhaps a little premature. Nevertheless, it is pro- phetic, I think. May I refresh your memory regarding .last night, Mr. Groten?" “I wish you would. It's the only refreshment I'm likely to have this morning. Sorry I can't offer you anything.” . “Thanks. It's too early. But first take a couple.” The man who had called himself Ro.an. tossed the phial upon the bed. “Now I may remind you that my friend and I had the pleasure of making your acquaintance in the Blue Dragon——"" “I don't seem to remember your friend.” “I hardly supposed you would. He didn’t say much. You and I carried on most of the conversation. You may recollect telling us that you once thought of going on the stage, Mr. Groten?” “Did I?" muttered Groten, swal- lowing two tabloids. “I've thought of doing lots of thi: he added Dbit- terly. Roland. “Then you were good enough to favor us with some imitations of English as spoken by foreigners.” “I must have been bad,” sighed Groten, pressing his temples. “The imitations were excellent—es. pecially that of the Itallan. You are aware that Prince Lorenzo is in town at present.” “Is he?” murmured Groten, wishing the visitor would go and leave him to his physical misery and his 10 pounds. ‘“‘Never heard of Prince Lo- renzo,” he added wearily. “Pray give me your attention for a brief space,” sald the visitor mildly. “Iam about to offer you an easy op- portunity of earning a thousand pounds.” Groten started. A thou- sand—-" “Hush! You will excite yourself. Pray listen.” Mr. Rowland drew a deep inhalation, expelled the fragrant smoke, and continued: “You have doubtless heard of Sir Benjamin Gar- net, the financier? Of course you have! Well, Sir Benjamin—or it may be Lady Garnet—is giving a garden party, the day after tomorrow, and Prince Lorenzo will be the guest of the afternoon. Lorenzo is not a royal prince, but he is ‘some pump- kins,’ as they used to say in America, in his own little State. And he is quite crazy on precious stones. Un- fortunately he is not wealthy enough to buy the best. On the other hand, “What! The headache was cer- * K k¥ “GOOD! But Sir Benjamin is not devoted to precious stones as’ precious stones, though he knows and appreciates their value. What Sir Benjamin desires most of all at pres- ent is a number of concessions—for electric trams, among other things— which the prince has power to grant or negotiate. So, at the garden party, Sir Benjamin intends—with his well- known ostentation and bumptiousness —to beg the prince’s acceptance of a remarkably fine diamond, recently brought from South Africa, and pur- chased by him for a hundred thousand pounds. In return for the diamond Sir Benjamin will get the concessions der breakfast, Mr. Groten wonted tone of respect. Mr. Groten ehook his head and, as soon as the door closed, took it between his hands ::t,i seated himself on the edge of the ‘What on earth had he been doing the previous night? He had spent some hours, he knew, in a certain subterranean saloon bar, but that was no unusual occurrence. He had spoken and drunk with strangers, but that also was a common happening. Had he been gambling? He rose and drank some of the tea. It seemed to clear his brain a little. No; he was sure he had not played any game of chance. Then whence came those 10 sovereigns? He took them out and examined them. Sov- He finished the tea. Now he began to remember things. He remembered, for instance, a face— a dark, keen, clever face, and it was somehow connected with the check bhe had dreamed about. In what way? Why, the name on the check was the name of the owner of the face— “Roland”—the man he had met in the bar had sald that was his name. But what connection- A tap, and the door was thrown “The gentleman you was ex- Mr. Groten,” said the sub- dued voice of the boots. The person who entered closed the door carefully, ere he turned with a smile to the hirer of the room. “Good morning, your Highness,” he sald softly. “And how is the head of your Highness this morning?"” “Mr. Roland!” stammered Groten, getting up. worth to him about five millions. Is all that clear?"” ‘Quite,” said Groten, sitting up. “But I dont see what all that has to do with me.” “You'll see in a moment,” the other replied, lighting a fresh cigarette form the stump of the exhausted one. “Now listen carefully. Prince Lo- renzo will be prevented from attending the garden party, and you will go in his place and graciously accept the diamond. On handing it over to me you shall receive the sum of a thou- m(nd pounds—in sovereigns, if you . “Stop, stop!” ‘Haven't 1 Yes; but—"" “You need money, don’t you?" “The devil knows I do! But this—"" “Ah!” exclaimed the visitor, laugh- ing, “I_have omitted an important point. You are, of course, unaware that you resemble the prince in a re- markable fashion—" “Eh? “With a little darkening you will be his living image. Now you see why you have been chosen to—"" “You—you want me to sneak de myself plain?” the ot so loud, please. I merely wish you to take charge of the stone for, say, 90 minutes, and receive a thousand pounds for your trouble, Mr. Groten. And your trouble will be slight. Everything shall be nicely ar- ranged.” Groten got up._ “You have come to the wrong shop, Mr. Roland,” he said. “I don't steal.” “Don’'t you?” Roland laughed gently. WHO SANK SLOWLY BACK TO FOR A POLICE OFFICER?" “You'll feel better presently,” said|h, “Last night, just after you had gone, my friend missed his purse. It con- tained ten sovereigns.” Groten drew in his breath. “My friend,” continued the other, “has rather a queer habit with regard to sovereigns. Every one he puts in his purse he marks with a tiny cross to the left of the date.” The speaker paused, gazing calmly at Groten, who sank slowly back to his seat on the bed. “Shall I ring the bell?" “What for?” whispered Groten. “Eventually—for a police office! ¢ e e "THERE was a pause during which the visitor lightly fiicked the ash from his cigarette and stroked his moustache. “You—you would accuse me of steal- ing your friend's purse?”’ burst from the man on the bed. “You have his gold, reply. }l‘s‘ a trick!" t is my trick, anyway,” said Ro- land placidly. “'Come, my frien went on, “be sensible. Drop this as- sumed air of virtuous indignation. It is possibly true that you have never yet actually stolen money—though in this case the circumstances are all against you; but I happen to know that you have frequently borrowed money without any intention of re- paying that you have gambled sometimes crookedly; and that you have been concerned in a good many transactions which could be vulgarly but correctly described as fishy. You have, in fact, been lving by your wits for years, and you are now at the end of them. Is it not so?" Groten opened his mouth to speak, but changed his mind and kept a sullen silence. This keen-faced man knew the truth. What did it matter ow he had come to know it? 'With a thousand pounds, you could make a fresh start, Mr. Groten. You must be tired of the seamy side. Take a minute to think it over.” He rose, and opened the window. A little fresh afr, if you don’t mind,” he re- marked, looking down on the dingy street. “I observe my friend lingering at the corner, but I trust his testi- mony will not be required.” Groten’s head was clearing. A thousand pounds! Today he had noth- ing belonging to him save those 10 incriminating sovereigns. And even supposing he could prove them law- fully his, how long would they last; where should he find more when they were spent? Truly, as the man Ro- land had &aid, he was at the end of his wits. A thousand pounds—and a fresh start! That was worth some risk. He would buy a hatful of those tin-mining shares he knew about, and make the thousand ten thousand. Even at this crisis in his career, it did not oceur to Mr. Francis Groten to seek for honest work. He had been a loafer too long. He looked up furtively at the other's back. “You seem to have me on toast,” he said, with a feeble cackle. Roland turned with his pleasant smile. ow that you admit so much, I may tell you that we do not desire to take any mean advantage. Per- sonally, I desire to avoid extremes. Give me those ten sovereigns, and we'll let the whole matter drop.” He had studied his man to some purpose, had Mr. Roland. Groten gaped. This was unex- pected. Give up all he had in.the world! For an instant he saw him- was the cool self laying information before the po- lice. But what reward, if any, would the police give him? Besides he shrank from_any contact with the authorities. He moistened his lips. “You said the stone was worth a hundred thousand,” he sald tenta- tively. “That is the sum Sir Benjamin paid for it. Of course, we—the little syndi- cate interested—will have to be con- tent with very much less, while pre- liminary expenses are heavy. I may advise you at once, Mr. Groten, not to trouble” to think of mere than the thousand pounds offered you. It is a generous recompense for all that is asked of you." After a pause; ‘“You afemsking me to trust you,” said Grotenx “And we are trusting you other returned. 'hough I may say,"” he added frankly, “that there will nof be the remotest chance of your escap- ing with the diamond. On the other hand, we undertake to give the money in direct exchange for the stone, “And no interference afterward?” “It is highly improbable that we shall meet again, Mr. Groten.” The contemptuous note went unobserved by the nervous creature on the bed. ‘ome,’ sald Roland smartly, “which is it to be? A fresh start or—" He broke off seeing the answer—the an- gwer he had expected—on the other’s ace. 'What do you wish me to do?” asked Groten weakly, “‘Get dressed, settle your bill here, and come with me. Your part will not be difficult, but you must learn it thoroughly. Until the hour arrives for you to play it, you will have the company of either my friend or my- self. Make haste!”’ * k ok % PRL\'CE Lorenzo’s visit to this coun- try was without the slightest po- litical significance. It was, in fact, of no significance to any one save Sir Benjamin Garnet, his wife and fami- ly, and the prince himself. The prince had not made the journey in order to meet S8ir Garnet, but simply with a view to @ little private diversion. A good-natured bachelor, still under 40, he had scraped together a few thousands to spend in London. His retinue consisted merely of a P, Y e e e TR HIS SEAT ON | 1 “WHICH DO YOU PREFER—200 POUNDS OR PENAL SERVITUDE?” ‘ Sl " | B e e = B \ = valet and a chauffeur, and he had engaged a modest suite at the Savoy. He would never have accepted the invitation to the garden party hut for the great diamond's sake, ile' could | not resist a fine gem. The references to himself, the forthcoming party and the diamond, peared in certain journals, noyed him. He wished that t| of the business transaction could have | been eflected privatel. Sir Benjamin, however, was bent on adding a social splash to his man successful financial plunges. prince’s name always looks well in connection with one’s own, and Sir Benjamin enjoyed the soapy para- graphs as much as Lorenzo loathed them. Which is not to say that Sir Benjamin forgot for one moment about the concessions. On the con- trary, he often wondered how much he might venture to ask of the prince whom, at a brief interview, two yeans ago, he had summed up as a thor- oughly unbusinesslike younz man. As for Lady Garnet and her two daughters, they were all excitement, and prayed continually for fine ‘weather. Their prayers were granted, for a loveller day for a garden party than this Thursday never dawned. The prince had ordered his Daimler to be in attendance at 3 o'clock, his destination being well out in Surrey. It was 3:30, however, before he came down to the hotel courtyard. He looked debonair and pleased with him- self, until a strange chauffeur saluted him, saying “Pardon, your highness, but Carlos has been taken ill suddenly—not se- riously—but he cannot drive today. Have 1, his friend, perniission to drive your highness?” The slight frown passed from the prince’s countenance. ‘““You know the way?” he inquired pleasantly. His English, though good, was spoken with a decided accent. “Carlos himself has instructed me fully, your highness. He sent fo me when he found he could not drive.’ know the way, you said the prince, adding, with a good-natured laugh, “This is what I get for allowing Car- los a night off.” A moment later the car glided out of the courtyard. As it did so, the frown returned to Lorenzo's face, but it was & frown of thought rather than annoyance Putting his lips to the speaking tube, he said: “Go first to Boare's Bank in the Fleet street. I must get some money. He lay back on the cushions and, put- ting his hand into the inner pocket of his frock coat, smiled once more. P A LARGE crowd, chiefly composed of wealthy nobodies, had been invited to meet—or, to be strictly ac- curate, behold the prince. It was re- served for a score or so of Sir Benja- min’s particular friends to be pre- sented to his highness. His highness arrived at 4:30, which was quite as early as he had been expected. On the whole, his appear- ance was in his favor, and the com- ments were generally kindly. A few individuals were heard to remark that he looked as if he had been going the pace recently, but most of the hearers retorted with words to the effect that going the pace was no more than a princely privilege. To_those who were introduced to him his highness was quietly affable and gracious. It is true that he said little, but the ladies admired his ac- cent, and the men agreed that there ‘was ‘‘no beastly side about the chap.”” He confessed privately to his host that he was not feeling very well, and regretted his stay must be short. Af, the same time, he whispered that the desired concession would be duly granted. He was too tired to discuss details there and then, but Sir Ben- jamin might rest assured as to his readiness to complete the business with } all the generosity and speed at his command. < “Then, your highness,” said Sir Benjamin, beaming, “I1 may take it that you are quite satisfied with—er— what I did this mornipg. “Certainly,” was the reply, after the | slightest of pauses. “I thought it was the best and safest way,” said Sir Benjamin. ‘ndoubtedly.” “If you will allow me to mention it, your highness, you find our language even easier than you did two years mDo you think so? It may be that I speak it a little better, Sir Ben- jamin. How hot the sun shines on your splendid lawn!” ‘‘Ah, 80 your highness feels our Eng- lish sun! Yes; it is somewhat op- pressive. May I invite your highness to step indoors for a while? There is a little ceremony, of which your high- ness is aware, which might well be performed now, if your highness is agreeable.” Sir Benjamin smiled meaningly. ’ The distinguished guest bowed, the perspiration exuding from his sallow countenance. With a murmured word of assent he turned to accompany his host toward the house. The affair ‘was nicely stage managed. At a slight signal from Sir Benjamin Lady Garnet and those of the company who 5 under- the signal followed in the wake of the twain, who conversed in lowered voices. ] * x k% Er= 1m:¢' \the spacious library of the great house was uncomfortabl: crowded. 4 table a commissionaire stood at’ at- tention. Close to the table a chair was pro- vided for his highness. His highness was pleased, in more than one sense, to be seated. Some of the guests thought he was going to be ll. But now Sir Benjamin, at the supreme mo- ment of his life, saw nothing he did not wish to see. His pompous cough was repeated several times, and then he proceeded to deliver his short but carefully prepared speech. “Ladies and gentlemen, I am sure U need not attempt to tell his high ness, Prince Lorenzo, how deeply hon ored we are by his presence today. Why my poor house should have been singled “out for his_highness’ favor I cannot conceive. When I had the honor of being presented to his high ness at Mentone, two years ago, 1 little thought that on a future day I should have the vrivilege and-grati. fication of offering his highness hos- pitality and entertainment. But the happy day—the happiest day of my life—is here, and I cannot let it pass away without some little expression of welcome in the presence of my friends, who share in my delight and satisfaction. And I am sure I speak for every one here when I express the hope that this gracious visit of Prince Lorenzo's, though in a sense of a private nature, may yet further cement the cordial friendship that already exists between our beloved | ountry and the ancient and important state over which his highness holds sway.” Sir Benjamin walted until the ap- plause had spent itself. “Ladles and gentlemen,” he re- sumed, “a few words more and I have done. " Prince Lorenzo has come and we have done what we could to make him welcome. And ere Prince Lo- renzo departs—I trust he may nof have to leave us yet awhile—I would like to offer his highness a trifiing souvenir of his visit.” Here Sir Benjamin turned to his guest. “Your highness,” he said, deftly lifting up the white velvet, and exposing the gorgeous gem flashing under a shaft of sunlight (admitted by a skiliful ar- rangement of the blinds to that one spot in the room), “Prince Lorenzo, I would beg your highness' graclous acceptance of the Steinway diamond as a remembrance of your visit to my poor house.” With these words he lifted the gem in its silk-lined case and placed it in the trembling, prince- ly_hands, amid much applause. ‘With a great effort the recipient rose to his feet. “Sir Benjamin, I—I thank you,” he said, hoarsely, hesi- tated, wavered, and sank back into the chair. *“Pardon me,” he whis- pered, “but I am a little overcome by the heat.” ~ The collapse was not a little disap- pointing to Sir Benjamin, who had several reporters in attendance for the purpose of taking down the prince’s reply as well as his own speech. But the prince's bodily welfare was of prime consideration. Within a couple of minutes the room was cleared, the guests trooping out by the French window and door, and Sir Benjamin was ministering to the prince with brandy and a Japanese fan. “If T might be allowed te remain here quite alone for a few minutes,” sald the highness faintly, relinquish- Ing the empty glass. “I am subject to these little attacks, but they soon pass. Pray go to your guests, my dear Sir Benjamin, and I will rejoin you in a very short time.” * ok k * IR BENJAMIN, while exceeding loth to go, could not venture to disobey a prince. Begging his high- ness to ring for anything he might desire, he departed reluctantly to the garden. After a furtive survey of the room Mr. Groten sat up. His indisposition had not been entirely natural, though he had taken advantage, so to speak, of hls physical weakness. The faint- ing turn had formed part of Roland's instructions, yet terror had made it almost a reality. But now the worst was past. The diamond was in his possession, and— why, the case, closed by Sir Ben- jamin, was still in his hand! He opened it and for a space gazed at the glory within. He sighed, and, snapping the lid, put the case care- fully into an inner pocket. A thou- sand pounds—one thousand pounds— he deserved more. Yet what could he himself do with such a diamond? He sighed again. Only a thousand pounds! Ah, well! There was noth- ing for it but to keep to his the better. Why delay? All he had to' do was to ring the bell, have his host summoned, express regret that he felt no better and order round the car, which Roland was driving. First, however, he would have an- other drop of brandy. The tray had been thoughtfully left on the velvet- covered table. + But, even as he reached for the decanter, some one entered by the French window. His arm dropped and he turned to see a girl, pretty and tall and smartly gowned. More- over, she was pale and apparently in trouble. She came_straight toward him, finger on lip. He made to “Don't move, e listen, and don’t speak. All is known. You are vered. urrounded. You will be taken— ou cannot es: nless you re- turn the diamond. Then you will be allowed to go.” She paused, her hand wé‘" heart: “Who are you?” He o _gasped, ? was sickly white; his teeth. chat- tered. “Hush! I am a private detective. 8i e to a rise. she whispered. “Only | arrived The house is | inf mediately.” She unfolded the bun- dle and he saw a five-pound note. “There are 40 of them,” she went on. “Which do you prefer—200 pounds or penal servitude?” He shuddered. “You—you guaran- tee I get away?” he breathed. “I will ring for your car now.” “No, no; not the car,” he almost sobbed, “He'd kill me.” “If you prefer to depart on foot, leave this room by the window, turn | to the left, go through the little woods and you will come to a gate in the wall. with you—unless I blow this whistle. As you will see, the window opens in the side of a wing, and everybody— except the detectives—are on the lawn in front of the house. But you must decide quickly. “Give me the mone “The diamond!” sharply. He took the case from the inner pocket and let her have it. She opened it, glanced in, snapped it and handed him the tight little bundle. “Your hat i{s under the chair,” she sajd. “Now go quickly.” She was whiter than he. ‘When he had disappeared she crossed the floor unsteadily and rang the bell. “Miss Silvestre's car,” she said to the servant. The car was at the front door almost as soon as she. Curiously enough, jt was the identical car that had brought " he groaned. she whispered Mr. Groten to the party, and its driver was the man who called himself Ro- land. A BOUT the same hour a somewhat unusual little scene was being en- acted on a country road not in Surrey. A handsome Daimler had been brought to a standstill, and its sole passenger was pressing the muzzle of a revolver against the nape of the chauffeur’s neck. “How many miles have we come? No one shall interfere | si But T was not what you call keen on the garden party Now, tell me how you expected to get the Steinway diamond? “I guess we've got it by now-: though it looks as if I shouldn't " was the sullen reply. . * And how did they, friends, get it?” My So the jewel has been given to him. Quite so! Tell me more, I beg of you. The muzzle was pressed a trifle closer. 1 comprehend! | said Lorenzo, and he chuckled softl merrily, without, howe ure of the revo los o " mutteres] th you ‘can’t murder that,” he added, shiv h!” exclagmed the pr dirt like you diamond, chauffeur. any. ‘But “I do out— And 1o n s uble give Like m Sir Benja G careful man, snd he cannot trust all who go to his big parties. So he sent me, privately, this morning, Steinway this aft- it s the real except_that way home anyhow “And he who is my double, what has|I give v he done, then? “Given it up to a girl who fright- ened him, for a fiver.” “A fiver! Five pounds onl “IHe thinks he's getting 2 there’s only one real note bunch. Rest's just paper. What are ou going to do with me? ve his already turned prostra debonais Phi Beta Kappa, Honor Fraternity, To Observe Its Sesquicentennial (Continued from Third Page.) the important part played by the Phi Beta Kappa men in that mo- mentous convention of 1788, called to ratify the Constitution of the United States. As the largest State in population and the center of strong opposition, the action of the Virginia convention was looked upon as determining whether the new Government of the United States of America should be inaugurated s a unit or divided against itself. Inci- dentally, the most authoritative his- tory of the convention, Griggsby's, was written by a Phi Beta Kappan, who became a member of the Alpha of Vir- ginia after its reorganization in 1851. ‘There were 170 members in that convention, of whom 8 were Phi Beta Kappa founders—William Cabell, John Marshall, Stevens Thomson Ma- son, Littleton Ayres, John Allen, Archibald* Stuart, Bushrod Washing- ton and Thomas Smith. John James Beckley was made clerk. The speeches of John Marshall, in which were shown the reasonableness of the pro- visions of the Constitution and the groundlessness of the fears of the op- position, were largely effectual in win- ning and holding a few wavering members to the side of ratification. The last move of the opposition was to offer a motion to withhold ratifica- tion until certain proposed amend- ments were incorporated. ‘were 168 votes recorded and the motion was lost, 80 to 88. Two Phi Beta Kappa men voted “aye” and the remaining six voted “no.” Had five of these six been opposed to ratification, serious delay, at least, would have been caused. But Phi Beta Kappa members de- termined the result in a still more striking way, as is shown by Rev. Dr. Oscar M. Voorhees, secretary of the United Chapters, who, since his stu- dent da when he delved into the original records that had been in hid- ing nearly 90 years, has been writing Phi Beta Kappa history with the early documents in hand. Archibald Stuart was from Rock- bridge County, and as a candidate for legislative honors was defeated by 13 votes. A few days later he visited a friend in Botetourt County and was asked to speak on public questions. He made such a favorable impression that he was urged to become a candi- date for the House of Deputies. That he might be eligible, his host deeded him sufficient land, which fact was soon forgotten, and only brought to light when the title of the property was searched 50 or more years after- ward. At this second eléction Stuart ‘was successful and appeared at the meeting of the Legislature as the col league of the man by whom he had been defeated. . Botetourt County re- turned him the two succeeding years, and then his native county, Rock- , becomn| aware of his grow- ing ability, made him her delegate for the follo two years, 1786 and 1787, ;"I'ldt.. ‘meml of the convention of After being thus chosen he learned that his former constituency in Bote- tourt was opposed to ratification, and that was on foot to Dl!dll‘lh del . Pt legates to vote in opposi- be'credited 1o Fhi Dot lo Kappa influence,” Dr. Voorhees em- ! v 18 Presid e or | March, Wi m immediately fc and night, mml bt pledged in favor of the Constitution, and in the convention proved to be the strongest champion of ratifica- tion. Thus the Phi Beta Kappa men held the balance of power in that| momentous convention and actually determined the resuit. * % ¥ ¥ 'OUR of the “Fifty Founders” be- came members of the House of Representatives—Samuel Hardy, to whom credit belongs for suggesting the idea of granting charters te other branches, so that Phi Beta Kappa should ‘be extended to each of the United States,” and for whom Hardy County, W. Va., is named; Richard Bland Lee, John Brown and John Marshall. John Marshall also became Chief Justice of the Supreme Court ¢T the United States, and John Brown became Senator from Kentucky. Stevens Thompson Mason was Sen- ator from Virginia. Bushrod Wash- ington became an associate justice of the United States Supreme Court. Spencer Roane became judge of the Supreme Court of Appeals of Virginia. Peyton Short became a member of the Senate of Kentucky. These 50, most of whom were in their teens when they joined the Phi Beta Kappa, within 10 years were leaders in the affairs of state. Forty- one out of,the fifty attained to dis- tinction in public affairs. The nine others were influential men, among them being William ‘Madison, brother of James Madison; Thomas Lee, Lang- don Cabell, who was offered a cabinet position by President Madison, but declined; Thomas Cocke of Surrey, and last, but by no means least, Elisha Parmele, who graduated first at Harvard, then drifted to Williams- burg, where he joined the Phi Beta Kappa, who carried the charters to Harvard and Yale, thus perpetuating the organization, and who was pastor of a church in Lee, Mass. * & k& LEVEN members of the Phi Beta Kappa Society have been Presi- dents of the United States—including Calvin Coolidge; and eight have been Vice Presidents—including Charles G. Dawes. Here is the list: John Quincy Adams, Harvard, 1787; President from 1825 to 1829. Martin Van Buren, an honorary member of Union Chapter, elected in 1830; President from 1837 to 1841. Franklin Pierce, Bowdoin, 1824; President from 1852 to 1857. Rutherford Burchard Hayes, Ken- yon, 1842, elected to alumnus member- lh;[l) in 1880; President from 1877 to James Abram Garfield, Willlam: 1856, an alumnus member of the ch: ter, elected at its institution, in 1864; lent from March 4 to September 19, 1881. Chester Alan Arthur, Union, 1848; elected Vice President in 1880, an Pufldcn‘ts:?m September, 1881, untii Theodore Roosevelt, Harvard, 1880; r;:slld!mt from September, 1901, to ‘William Howard Taft, Yale, 1878; President from 1909 to 1913. oodrow Wilson, Princeton, 1879, an honorary member of the Wesleyan Chapter, elected in 1889, and a char- ter member of the Princeton Chapter in 1899; President from 1913 to 1921. anniversary of the founding of the college; Vice President from March 4, 1921, to- August 2, 1923, when he suc- ceeded to the presidency; elected November 4, 1924, and took the oath of office publicly on March 4, 1925. To make the presidential list com- plete the name of Grover Cleveland n | ternity—Samuel L. conclusion of his term as Vice Presi- dent. The three others—Chester Alan Arthur, Theodore Rooseveit and Cal- vin Coolidge—succeeded to office on the death of Presidents Garfield, Me- Kinley and Harding. Four others have been elected: John Caldwell Cal Vice President from 1 to 1533. Charles Warren Fairbanks, Ohio ‘Weslyan, 1872, was made an honorary member of the De Pauw Chapter in 1903, and was Vice President from 1905 to 1909. Thomas Riley Marshall, Wabash, 272, en alumnus member elected at the institution of the chapter, in 1898. was Vice President for two terms— 1913-192 Charles G. Dawes, Marietta, 1884, began his services as Vice President March 4, IBZSA. ’ Yale, 1804, { * ox ok NDICATIVE of how members of this pioneer Greek letter fraternity have achieved fame is the fact that 28 Phi Beta Kappa men have been honored_with tablets in the Hall of Fame, University Heights, New York City—or 44 per cent of all those thus honored. _The first selections for the Hall of Fame were made in 1900, when of the 29 men honored 13 were members of Phi Beta Kappa: John Marshall, of the original soclety. James Kent, Yale, 1781 Cli Whitney, Yale, 1792. Joseph Story, Harvard, 1798. Daniel Webster, Dartmouth, 1801. Samuel F. B. Morse, Yale, 1810. Ralph Waldo Emerson, Harvard alumnus, Henry W 1825 18 3 Horace 1830. Washington Irving, Yale honorary, 1833. Asa Gray, Harvard honorary, 1842. Henry Ward Beecher, Amherst alumnus, 1853. Of the others then selected, at least five could not have been members of the Phi Beta Kappa by reason of their age—George _ Washington, _Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin and Jonathan Edwards. In 1905 there were eight selections, of whom four were Phi Beta Kappa men—John Quincy Adams, Harvard, 1787; James Russell Lowell, Harvard alumnus, 1846; Gen. William T. Sher- man, Dartmouth honorary, 1866, and John Greenleaf Whittier, Harvard honorary, 1888. In 1910 4 of the 10 names selected were of Phi Beta Kappans— George _Bancroft, Hdgvard, 1817; Oliver Wendell Holmes, Harvard, 1829; Phillips Brooks, Harvard, 1855, and William Cullen Bryant, Harvard honorary, 1817. At the institution of the chapter at Willlams College in 1864, Mr. Bryant was also among the graduates elected to alumni member- " Longfellow, Bowdoin, 5. athaniel Hawthorne, Bowdoin, Mann, Brown alumnus, Harvard and ip. g ‘hx; the 1915 list of nine selections re were six Phi Beta Kappa mem- a::—fl.uful Choate, Dartmouth, 1819 Joseph Henry, Union honorary, 182 John Lothrop Motley, Harvard, 188 Francis Parkman, Harvard, 184 Louis Agassiz, Harvard honorary, 1849, and l;i‘nk Hopkins, Willlams , 1864. um‘;‘:& those selected in 1920 only one held membership in the Key fra- 7 lemens, an honorary member’ of the Alpha of Missouri, elected at the organization of that chapter in 1902. —_—— The Oldest Cent. VERY old coppbr coin was dug up by William N. Davis of Marble- It was a copper cent bearh A head. & on one side in a circle “Commonwealth t Massashusetts,” with the date 1787 ~ Indian holding a vow and & On the other side the value of the coig, of and an