Lakeland Evening Telegram Newspaper, March 5, 1914, Page 2

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-= THE &~ F'ER-DO-WELL A Romance of the Panama Canal REX BEACH 1810, 1911, COPYRIGHT, SYNOPSIS. Rirk Anthony. son of a rich man, with | college friends, gets into a fracas in a ! New York resort. A detective is hurt. | Jefterson Locke fnsinuates himselt into | the college men’s party. | Locke, alded by Kirk's friend Higgins, who thinks it a joke, drugs Kirk and puts ; him aboard a ship bound for Colon. Kirk 18 on the passenger list as Locke. | “Broke" and without baggage, aboard | the ship Kirk makes the acquaintance of Mr, and Mrs. Stephen Cortlandt. T —thl,q Mr. Weeks?" Kirk inquired. “That’s me."” “My name is Anthony.” “Glad to meet you," wheezed the fat man, extending a limp, moist hand without rising. When Kirk had grasp- ed it he felt like wiping his own palm. “Have a seat.”” The speaker indicated a broken hacked rocker encumbered | with damp clothes, newspapers and books. ‘“Just dump that rubbish on the floor; it don't matter where” Then he piped at the top of this thin, little | voice: “Zeelah! Hey, Zeelah! DBring | some more ice” In answer to Mr. Weeks' shout a ! slatternly negress with dra and overrun shoes entered, et wash bowl partly filled with ice. “Just get in, Mr. Anthony?” “Yos, sir, on the Santa Cruz. “Fine ship.” Mr. Weeks rose pon- derously and wiped out a glass with a hath towel. “You'll like that” he predicted. “There's one good thing we get in 12 skirts | "?’//’// ! “Is this Mr. Weeks?" Colon and that's whisky.” With a palsied hand he presented the glass. “I came in to ask a favor,” Anthony announced. “I suppose every tourist does the same.” “That's a part of a consul's duty,” Mr. Weeks panted. while his soft cheeks swelled with every exhalation, “That's what I'm here for.” “I want to cable home to my father for money.” “A little poker game on the way down, eh?” He began to shake pon- derously. “I'm broke, and they won't take a collect message at the cable office. You see, I didn’t know I \7as coming; | some of my friends gave me a knock- | out and shipped me off on the Santa | Cruz. The wireless wasn't working, we didn't stop at Jamaica, so this is | my first chance to get word home.” “What do you wish me to do?" “Cable for me and see that I have a place to stop until I get an answer,” | A look of distrust crept slowly into the consul's little eyes. Ie began to complain. “1 don’t know you, Mr.— | what's the name again? Anthony I'm a poor man, and I've been an easy mark for every tropical tramp from | Vera Cruz to Guayaquil. Your father | may not be able to help you. and then I'll be holding the bag.” “I think you don't understand who BY ying a | ¢ }\\'omlcrl‘nl opportunities this country | ously, and tried to interest Kirk in Pa- | promoters, cheap skates and that sort, { made itself felt like a mysterious pres- HARPER & BROTHERS my Telighted to have the privileg ¢ Kirk cast another glance over the frowzy place and demurred hastily. “Really, I couldn’t think of putting you out. 1 can stay on the Santa Cruz as well as not.” “1 couldn't hear to such a thing. You're tired of ship life—everybody is guest, | —and I have lots of room—too much room. Have another highball.” “No, I thank you." “Darwin— Say. I'll send a cart for your baggage right now.” “1 have it with me—six shirts, all guilty.” “Then I'll send your father a mes- sage this minnte. I'm delighted at the privilege of being the first to advise him of your safety and to relieve his mental anguish.” In a moment he read what he had written: Darwin K. Anthony, Albany. Your and safe. guest, Asl turn “That tells the story. It'll please after you, my boy. I'm glad to get in touch with your father. \We need capital in this country.” 1 hard man in money mat ters, d Darwin K. Anthony's son. “I believe I enjoy the distinction of be- ing the orly person who ever made him loosen,” “All suceesstul Weeks declared. men are cautious,” “But if he knew the presents’— The speaker leaned for- ward, while his chair creaked danger- nama possibilities. . “My boy, there's a thousand ways to get rich down here, and 1 know ‘em all. What I need is capital. Why, talk aboutquick money"”~—the speaker thrust forth a finger that looked like a peeled banana=*“I've got a gold mine”— “Not a bit like it Kirk shook his head. “They don't behave.” *This one will. It's an old Spanish mine and hasn't been worked for three centuries. If he doesn't like that we'll get him a street railway franchise. I'm close to the government, and there isn’t a steel rail in any city of the re- public. I know all the Spiggoty poli- ticians.” “The what?" “The Spiggoties! That's what we call the Panamanians. They ‘no spig- goty English, understand?” “It's a funny name.” “Now, my boy, there's one thing I want you to be careful of. Don't let some of these fellows around here get you excited. This country is full of and they'll try to stampede you into some investment. You trust to me; I'm conservative. I'll put you up at the club, and when you get straight- ened around we'll talk business. Mean- while I'll send this cable.” Mr. Weeks was even better than his word. He put up his guest at the club and invited some of his friends to join them for dinner that evening on the wide balcony; then, noting Anthony's heavy clothing, he said: “You need some linens, Kirk. That suit looks like a dog bed. You don't mind my calling you Kirk, do you? There’s a Chinese tailor on Bottle al- ley who'll have ycu a suit to measure by noon tomorrow, and he only charges $7. goods and all.” Accordingly the two journeyed to Bottle alley and selected some linen, whereupon Instead of one suit the con- sul ordered three. having them charg- ed to his account. Kirk really enjoyed that evening at the Wayfarers' club, for once the cool of evening had come the place filled up rapidly with as fine a crowd of men as he had ever met. There were young fellows from the railroad offices, mer- chants from the town, engineers from the BIG JOB, the proximity of which ence. They were all men with work to do: there were no idlers; there was no class distinction. One topic of con- versation prevailed. Weeks did himself credit as a host. Both the food and the wine were well erved, and the consul's half dozen guests soon became mellowed and friendly. When finally they arose some one proposed a game of draw poker and insisted upon Kirk’s joining. He was about to refuse when Weeks drew him aside to say: “Don't let the money question stand S be is. Did you ever hear of Darwin|jn your way, Kirk. You're my guest, K. Anthony of Albany, N. Y.?" Mr. Weeks’ thick lids opened, this time to display a far different emotion. “Certainly. Why didn't you say so?' he bubbled. “I'm here to accommo- date folks like you. Darwin K. An- thony! Well, rather! I'll cable him myself, and you'll stay right bere as and your I. O. U. is as good as a gov- ernment bond, so go as far as you like.” A considerable portion of Anthony’s time in college had been devoted to a course in draw poker. But he soon found that these men bad forgotten THE EVENING TELEURAM LAKELAND, FLA., MARCH 35, 1914. more about iiie game ther he could ever hope to learn at any university. and when the crowd broke up at mid- night he signed his name to a tab for $40. Early the next day the following ca- blegram was left at the American con- sulate: Weeks,_ Consul, Colon: Anthony absent, returns Friday. COPLEY. “Copley is the governor's secretary,” Kirk explained. ‘““T'hat means that I'll miss the Santa Cruz and bave to wait another week.” “I'm delighted,” heartily. “Perhaps you could stake me to a ticket. I'll remit when I get to New the consul said York.” “My pay isn't due for a fortnight.” Weeks explained after an instant's hesitation. “You see, I'm interested in so many ventures it keeps me—well broke. Anyhow. you can't go until we have arranged an investment for your father.” Not wishing to embarrass his host, he refrained from pressing the matter and resigned himself as best he could to an extension of his exile. Mean- while he decided to visit the canal. But his plans were upset by the weather. On the following day it be- gan to rain. and it continued to rain day and night thereafter until Colon became a sodden. dripping horror. The soil melted into a quagmire, the streets became sluices, the heavens closed down like a leaden pall, and the very air became saturated. It was hot also and sticky, It was too much for Kirk, and he de- ferred his trip over the *“line,” spend- ing his time instead at the Wayfarers' club. In his daylight hours he listen- ed to Weeks' unending dissertations upon the riches of the tropics. At night he played poker with such uni- form bad Iuek that his opponents de- veloped for him an increasing affec tion. Jut all things have an end, and Fri- day morning broke clear and hot. *“We'll hear from the old gentleman today sure.” he told Weeks at break- fast. “He's regularity i train dispatchers set their watches by him." e then declared his determina- tion to avail himself of the good weather and see something of the town. The prospect of squaring his account with the fawning fat man filled him with relief, and once away from the consulate be stayed until late in the afternoon. It was nearly dark when he strolled in to inquire: “Well, did you get an answer?" “Yes. Here's the message; read it yourself.” Kirk read as follows: Weeks, Consul, Colon: Your guest an impostor. Have no son. ANTHONY. “Well, I'll be blanked!” he ejaculat- ed. “This is a joke!" Weeks was beginning to pant. “A Joke, hey? I suppose it was a joke to impose on me?” “Don't you believe I'm Kirk An- thony 7" “No. I do not. I just discovered to- day that your name is Jefferson Locke. Stein told me.” Anthony laughed lightly. “Oh, laugh if you want to. You're a smooth article, but you happened to se- lect the wrong millionaire for a father this time, and I'm going to give you a taste of our Spiggoty jails.” “You can't arrest me. You offered to take me in.” “You can't get out of it that way,” cried Weeks at the top of his little voice. “I've fed you for a week. I put you up at my club. That very suit of clothes you have on is mine."” “Well, don't burst a seam over the matter. My governor doesn’t know the facts. I'll cable him myself this time.” *And live off me for another week, I suppose? Not if I know it! He says he has no son. Isn't that enough?” “He doesn't understand. Will you lend me enough money to cable again?” “More money? NO!" fairly scream- ed the other. “You get out of my house, Mr. Kirk Anthony, and don't you show yourself around here again. I'll keep the rest of your wardrobe.” To the indignant amazement of Mr. Weeks., Kirk burst into a genuine laugh, saying: “All right, landlord, keep my bag- gage. _ 1 helieve that's the custom, but— oh, gee! This is funny.” He was still laughing when he reached the public square, for at last he had begun to see the full humor of Adelbert Higgins' joke. Facing for the first time in his life an instant and absolute need of money, Kirk found himself singularly lacking in resource, and a period of sober con- templation brought him no helpful thought. Perhaps, after all, he decid- ed, his best course would be to seek relief from the Cortlandts. According- ly he strolled into the offices of the steamship company near by and asked leave to telephone. But on calling up the Hotel Tivoli in Panama city he was told that his friends were out. nor could he learn the probable hour of their return. It was growing dark. From farther down the water front the lights of the Wayfarers' club shone invitingly, and Kirk decided to appeal there for as- sistance. But as he neared the place he underwent a sudden change of heart. Slowly mounting the stairs ahead of him like a trained hippopota- mus was the colossal, panting figure of the American counsul, at sight of which Kirk's pride rose up in arms and forbade him to follow. A band was playing in the plaza when he came back—a very good band, too—and, finding a bench, he al- lowed his mind the relief of idly lis- tening to the music. The square was filling with Spanish people, who soon caught and held his attention, for ev- e e e e =~ “You get out of my house!” ery imaginable variety of mongrel breed looked out from the loitering crowd. But no matter what the racial blend, black was the fundamental tone. tound and round the people walked to the strains of their national music, among them dozens upon dozens of the ever present little black and tan policemen, who constitute the repub- lie's standing army. As the evening drew on Kirk be- came conscious of an unwonted sen- sation, riously weaken a man, and. than make the experiment, he 1in called up the Tivoli, rejoicing anew in the fact that there was no toll on isthmian messages. But agiain he was disappointed. This time he was told that the Cortlandts were spending the night out of town with friends. CHAPTER VI The Reward of Merit. OON after Kirk's second re- turn to the park the concert ended, the crowd melted away, and he found himself occupying a bench with a negro of about the same age as himself. For perhaps an hour the two sat there hearkening to the dying noises of the city; then Kirk, unable to endure the monotony longer, turned sharply on his companion and said: “Why don’t you go home?" *Oh, boss. I got no home!” Kirk reflected that be had found not only the right place, but also fitting company for his vigil. “What does a person do in that case?” he asked. “Oh, he goes to work, sar!” “For the night, I mean. Are you going to stay here until morning?" “Yes, sar. if the policeman will bh’'admit of it.” % The fellow's q«leot was so strange that Kirk fnquired, “Where did you come from?" “Jamaica, sar. 1 was barn on the parth coast of the h'island, sar.” “Did you just arrive here?”" “Oh, Lard. no! 1 'ave been a liver here for two year. Sometimes I labor on the docks, again in the h'office. Lahst week lose I my position, and today my room h'also. Landladies is bad females, sar, very common.” “Well, it seems we're in the same boat this beautiful evening. I have no place to sleep, either.” “Oh, chot me true, mon." “I am chatting you true. I'm an outcast of fortune like yourself." “Such talk! You make I laugh this house. Praise God, you h'appear like a gentleman.” *1 trust this little experience will not permanently affect my social standing. By the way. what is your name?” “H'Allan " “Hallan?" “No, sar-h'Allan.” “Is that your first or last name?” “Both, sar—h'Allan h’Allan.” “Mr. Allan Allan, you're unusually dark for a Scotchman,” said Kirk gravely. *“Now, speaking as one gen- tleman to another, do you happen to know where we can get a hand-out” *’And-out?" inquired the puzzled ne- gro. “Yes: a lunch. Can't you lead me to a banana vine or a breadfruit bak- ery? I'm starving. | must get some- thing into my stomach—it's as flat as a wet envelope.” The Jamaican rose, saying: *“Step this way. please. I know the place where a very good female is. Per’aps she will make us a present.” “How far is it?" *Oh, not too far,” Allan replied op- timistically., and Kirk hopefully fol- lowed him. But at the opposite side of the square they were halted by a sudden commo- tion which drove all thoughts of food out of their winds. From a building across the street issued a bugle call, upon which an indescribable confusion broke forth. Men began running to and fro; a voice in authority shouted orders, each of which was the signal for another bugle call. Through the wide open doors the Panamanians could be heard. scurrying around a hose cart, apparently in search of clothes. “‘Oh, look, boss!" Allan cried quickly. “There must be a 'flagration.” “It's a Spiggoty hose company, as I live. Come on!”_ He bezan to wonder whether | a fast of twenty-four hours would se- ' rather | doubtless | Already a glare could be seen above the crowded portion of the city. and the two set off in that direction at a run, leaving the bugle sounding in the rear and the gallant firemen still wres- tling with their uniforms. They had nearly reached the fire when around a corner back of them, with frightful speed and clangor, came a modern au- tomobile fire truck, clinging to which was a swarm of little brown men in red shirts and helmets. Without a pause the Yankee machine whizzed on up the street, its gong clanging. its oc- cupants holding on for dear life, the peaceful inhabitants of Colon fleeing from its path, Kirk and his guide fell in behind and jogged to the scene of the conflagra- tion. (To Be Continued.) 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