Lancaster High School - Mirage Yearbook (Lancaster, OH)

Page 16 text:

That afternoon as Jones Sr., sat at his desk in his store and glanced at his desk clock, his face turned very pale, and his hand began to tremble. His son saw him rise from his chair and stumble toward the counter, and came rushing back asking him what was the matter. ‘’Nothing.” replied his father, “Get me a little water, please.” Returning with the water, he was just about to question his father further when he was cut short by the inquiry: “Has any scranger been in here today or has any one been near my desk?” “No, sir,” replied his son. Just then some one came in the front door calling Jones, Jr. away, leaving his father alone to stare at the ace of spades that lay on his desk. ‘’So you have started. Mr. Brown? Well, now strike before I do,” said Jones to himself. ‘‘But whom am I to strike?” “Well, Prince, where bound tonight?” For two weeks now, you have not left the house after supper,” said Henderson, as Prince came out upon the porch where he was sitting. “Yes,” replied Prince, “But Jones’s daughter has come home from State and some one is having a party for her.” “Oh I see you are hitting up the society of the village, I did not think you were in for that kind; you always seemed to be all business,” replied Henderson. “Oh yes, I like my good times as well as any one else,” said Prince as he stepped off the porch and started toward the car. Prince was met by a young man who introduced himself as Herbert Jones, and asked if he had the pleasure of talking to Howard Prince. “Yes,” replied Prince. “When I told my sister that Mr. Prince was coming, she wanted to know if your first name was Howard and I told her she would have to find that out. tonight when you came,” said Herbert. “Here she comes now.” Gladys Jones made a very striking appearance as she moved toward them across the lawn because Gladys was by no means bad looking. As she drew nearer, Howard recognized her to be the girl with whom he had danced last Xmas time and the one the fellows were all crazy about at school. “Howard Prince in deed,” said Gladys, “then you arc the Mr. Prince I danced with last Xmas time?” “The same,” replied Howard. Herbert having left them, Howard led her toward the bench where he found himself talking about the fellows back at school. “Hey there,” cried the farmer whose buggy Prince had forced down into the ditch at one side of the road by letting his car have the middle of the road. Coming to himself Howard turned his car to one side and stopping, turned in his seat to see if he had done any damage, but seeing the farmer pull back and start to tell him what he thot of him in plain English he turned in his seat and started his car. “That’s what a fellow gets for thinking about a pretty girl and trying to drive a car at the same time.” said Howard to himself. “But just the same she is some little girl.” On reaching home he found Henderson still on the porch. “What, home already?” “Yes,” replied Howard, “you know everybody goes to bed early around here.” “Did you pass old man Blackstone on your way home?” asked Henderson. “He just left here; he lias been here all evening; said he met you in town the other day and he thot you were a very nice young man.” ’T guess he does not think that way now.” smiled Howard, “I almost crowded him off the road when I passed, him coming home.” “And say, he can sure use plain English when he is mad.” June gave way to July, and all the gossips talked about now-a-days was the new general store that was going to open up across the street from Jones’s. Some said it was a branch of one of the large Cincinnati stores, while others said that old man Black- stone owned it, but this wras disputed, as they said that he did not have money enough to open up that kind of a store. The wonr c of the village came in for their part of the gossip by asking each other how soon Gladys and Howard were going to be married. One evening late in August when Howard brot Gladys home from their evening drive, instead of leaving her at the porch steps he came upon the porch where her father was (14)

Page 15 text:

After Jones was in possession of his store and he had but one friend left in Hamp- ton, Brown sold his home and all that he had left of his moderate fortune and made up his mind to leave the village. The train rumbled up to the station and catching his son by the hand he hurried out to the platform. It was snowing so hard that he could not see who the persons were standing close to the building making remarks about him. As the train disappeared down the road, Jones remarked to his companions. “Well he will go to the city now to live in poverty the rest of his life, where he could have lived here in peace if he had accepted my offer.” The truth of the matter was that Jones was glad he was gone, as he did not like to have a man like Brown around. One might have seen Jones later that evening as he sat reading his mail gasp and look around the room as he held a letter in his shaking hand on which was written the following:. “I will get you some day, Jones; it may take a iong time, but I will get you. My course will be marked by four cards; ace of spades, which means I have started; duce of diamonds, that I have made progress; the tray of hearts, that I have gained a hold; and the king of clubs that I am about to strike.”—BROWN. Jones threw back his head and laughed, rose, threw the letter into the fire, shrugged his shoulders and passed out of the room. Time had brought a few changes, for the betterment of the village and one evening in June the men on the bench in front of the Hampton Hotel saw a large white car com- ing toward them down the street. It was a beautiful thing, as the moonlight played upon it. It was in absolute harmony with its surroundings, not making any noise as it moved down the silent street, between the rows of stately elms. Stopping in front of the hotel, a young man dressed in white from head to foot, wear- ing large amber-colored glasses, stepped out of the car and asked for a room for the night. The proprietor rising, led him into the oifice where he shoved the register toward him. After signing, the stranger was taken to his room. On coming down stairs the proprie- tor found liis three comrades of the bench gazing at the name on the register. “Weli what is his name and where is he from?” asked Williams. “His name in Howard Prince and lie hails from Dayton,” replied the first man. “I wonder if he is going to let that car stand out there all night,” asked the second man. Prince’s room faced the street, and he heard the four discussing him till about eleven o’clock, when they all departed for their homes. Next morning, as he was eating his first early meal with the landlord he found out about everybody of importance in the village. And he also learned that if he wanted to spend the summer on a farm, old man Henderson’s place would just about suit him. About 8:30, Prince set out for Henderson’s farm. He received his directions from Williams, who said it lay in a beautiful stretch of country. Williams was right, for no one could have wished for a nicer place than this for a drive on such a morning. Prince was just about three miles from the village when Henderson's large red barn came in sight with its white house set in the middle of a well-kept lawn with fine large shade trees. As he came closer lie noticed that all fences were well-kept and in good condition, and the weeds were also cut. “The old farmer must take pride in his farm,” thot Prince. Tho he had moved noiselessly up the drive he had not proceeded half way to the house before a large heavy man came out of the door at the side and greeted him by his name, “Quick work, thot Prince, “William must have phoned him that I was coming.” Making known his wants Prince was led thru the house and up stairs by Henderson to a laige room neatly furnished in white. Going to one of the windows Prince threw it open and gazed out upon a rolling country. “You need rot show me any other rooms,” said Prince, this is just what I wanted.” Descending the stairs, he paid Henderson in advance, and told him he wanted to go to town and that he would be back after din- ner. (13)

Page 17 text:

sitting. “Father, Howard wants to ask you something.” All right, let us hear it,” said Mr. Jones. Taking himself down from the railing of the porch, where he was sitting, Howard said, “Mr. Jones, this may take you by surprise, or it may not. Very likely not, as the villagers seem to think it is a settled fact. Will yon give your consent to my mar- riage to Gladys?” “What!” exclamed Mr. Jones, letting his cigar fall to the floor, “this is too sudden!” “I know it is sudden, but please arswer Howard’s question,” said Gladys Well, if you are in a hurry. I would be very glad to have Howard as a son-in-law,” re- plied Mr. Jones, rising and catching Howard by the hand. “I guess you two will want this porch to yourselves, so I will go inside.” Mr. Jones had acted very much surprised, but this was just what he had hoped for, for this would enable him to compete with his business nval Blackstone thru Prince’s money. On his way home that same evening these thots passed thru Howard’s mind. “Had he made a mistake in asking her to be his wife? No doubt he loved her: yes that was the trouble; he loved her too well for his own good: it might cause him much sorrow in his later life. Why does a woman always have to come into a man’s life, just when he has such important duties to perform? Well, he was in for it now, and he would have to cross the stream, for to turn back meant certain failure.” The next morning Herbert Jones went to his father for some money. His father told him that if he did not stop over-drawing his salary something was going to happen and happen soon. Giving his son twenty-five dollars, he told him that if lie wrould stay in the store more and help him get his business back on its feet again lie would raise his salary. Picking up his morning mail he went thru it. Two letters he threw into the waste basket, three he put on file, and opening the sixth he drew forth the duce of diamonds. One evening of the following week as Howard came out cf the postoffice Herbert Jones stopped him and asked if he minded taking a little drive in his car as he wanted to talk over some business with him. “Not at all, a little drive will cool us both off,” said Howard. After they had gained Hie outskirts of the village Herbert began: “How- ard, the story I am about to tell you will show- up my weakness but if you will help me out of this I will promise not to get myself in bad again.” “Well let us hear how bad a muss you have gotten yourself into,” said Howard. “I need some money; this morning I received a message from my broker in Cleveland stating that unless I could cover my margin with a thousand dollars I would lose my other two thousand that I have invested.” “Now if you could let me have a thousand I am sure I could pay you back in a week or so.” “What kind of stock have you ” asked Howard. “Wheat,” replied Herbert. “None safer on the market today,” replied Howard. “Have you any blanks at the store on the First National bank,” asked Howard. If you have, we can return there and make out the check.” “Yes,” replied Herbert. The result was that Jones Jr., not only signed a note for one thousand, but a note for another thousand was added. The next morning as How-ard wfas going past Jones’ store he was called in by Jones, Sr., who said that he had some business to talk over with him. After they were seated in Jones' private office Jones began: “Howard since you are soon to become my son-in-law. how about taking a little stock in my store ? I wall take you in as an active or inactive partner, just as you wish.” “Thanks very much for your offer Mr. Jones, but after I am married I don’t think I will live here, as I w ant to be closer to my own business so I can take care of it.” “But I need some money,” said Jones; that fellow across the street is selling- at cost, and unless I can keep up with him till he gets over this crazy idea I will lose all my trade. But I would sooner have you as a partner.” “I can let you have the money, but for the reason I stated I cannot go into partnership with you,” replied Howard. “Well, then can you let me have about two thousand for six months?” asked