The Argosy, Vol. 82 No. 4 — page 21: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

A SECRET OF THE BRONX. I was born, or very soon after, and I be- lieve I was three or four years old when my father died.” “Do you know anything about your grandparents?” “Nothing, absolutely nothing. Of course, in the natural course of events, I must have had two grandfathers and two grandmoth- ers. I never saw them or heard any one speak of them.” “You will remember, perhaps, that on the day you arrived I told you that I had followed your career.”’ ‘“‘T do remember, and wondered that you had any time to pay attention to such small affairs as mine.”’ Mr. Kendry smiled. “T was speaking of your career since Tom and you became such friends. Now I will tell you something. It was at my request that Tom invited you here.” If some one had come up behind Fanning and struck him with a sledge-hammer, if he wasn’t knocked out completely he could not have been more stunned. “You—you—I don’t understand,” he stammered. ‘‘Why, you had never seen me.”’ Mr. Kendry smiled again. “That was why I wanted you to come here. I had a desire to see you, talk with you, study you. I can go no further on that line—now. Tell me of your childhood. Who brought you up?” Fanning strove to collect his thoughts | sufficiently to give a satisfying if brief story of his childhood. There was, after all, very little to tell. “T lived as a boy with a man and his wife in Olean, New York. Their name was Braker. To all appearance, and so far as I knew, they were my parents. I was called Braker, known to everybody as Braker. “These people were not rich. Braker was a shiftless sort of man without hav- ing anything vicious about him. When I say shiftless, I am not using the right word, but the best I can think of. “He was a good man, kept a little dry goods store, and made a fair living. His wife was kind in her own way, but she had a rather quick temper that sometimes turned her into a shrew. I was kept well clothed. “T recall, too, a peculiar circumstance or condition, I should say, that has in later years surprised me. I had a certain amount of money to spend. And I always had the 587 best of everything to eat when, as I know now, the Brakers were hard pushed to make both ends meet. “When I was sixteen—I had been going to school and earning nothing—they took the soul out of me almost by telling me that my name was Fanning, that I was no relation of theirs, that my parents died when I was young, that I had no relatives in the world, and that the time had come for me to go to work. I remember I cried till I had no more tears. “T did go to work. give me a job in his store. But he refused. I found work. I went to college. I left the Brakers because their manner toward me changed. I seemed not to be wanted. So I left. ‘From that time you need no informa- tion. I worked, studied, chummed with Tom, graduated, and took up my present. business.” “Don’t you even know where you were born?” “No, I don’t even know that. The Brakers, when they told me I was a Fan- ning, told me no more.” “Are these Brakers alive?” ‘“‘They were a few years ago, and healthy. I have not had any relations with them in years.” “Will you keep a very still tongue if I let you into a secret that concerns yourself? I have a reason for asking you to say noth- ing, not even to Tom, about what I am about to tell you.” “Mr. Kendry, you may trust me with any information. My lips never give away I asked Braker to a secret.” “Well—you—ha! It’s a queer joke of fate. You were born right here in Tre- mont.” Fanning leaped to his feet, staring with wide open eyes at the astute lawyer, who sat calm, unperturbed, smoking his cigar. “Mr. Kendry! Are you joking?” “T am not joking. I told you that I had followed your career.” “Ts my name Fanning?” “Your name is Fanning. The Brakers told you the truth so far as it went. You were born in a house that is still standing, and situated on Washington Avenue.- You and I will take a quiet walk when we can and I will show it to you.” “Mr. Kendry! I am whirling round!” Mr. Kendry laughed again. ‘You will whirl more, boy, before I get CORMICLOOOKS (C@