Argosy, Vol. 112, No. 2 — page 101: what you’re looking at

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

BLACKSTONE SHINGLES. for the obsequies. His attenuated blond nose, somewhat’ pimpled, twitched like a rabbit’s. Wailed his high-pitched, reedy voice: “Did I understand you correctly? Just this cottage and two hundred dollars in cash? I thought aunt would leave at least two thousand dollars!” ‘“ Just two hundred, after subtracting the amount she set aside for her funeral ex- penses. Keeping you at Bucephalus cost a lot, and she had to eke out with contriving and work at that.”’ There was nothing of disapproval in the words. It was a concrete statement of dry fact, made by a man old and dried and finished with human emotions. ““ What charges have you got outstanding against the estate?” Now into Todd’s speech had crept a subtle note of aggression. It was the more or less noble note—depending upon circum- stances—of the man who is willing to fight for his own. “Your aunt settled with me recently.” With sudden cordiality Todd pressed upon Hawkins a glass of his aunt’s elder- berry wine and guided his aging steps to the door. With cautionary vision of his peculiar youth he had already decided what to do. The jangling arenas of Buffalo, Rochester, New York—these brawling metropolii all looked fearsomely alike to him—did not appeal to him. He resolved to settle in Palmyrus and set up bachelor quarters in the cottage now his own. He would move a massive desk and some other heavy furniture in the attic into the parlor and transform it into an office. There he would do business and save rent. That was far better than risking a dive into unknown waters. At first it was more prudent to wade. Moreover, careful use of his aunt’s money had taught him the value of economy. True, he must secure business, and Pal- myrus was a peaceful burg. The briefless days of old Hawkins attested this. But Hawkins belonged to the old order, which must inevitably give place unto the new. Besides, there was Hannibal Hoyt, of 267 Bucephalus. There was an old fox for an aspiring cub of the law to pattern after. So he set about his preparations. One of his aunt’s boarders had left just before she died.- The other he retained as a roomer, and they went “ fifty-fifty ” on the cost of a bachelor’s table. Walter Sims was bookkeeper and cashier at the coal-yard. As he was also of a saving disposition, there occurred no trouble between them over the scrawny marketing done by Todd. Evan saw Sims only at meal times, as the book- keeper was socially inclined throughout the village. Within a week the prim little parlor in the cottage on Main Street, two blocks below the post-office, was ready. The new businesslike air was helped out by the framed diplomas and fire-insurance calendar upon the wall and a second-hand typewriter that Evan had bought in Bucephalus. Over the front door he hung his “ shin- gle”’ that announced that he was Evan Todd, attorney at law. Passed the sweet-odored weeks of spring- time, bringing closer the tintinnabulating summer for Palmyrus. This was the fourth season of a change that was adding to the prosperity and the ambition of the folk of the quaint old village. The construction of new State roads had suddenly made of the place, set picturesquely among hills, vales, and lakes, a favored summer resort. For many days now Evan Todd's latch- string had swung, but no client had ap- peared. The young man was growing anxious. Slender as was the “ outgo,” there must be some income. cephalus, though he had not yet been obliged to dip into the two hundred dollars his aunt had left him with the cottage. The scented air outside was filled with the staccato sounds of progress, the ring of hammers wielded by brawny hands, for Palmyrus was by way of being enlarged. Evan resented being outside the glow of prosperity; he yearned to get his. He sat in his office one sunny day pon- dering how to create some business. He must not follow in the profitless steps of old Lawyer Hawkins. There was too much absence of contention in Palmyrus. Were Gomichbooks He had spent most — of what money he had brought from Bu-. com —