Argosy, Vol. 112, No. 2 — page 103: what you’re looking at

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

BLACKSTONE chance, flowered as a contractor and builder and directed the summer jobs in Palmyrus done by carpenters he imported from the nearest cities. In this ambitious new line his wife was his “ right-hand man.” Weeks made a quietly forceful figure as he sat beside Evan Todd’s desk, prompt- ing the lawyer in the preparation of the papers. He was of the untemperamental, calm-eyed type of red-haired man. ‘There is such a type, whose “ sandy ” hair and complexion and dull freckles fairly exude repose, and such a one you will remember— if you think hard enough—for that kind of a red-haired man is rare. He was lank, tall, and muscular. If he had any nerves he did not know it. He was ruminantly glad to be alive, and he took his bettered fortunes as a matter of course. Withal, in him was a quality of mild stubbornness, like that of a mule that merely balks but does not kick. This quality he did not keep on constant tap, but saved it merely for occasions when he considered that his inalienable rights, guar- anteed from Magna Carta until now, were being tampered with. When Evan handed Silas his papers, and pocketed his modest fee, he sat immersed in thought. Suddenly he uttered a mild whoop of exultation. The inspiration he had sought for days was found. II. Jonas CorwELt, the leading Jaundryman of Palmyrus, for whom Silas Weeks had been building a small cottage for summer boarders, received a letter on a day early in June. As he read it his chubby cheeks ruffled like starchy frills and his marble eyes popped indignant dismay: Palmyrus, June 3. My pear Mr. CorwELv: Mr. Silas Weeks has seen me regarding a balance of five hundred dollars claimed due from you on the cottage he lately completed for you, and in which he understands summer boarders are already quartered. He asks me what course to take to collect. I have advised him of his right to file a lien upon the premises, but have counseled against so drastic a step until we have tried for amicable adjustment. 269 I believe that if you will call at my office upon receipt of this letter, we can arrive at an understanding. Very truly yours, Evan Topp, SHINGLES. Jonas Corwell, who was so constructed that he could have made faster time by rolling, stuffed the letter in his pocket and chuffed, wheezing, to Lawyer Todd’s office. Todd, immaculate in the light spring suit of year before last, was properly affable and sympathetic. He pensively rubbed his twitching rabbit’s nose as he intoned the situation to Mr. Corwell, who wriggled in his chair as if it contained tacks. “You know, Mr. Corwell, Sile Weeks is a mighty good fellow, and so are you. When Sile thinks he’s right, he’s set in his way, and you’re that way, too. And what good is a man without a will? Now, as I see it, it’s just a case of each of you thinking he has a just grievance. Sile says that balance was to have been paid upon the completion of the work, three weeks ago. And you consider the work fell short of the stipula- tions, in some slight respects, I believe—” “TI should say so!” puffed the laundry- man indignantly. ‘‘ Only they wa’n’t slight! Take them laths up-stairs—you could throw cats through ’em, an’ dogs—” “The laths held the plaster, didn’t they?” blandly inquired Todd, leaning back in his chair and looking wise. ‘“'Y-yes,” admitted Corwell reluctantly, “but it ain’t as smooth a job as it ought to have been. If I wa’n’t goin’ to paper in the fall, it would make a lot o’ difference.” ‘“ Now I'll tell you,” pursued Evan, lean- ing forward and transfixing Corwell with his bug eyes, ‘“‘ there’s more than one way to skin a cat: all at once or by slow degrees, while she yowls. off your coats and go at each other over at the county-seat, and one of you be beaten, and carry it up, and—’’ “Oh, Lord!” groaned the laundryman, dismayed, “I don’t‘ want to law it. I don’t want no trouble with any one. If never had none before. All I want is my rights, an’ that job—” > “Sile aims to do all right,” alleged the attorney, ‘“‘and he feels the same as you do. And so do I. I could advise hiny a You fellows could take . * Fee = * com ~—— Ecomichbooks