United States or Falkland Islands ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
The reason I remember the occasion is that I met then for the first time two of my friends." She claimed a place immediately. "Who was the other one?" "Captain Chunn." Presently she bubbled into a little laugh. "How did the fight come out? My nurse dragged me into the house." "Don't remember. I know the school principal licked me next day. I had been playing hookey."
"Move we change the subject," suggested Rawson. "Here comes Verden's worst citizen." With a casual nod of greeting round the table Jeff sat down. "Any of you hear James' speech before the Chamber of Commerce yesterday? It was bully. One of his best," he said as he reached for the menu card. Captain Chunn groaned. The rest laughed. Jeff looked round in surprise. "What's the joke?" Part 2
According to the story of the Herald the father of Jefferson, a former convict, was named Robert. But once, when she had made some allusion to it Captain Chunn had exploded into vigorous denial. It was a puzzle the meaning of which she could not guess. "He has several times mentioned his wish to thank you for your kindness," Jeff mentioned. "I'll be glad to meet him."
Captain Chunn was puzzled at the coldness with which Mr. Webber listened to his explanation of what had taken place. The school principal fell back doggedly upon one fact. It would not have happened if Jeff had not been playing truant. Therefore he was to blame for what had occurred. Nothing would be done, of course, without a thorough investigation.
Rogers smiled across at them. "He's left a lot of good friends behind him anyhow. But it's strange he could drop off the earth without a soul knowing about it." "The men who murdered him know about it," Rawson answered significantly. Captain Chunn shook his head. "No, that boy will turn up yet." "But not in time to save us. We're licked. There's not one chance in a million for us.
Jeff forgot his troubles instantly. "I wish I'd been alive to go with father to the war," he cried. Captain Chunn was delighted. "You doggoned little rebel!" "I didn't know we used that word in the South' sir." Chunn tugged at his goatee and laughed. "We're not in the South, David." The former Confederate asked questions to piece out his patchwork information.
Webber, resenting the interference of the Southerner as an intrusion, disposed of the matter in a sentence. "I'll look into this matter carefully, Mr. Chunn." Webber called immediately at the office of Edward B. Merrill, president of the tramway company and of the First National Bank.
"I reckon we can stand it, David." Chunn had no children of his own and he always called Jeff son or David. "By the way, how's that good looking cousin of yours coming out? I see you're giving his speeches lots of space." A light leaped to the eyes of the younger man. "He's doing fine. James is a born orator. Wherever he goes he gets a big ovation." Chunn grunted. "Humph! That'll please him.
Frome and Merrill have got at the big stores and they won't come in with any space worth mentioning." "Damn the big advertisers," exploded Chunn. "I've got two million cold and I'm going to see this thing out, son. That's what I told Frome last week when he had the nerve to have me nominated to the Verden Club. Wanted to muzzle me. Be a good fellow and quit agitating. That was the idea.
"You may depend upon me to do whatever is best about that." James was hardly out of the office before Captain Chunn blew in like a small tornado. He was boiling with rage. "What's this infernal lie about you being the son of a convict, David?" he demanded, waving a copy of the Herald. "Sit down, Captain. I'll tell you the story because you're entitled to it.
Word Of The Day