The Storyteller.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2125, 26 February 1908, Page 5 (Supplement)

The Storyteller.

A BOOM IN TODDITE. (By Edward. Bolt wood.) In American trade journals and agricultural weeklies one finds the six-line advertisement of “Coe ami Povnter, Inventors’ Agency, New York.” The -agency is lucrative, although l’ovnter has .been heard to allude to it derisively as “The Cranks’ lletreat. 5 Indeed, -the oflices of Coe and Poynter are haunted chiefly Jbv clients whose wits are dubious —men with flying-machines and luminous ink, non-refill able bottles and disappearing cannon, self-sharpening pencils and rain-nuking kites. The lay visitor carries away a general picture of shabby garments, straggling hair.; and the pathos of hungry, hazy eyes. l’athos, however, .found no target in the soul of young Herman Kdler, a clerk at Coe and Boynter’s. Herman was a sullen little rascal, with a shifty

glance and a low forehead. Ills duties .ait ithe agency afforded him much i amusement. They were to inform the unsuccessful patrons of the uselessness of their schemes. One day Mr Coo dropped a 'bundle of papers on Herman's desk. “Turn down this old fossil,” ho ordered. “Throw his out!” The papers had to do with Zachary T. Todd, who was the inventor of an explosive destined, in the inventor’s mind, to put dynamite on tho retired list. Edler might have advised Mr Todd by letter that his explosivo was of no value; but he preferred to do this by means of a .personal interview. ; “I like,” said Herman elegantly, “to see tho Crazy yaps squirm- \\lien they get the harpoon!” The clerk, accordingly, pigeonholed the papers; and in duo time Zachary T. Todd called upon Herman, just as the latter was going to lunch. Zachary was short and spare and stooping. A white imperial failed to strengthen his indecisive chin, and tho aggressive black brim of a military hat was absurdly out of keeping with tho mild, pale blue eyes beneath it. He had a habit of continually bracing back his shoulders, -which insisted immediately upon drooping ' again.—“Failure —-failure —failure!” was tho dreary record written plain on Zachary Todd. Edler chuckled. “I’ll have some fun with this lobster!” he'thought; and he instructed Mr Todd to return at two o’clock. Edler was still chuckling at the

remembrance, of tbe old man’s eagerly wistful face wlien lie almost ran into an individual who was standing oh tire curb outside the office-. ' ' ' ' ?- 11. “Hollo, brother Edler,” said the stranger. “Name of Bailey. Been waiting for you. Bailey—l was mixed .up in a submarine-boat business/’ . “All—ha !” vouchsafed Edler. “Had your feed?” pursued Bailey . affably. “What do you say we grub together?” t Edler eyed his escort. Bailey was erect, wiry, land middle-aged, w ill curved nose and a chin that juttid sternly up to meet it. Edler had an odd feeling that the man had taken possession of him—a feeling whi;h , was intensified when Bailey hooked a sinewy hand in his elboiw and steered him into a dingy restaurant. They took seats, Bailey spoke to the waiter, and then he silently presented a card to his guest. “ ‘Captain Antonio Bailey,’ ” read Herman, “/accredited agent, United States of Parana.’ "Where are those, cap?” he inquired. “They ain’t anywhere, yet,” said the captain. “They are going to be—some time. South American revolution snap. I’m buying tbe equipment.” He. gave .Edler a sheiaf of faded newspaper clippings. They had to do with the exploits of “Dynamite Tony” Bailey when landing munitions of war on the Cuban coast. . “This you?” queried Edler. “That’s me, friend.” Bailey leaned back in his chair. “I’ll match you for fifty dollars,” he announced.

“What?” gasped Edler, jumping The captain twirled a. coin on the mottled cloth. “You call tails, Edler?” ,f No!” protested .Herman. “1 don't. Not lay a ” “Tails it is,” resumed the captain, imperial rhahly. “You win.” He tossed a yellow bank-bill on Editor's Jala to. Herman fingered the bill, hie understood, being not un--1 wise in the methods of artistic bribery. • - “I win,” lie echoed, and pocketed tho fifty dollars quietly. “Well, cap?” Tho captain settled into Ills chair, while tho waiter placed a dish between them. “Well,” said Bailey, apportioning the stew, “there's a crazy old rooster coming (to Coe and Poyncr’s under the appellation of Zachary T. Todd. He’s been working all his life on a near explosive—todalite. It’s no good. I want to sell it to the United iStites of Parana.” “Go ahead, then,” put in Edler. “I guess Todd wouldn’t kick a whole lot.” “Todd’s been approached by a friend of mine',” the captain said. “Todd won’t bargain or budge without the advice of Coe and Poynter. Now wind's the matter .with your giving it to him?” “Fake advice?” “Sure,” assented Bailey. “Todd believes your a member of the firm.” “Risky,” commented Killer. “Risky?” sniffed the other scorn-

fully. “I'll cover your tracks, and mine too. Todd’s half looney. It’s a cinch.” “But if the stuff is no good,” objected Hoi man , “how can you—lioiw can we pull off a sale?” “The sale be jiggered !’’ said Bailey. “The sale is made now—except for Todd. Them South American dagoes of mine have seen .a test o,f toddite, unbeknownst ,to Zachary. They think it’s the best ever, just because it makes a devil of a noise, t Teckon —there ain’t no other reason. "Well, I didn’t tell ’em contrary. iSow they’ve sailed off on a; hurry call, and they’ve left me good cash for to buy the exclusive rights to toddito with.” Edler whistled significantly. “Xotuanti me . have, five tbonsniul

111. All .hour la tor. Edler was holding a surreptitious conference with Zachary Todd. “Yes, sir, it’s an almighty secret business,” observed Herman, alter directing .the. inventor of toddito to Dynamite Tony’s hotel. “Don’t come around here any more. Air Todd. You see, the agents of the other governments are watching us, and ” Todd's gaunt throat twitched convulsively. “Is this a gov’incut affair P” he murmured; and Edler gave a hasty nod. “Don’t ask any questions, nil'. Todd," he advised. “Lord [’'whispered Zachary. “Twenty years, a'most. I’ve hung 'round Washin'ton, waitin’ fer thisl AYhat’s the jiamo of the NYashin’tou agent— Bailey ! J ” Ho braced his narrow shoulders and walked away proudly. Edler, seized bv a brilliant inspiration, dashed to a telephone booth. “Say, cap.” he told .Bailey over the wire, “Todd’s biting, good and hard. He’s got a crazy idea, he’s dealing with the government. AYhwt? Yes, Uncle iSam. Well, we’d hotter let him think so. That gives us an excuse for the secrecy g ig.” In the evening Bailey recounted to Edler some features of his.afternoon's interview with Todd which puzzled him.

•"‘Tile okl bird is ornery,” said Bailey. “First crack, lie asks me if I was acting for .the United States. I said ‘yes’ \ and so I am, too—the United States of Parana. I didn’t give that away, you bet. When Todd hoard mo say ‘United States’ he went into a .trance. 1 drove it into his head how 1 was going out to his workshop • on Long Island to-morrow and buy tlie goods, if satisfactory. You must .take a day off and come along.” '

An hour’s ride on the railroad and half an hour’s trudge afoot brought the two swindlers to .the manufactory of itoddite. It was a. small wooden building, solitary in: a sandy Long Island barren. They descried Zachary leaning .against a tall flag-post, “1 expect that ipoor old fool is flying that ilag for to salute the United States agent,” laughed Bailey. “Yonder’s the testing pit.” “There’s no sense in doing any testing,” remarked Herman. “No, but- wo might as well make a bluff at it,” said the captain. “But wlmt’s the price? Would you offer him three thousand? That leaves two for us.” “Offer him one,” amended Ed'ler promptly. “That leaves four.” Todd’s worn face seemed to be set in a glorified smile as lie welcomed his visitors. On- the rickety table was a little ipaper bag of cheap cigars which he proudly offered with, eager hospitality. Bailey winked'at Herman .and filled his pocket. The room was uncarpeted] and bare. At the rear a- door led to a ,sleep ing-ap a rtment-, similarly desolate “Shall we go to the labber.tory, gentlemen?” Todd proposed. “Guess I’ll stay here in the office,” said -Edler. Left .alone, Herman looked idly about him. He noted with, satisfaction the signs of dismal poverty, and decided that one thousand dollars w,as quite enough to offer Zachary. Then he applied himself to the inventor’s cigars, while an occasional banging report in the distance told of the test of tocldite. At length the capain and Zachary returned. An air of formality prevailed. Todd’s excited breathing was audible. “Mr Edler,” began the captain, “as Mr. Todd’s attorney, you’ll be glad to kno-w the—the Government’s going ,to buy. There’s one condition —secrecy! The deal goes through me personally, like I was a private buyer. ’Cause why ? Toddite’s going to be used for harbor defence. Now, if foreigners ever know the United States has got it —’ ’ “I see—l’ll never say a. word,” interposed the old man hoarsely. ; _i. “I’m buying your formulas and exclusive right to manufacture,” explained Dynamite Tony. “Wliat, price?” Herman caught Bailey’s eye, and covertly held up one finger behind Todd’s back; but Todd would hardly have seen .the finger had it been thrust in his face. .'He stood up suddenly.

“No price, Captain Bailey 1” lie criccl.

“You won’t soli?” snouted the captain ; and Edler smothered fan oath. “I won’t soil,” said Zachary triumphantly. “I’ll giro! You get toddito for nothing!” IV. “Wlmt arc you doing—guying us?” fumed Bailey. “I’ll tell you what I’m doing,” commenced Todd. “Light up. It goes hack quite a way. It goes hack a hundred years, a’most, ’oauso father lie fought agin the Mexicans, and his father before him agin the Britishers at Lundy’s Lane. Father set great store by soldierin’. Ho named mo after his own general— Zachary Taylor.” “Who over heard of him?” complained Edler. “When the war comes along in ’61,” proceeded Todd, “father, he went, and my brother Winfield Scott, lie went. They made Win a corporal before he died of fever in Libby. Father was just a private when he was shot dead at Gettysburg.” “Oli, rats!” groaned Herman. “Now, about signing over your formulas, Mr. Todd —” “My old man was shot dead at Gettysburg,” broke in Dynamite Tony, rather gently. “And where’d you get shot, Todd?” jeered EdTer. Todd smiled humbly. “Nowheres,” he said. “They wouldn’t take me into the army. They was ta.kin’ younger’)! me ; but J was always kind o’ sickly, and the musterin’ off’cers wouldn't take me. I tried —I. dunno how many times. Folks joked me about it. I wanted to do somethin’ for th' old flag; but the olf’cers wouldn’t take me.” Bailey rose from his seat and stared out of the window. “Yes, sir, I did want to. do somethin’ for tlr old flag,” reiterated Zachary. “I got to thinkin’ that if I couldn’t do nothin’_jme way, , 1

this powder, tin’s toddito. I took it’ to Wash in'toil. Tlho folks there ikiml o’ made fan of me. Well, I’ve .boon at it ever .since, workin’ and improvin', I never got any wliiub you'd call encouragement till now. But there —I never meant to sell. No, sir, this is just my gift to my flag. J don’t need no money. You see, I’ve got no kin, and there’s a real nice place yonder 1 can live in *wlmit little livin’ I’ve got to do. It’s a—a sort of institoolion.”

“Dang it, do you moan tflio poorhouso?” oxclaimod Edlor irritably. “It's a real nice place,” Todd muttered .

Herman bit his lip, and the captain, turning, frowned blackly at Todd, who looked from ono t-o 'the other .with a faint flicker of suspicion. “Didn’t, moan to bother you,” he said. “Wanted to bo wire gov’ment understands.” His cracked voice rose to 'a quivering falsetto. “Coo and l’oy liter’ll guarantee that, .won't they, Mr. Edler?” “I’m guaranteeing everything,” said Herman, and laughed unpleasantly. ' ' “Thank you,” mumbled Todd. “I’ll fetch my papers.” Choking with gratitude, he hurried into the bedroom. Bailey was at Edward’s shoulder in one stride. “ ’Twon’t do,” growled the captain. “This United States Government racket wOn’t do.” “Why?” demanded Edler. “Toll him we’vo boon lying to him, and he’ll have a fit. He’s crazy, but lie’s happier’n lie’s been all his life. .Dynamite Tony growled again and returned to tho window. “Here’s the formulas and specifications, Captain Bailey,” said Zachary, fluttering a grimy manuscript lovingly. . . “There’s nothin’ for mo to sign, is there, circumstances bein’ as they are?” Elder slapped a legal document on tho table, to which Todd affixed a shaky signature. “Deed of transfer, runnin’ from you to Antonio Bailey,” proclaimed tho clerk. Antonio Bailey enclosed the specifications and tlicdced with an elastic band, and snapped the rubber thoughtfully. Then he became deeply concerned in the possibility of digging his toe through a crack in the floor. Then lie spoko again.

“Well, Mr Todd,” said the captain, “you’re free 'to give the United States the greatest explosive of the age, the most valuable—” “Greajtesti grandmother!” expostulated Elder, startled beyond discretion. “You know it aint worth—’ ’

“Sit down!” roared Dynamite Tony, and lio turned again to old Zachary, -whose poor, weak brains were utterly mystified. “The United States will take your powder as a gift,” Bailey said. “Don’t, fret—l’ll fix it. But there’s another thing I’ll fix,too. The Government can’t stand for you being in the poorliouse.” He drew a roll of yellow bills from his pocket, “There’ll be as much money as this here, Mr Todd, put in the village bank for you before long. Five thousand dollars. Call it a .testimonial if you like, and take it or leave it, but there it’ll be. And don’t you thank me either.” Ho stalked to the door, and Elder shuffled after, wondering and indignant. Todd’s grey head was on the table; he was weeping contentedly.

“My ,bnt you arc easy!” snarled Edler, as he and' Bailey decended “the steps of the little bank of Long Island village. “Don’t lean too strong on that, son,” said the captain, you’ll see, my father set a great store on soldiering for the flag, like Todd’s did. If ever I find out you’ve told Todd his powder is no good, and so on, you’ll think I’m the oneasiest whirhvhind that could hit you.” Toddite never accomplished the establishment of the United States of Parana in South America. Toddite will never accomplish anything whatever; but on pleasant Saturdays an old, feeble-witted man, with white imperial and stooping shoulders, walks the Battery and smiles proudly at Fort Jay and the blue waters of New York Harbor. He believes in his mind that they arc protected by a miraculous oxplosivo of which the secret is locked fast in the breasts of a few patriotic defenders of his country. He believes he is one ofthem, and his eye glistens with happiness.