Part 29 (2/2)
MR. JOSEPH MILLER:
DEAR SIR AND FRIEND:--I have this evening, with great pain, learned that you have left this place, and, moreover, have heard explained the reasons which prompted that course on your part. It would be a lack of candor on my part not to inform you that I sincerely deplore the wrong which you have done yourself and us. At the same time I believe that the real date of the wrong was when you permitted yourself first to engage in stock gambling. This world is framed on a foundation of perfect justice. The books of the Infinite always exactly balance. In the beginning it was decreed that man should have nothing except what he earned. It was meant that the world's acc.u.mulations of treasures--in money, in brain, in love, or in any other material that man holds dear--should, from day to day, and from year to year, represent simply the honest effort put forth to produce the treasure.
Men have changed this in form. Some men get what they have not earned; but the rule is inexorable and cannot be changed. The books must balance.
So when one man gets more than his share, the amount has to be made up by the toil of some other man or men. This last is what you have been called upon to do, and, naturally, you suffer.
But I acquit you of any sinister intention toward us. So do we all. Your fault was when you first attempted to set aside G.o.d's law. You may recall what was said a few nights ago. ”The decree which was read at Eden's gate is still in full force, and behind it, just as of old, flashes the flaming sword.”
We have thoughtfully considered your case. The unanimous conclusion is that you should at once return; that here among friends and acquaintances, with the heavy work which is going on, you have a far better opportunity to recover your lost ground than you possibly could among strangers.
Moreover, you are familiar with this lode and the manner of working these mines. You are likewise accustomed to this climate, hence I conclude that your chances against accident or disease would be from fifteen to twenty per cent. in favor of your returning.
In conclusion, I beg, without meaning any offense, but on the other hand, with a sincere desire to serve you, to say that I have a few hundred dollars on hand, enough perhaps to cover all your indebtedness here. If you would care to use it, it shall be yours, _in hearty welcome_, until such time as you can conveniently return it.
I beg, sir, to subscribe myself your friend and servant,
JAMES BREWSTER.
”G.o.d bless you, Brewster,” said Harding impetuously.
”That is a boss lether,” said Corrigan.
”I could not do better than that myself,” was Ashley's comment.
”It is a diamond drill, and strikes a bonanza on the lower level,” said Carlin.
”The formation is good, the pay chute large, the trend of the lode most regular, the grade of the ore splendid,” said the Professor.
Wright said: ”It is a good letter, sure.”
”It reads as I fancy the photographs of the Angels of Mercy and Justice look when taken together,” suggested Alex.
The Colonel remarked that the letter established the fact that Brewster was not so bad a man as he looked to be.
What should be sent to Miller was next discussed again. It was finally determined that all the letters should be sent except Harding's; that he should rewrite his, and instead of sending the certificate of deposit, should, like Corrigan, instruct Miller to draw on him if he needed money, and that any such drafts should be shared by the whole Club.
Then the money to pay the bills was raised among the old members of the Club, and placed in Carlin's hands to be paid out next day.
When all was finished a sort of heaviness came upon the company. There was an impression of sorrow upon them. They had been happy in their innocent enjoyment, but suddenly one who was a favorite, who was at heart the most generous one of the company, had failed them, and they brooded over the change.
At length Harding roused himself and said: ”Miller must be sleeping somewhere down in the desert to-night. I wish I could call to him by telephone and bring him back.”
”That reminds me,” said Alex, ”of something that I heard of yesterday.
Down at the Sisters' Academy there is a telephone. There is a little miss attending that school, and every morning at a certain hour there is a ring at a certain house down town. The response goes back, 'Who is it?' and then the conversation goes on as follows: 'Is that you, papa?'
'Yes!' 'Good morning, papa!' 'Good morning, little one.' 'Is mamma there?' 'Yes.' 'Say good morning and give my love to mamma.' 'Yes.'
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