The Penultimate Trump
By R. C. W. ETTINGER
[Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from
Startling Stories, March 1948.
Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that
the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.]
Harley D. Haworth had been a doughty warrior in the American manner. Many a powerful Wall Street foe had bowed to his strength and thousands of innocent victims had cursed his name. But that was many a misty year ago.
Now even his son was an aged philanthropist and H.D. himself was relegated almost to legend. But at ninety-two the old battler was locked in his most desperate struggle, vainly trying with his failing strength to beat off the grimmest, most relentless of all antagonists.
If the man in the street ever heeded or mentioned this struggle, it was to disinter a corny, dog-in-the-manger joke.
"Old Harley D. Haworth," he would say patronizingly, "is such a guy—if he can't take it with him, he just don't go."