The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1875-04-29
SILAS DRONSON'S OIL INVEST
MENT.
BY ERSKINE NJ. HAMILTON.

BY ERsKINE NJ. HAMILTON.
"Well.' drawled Silas in his weak, un-
certain way, maybe don't know beans
folks say don't, an more'd likely they
know; but then faint my fault if don't.
| WAS born that way an l don't see as how
kin help it."
Mr.. Silas Bronson was standing on his
portco, or what passed for one, when he
uttered the above. The house to which
the portico belonged was lettering, tum-
ble,;loun affair. very much awry, and
looking not unlike man intoxicated who
is uncertain about his standing in the
world. And the surroundings were in
keeping with the house. The fences
seemed to possess the same helplessness,
and struggled about without regard to di-
vision lines, while the garden patch was
laid out with the mathematical precision
@ot chaos.
"No, faint my fault" continued Silas;
81 did the best knew how witlrsthe
money"
NO. We didn't" answered Mrs. Bron-
son, sharply, from within the house. Mrs
Bronson, a care-worn, sharp featured
woman, seemed to be greatly disturbed
and her fingers worked nervouslv as she
gathered up the few dinner dishes. aye
did know better. Ne had sense enough to
know your family were out of clothes, the
house an place needed fxin' up, an We
kept prOmisin' ye'd get all these things
when we got some money. But We didn't
get the money an we never would have got
ii If Providence, as it were, hadn't a Just
chucked it into your face by that uncle
dyin' off there in California an leavin' We
thousand dollars. And then, like born
idiot, You must needs give it all to Judge
Fay to sink in that oil we'll of his n, where
yell never hear ont again.
Well, did as we'll as l could" again
pleaded silaS.
"Of course We did aceNn' emphasized
Mrs. Bronson, with an unconscious pun
"That old oil we'll will keep the money
safe enough, reckon; yell never get it
back"
Then Mrs. Bronson said no more, and
Siias was quite willing to keep silent on a
dlsagreeable subject: A well-meaning but
shiitless man was Mr.. Bronson, not in
clincd to work, with little knowledge of
business, and no practical sense to direct
what knowledge he had. On Mrs. Bron.
son fell the real burden, and had it not
been fer her~sa gacity and executive ability
poor Silas would have Jared badly. In
spite of her efforts, however, the fortunes
of the family We're getting at low ebb,
and her complaints of her husbands anna
bic Inability were becoming frequent
more frequent than Silas liked.
Don't be always a-frettin'. Maria" he
said, one day "Luck's agin us, allow,
but it'll change poky SOON"
Not snless We work fort" answered
Maria, not rclishing such serene resigna.
ton. They do say that Providence takes
care of lazy people and fools, but don't
set no great store on't''
But luck'' did change after while.
An uncle of Mr.. Bronson died convenient
ly, off in California, and, among other be-
quests, left 81 600 to his nephew Then
Mrs. Bronson's face frightened. Visions
OF home fixed up, of comfortable cloth
ing for herself and family, began to fit
before her eyes. But they proved to be
only visions after all. When the letter
came containing the long looked for check
Silas went up to the village bank to get the
money, and there he fell in with certain
Judge Fay. That smooth, glib-tongued
Spectator met Silas just as he was coming
out OF the bank and Immediately button
holed him.
"Halloo, Bronson! How do you do?
Glad to meet you; just the man 1 wanted
to see.''
Pooty we'll, thank ye," answered 81.
las, smiling weakly. He felt considerable
awe of the Judge and began to wonder
what possible business that great man
could have with him. But the Judge did
not seem to notice his embarrassment; he
locked arms with Silas and began talking
in very familiar and confidential man.
ner as they walked along.
How are your family, Bronson? BY
the way, those are mighty smart children
of yours-mighty smart. Wish mine
were equally so. My children frequently
speak of that little boy of yours; they at.
tend the same SCHOOL,
" haven't any boys; they're all girls;
its Jennie, maybe, We mean," mildly sug-
gested Silas.
"Oh-yes! Jennie; so it is. Strange
/ should forget the name when have
heard it so Oiten," answered the Judge.
flushing little. And then as they came
to small building on corner he added,
Here's my Office, Bronson. Come in a lit.
tie while, want to see you"
Still wondering, Silas obeyed. If the
Judge had asked him to take off his boots
it is probable he would have done so. He
entered the Office as requested and sal
down in an awkward way by the stove
and stretched out his hands toward it as il
he were cold. To be sure it was a warm
day and there was no fire in the stove
but then Silas didn't know what else to do
SO he did that while he awaited the Judges
pleasure.
"Quite a cosy little office have here,
haven't II" queried the latter gentleman
pleasantly. "Take a cigar, Bronson, ,
producing a case. perhaps they are MOI
as good as you are accustomed to, bu
they are imported, and think them very
fine.''
silas meekly accepted a cigar, lighted
it, and then said, "They are very nice''-
applying the remark to both Office and
cigar.
For few minutes the Judge puffet
away in silence.
"That was comfortable little windfal
you had-your uncle dying off there in
California and leaving you that money
he said at last.
Eyes" answered Silas, beginning t
feel complacent. "Toler'ble nice it'll.
pile on't-a thousand dollars. Got it THU
mornin'."
ITO be sure it is not very large sun
for a man of your MEANS" continued th>
Judge; but it is nice to get such things
and it will do to get suit Of clothes and
tew knick- knacks, maybe. And tha,
makes ME think, Bronson-where IL Il
VIM Faty x,,,r <,lDt1,oee