The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1877-04-12

quiringly, and asked in a very thii
voice,
Isn't Fred here?"
| Fred started from the Squire's side
| but the store-keeper arrested his pro
gress with both hands, and fixing hi
eyes on Fred's necktie, whispered,
"You don't think Tn to blame, d,
you?"
"Why-no-I don't see how, exact
ly,o said Fred, endeavoring to escape
Fred whispered the Squire, tight
ening his hold on the lapels of Fred:
coat, 'tell him so, won't you? I'll bt
your best friend forever if you will
it's dreadful to think of man going
up to God with such an idea on his
mind, even if it is a mistake. Oh
course when he gets there he'll find
out he's wrong, ii he is, as"
Fred broke away from the store.
keeper, and wedged himself between
the doctor and pastor. Doughty with
drew his wrist from the Doctors fin.
gers, extended cold hand, and
smiled
Fred" said he, 1--WE used to be
chums when we were boys. / never
took an advantage of you, did I?n
Never" said Fred; ''and We'll
have lots of good times again, old fell
low. I've just bought the best spring
wagon in the State, and I'll drive you
all over the country when you get
well enough"
Georges smile became slightly grim
as he replied: II guess Barker's
hearse is the only spring wagon I'll
ever ride in again, my boy"
Nonsense, George!n exclaimed
Fred heartily. How many times
have | seen you almost dead, and then
put yourself together again Don't
you remember the time when you gave
out in the middle of the river, and
then picked yourself up, aud swan
the rest of the waye Don't you re-
member the time we got showed in
on Raccoon Mountain, and we both
gave up and got ready to die, and how
you not only came to, but dragged me
home besides? The idea of .yon ever
dying! l wish you'd sent for me
when you first took the silly notion
into your head"
Doughty was silent for II moment;
his eyes frightened little, and faint
flush came to his checks; he looked
fondly at his wife, and then at his
he tried to raise himself in
his bed but in II minute his smile de-
parted, his pallor returned, and he
said in the thinnest OF voices:
"It's no use, Fred ; in those days
there was something in me to call
upon at Il pinch now there isn't a
thing. | haven't any time to spare,
Fred: what want to ask is, keep an
eye on my boys, for old acquaintance
sake. Their mother will be almost
everything to them, but she can't be
to know about their ways
men. | want somebody to care
enough for them to see that they don't
make the mistakes I've madc.n
A sudden rustic and heavy step
was heard, and Squire Tomple APP
preached the bedside, exclaiming,
"IH do that -
"Thank YOU, Squire" said George
feebly, 'but you're not the right man
to do it.''
GEORGE said the Squire, raising
his voice, and unconsciously raising
his hand, "I'll give them the best
business chances that can be had |
can do it, for Pm the richest man in
this town."
"You gave me the best chance in
town, Squire, and this is what has
come of it, said Doughty.
The Squire precipitately fell back
md against his old place by the wall.
Doughty continued:
Erred, persuade them-tell them
hat | said so-that business that
makes them drink to keep up isn't
business at all-it's suicide. Tell them
hat their father, who was never drunk
n his life, got whiskey to help him
Ise more of himself, until there wasn't
left to use. Tell them that
for strength means discount
ng the future, and that discounting
he future always means getting ready
ior bankruptcy"
"I'll do it, old fellow" said Fred,
who had been growing very solemn of
sistage.
"They shan't ask you for any mon
~, Fred" explained Doughty, when
he Sluire's voice was again heard
saying,
And they shan't refuse it from
me-"
"Thank you, Squire said George.
do think you owe it to them, but l
guess they've good enough stuff in
hem to refuse it,"
George" said the Squire, again ap-
,roaching the bedside, Pm going to
continue your salary to your wife un-
i'll your boys grow big enough to help
ler. You know I've got plenty of
hurt me; for Gods
'aiSe make her promise to take it,"
"She won't need it," said Doughty.
My life is insured.
"Then what can do for her-for
hem-for you?" asked the Squire.
George, you're holding your-sick-
less-against me, and l want to make
I right. l can't say believe I've
lone wrong by you, but you think
nave, and that's enough to make me
want to restore good feeling between
Is before-in case any thing should
happen. Anything that money can
10, it shall do"
"Offer it to God Almighty. Squire,
md buy my life back again" said
Doughty. "If you can't do that, your
money isn't good for anything in this
house."
The doctor whispered to his patient
hat he must not exert himself so
much; the Squire whispered to the
ioctor to know what else man in his