Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1888-10-04

had his food and lodging, and two
suits of clothes a year. to be sure. but
all he actually daOns is that c6lly dog
which is always at his heels. You
even sosd the only horse you had that
was fit for the saddle. And George
was extraordinarily fond of Vixen"
cit seemed pity to keep a horse
that no one but George ever rode"
said the farmer, 'sand she was too light
for work. I'm poor man, Hester, and
cane afford playthings for my chill
dren.''
"You can better afford to keep an
extra horse than to have your son leave
you, Eli. Whom could you get who
would take the interest in the work
chat George does? You have thought
IL only right that George should do
his share toward running the farm, and
have considered your duty done in
giving him home. You are disposed
| 70 think him ungrateful because he
wants 80 leave you. now that every year
| makes his services more valuable. But
the boy is ambitious and is not salts
fed TO travel in a circle. He wants to
make some Roadway. And it Is only
natural"
The farmer leaned his head on his
hand, Took Of deep thought on his
! tie sister-in-law's plain speaking had
given rise TO thoughts which had new
! er before entered his mind.
| 81 believe you're more'n half right,
I Hester" he said at last. "I'll think it
| all over tonight. and make up my
| mind what TO do. I'd be lost here
| without George. and he sha'nt leave
| the farm if can help il"
sForce Won't keep him. Ell, remember
that" and Mrs. Lucas, feeling that she
had said enough. folded up her work,
and taking q lamp from a shelf by the
/ stove, went up stairs to her own room.
just at day-break she was reused
from a sound sleep by the sound of q
horses hoofs in The yard, and looking
| out Of Che window she saw Eli trotting
away on old Roam.
: ."Where can he be going as this
| hour?" she thought.
When she went down stairs at six
| o'clock, George was standing by the
I kitchen table, having just come in
with tw Q full pals of milk. His face
wore Q, discontinued, unhappy look.
and he merely nodded in return for his
aunt s CHEEKY .'Good morning."
! A few moments later his father en-
tered, but George, who had gone to
one of the windows, and was looking
out dcjectedly, did not even glance up.
sYou were out early; Eli" said Mrs.
Lucas. Il heard you ride away at
day-break."
eyes. went to Pine Ridge on q
matter OF business"
"That's where you sold Vixen, papa,
isn't itP" asked little Harry. and Mrs.
Lucas saw a CULVER pass over Georges
face as the child spoke.
eyes, my boy, sold Vixen to Law
yer Stanley. George" turning to his
son, 'I've made up my mind to part
with chat fifty-acre lot by the river.
What do you think Of that?"
1 s'Of course you are to get good
price for it, SIR" said the young man,
indifferently. "It's the best piece OF
land you have.''
"But haven't sold it. I'm going TO
give it away"
"Give it away" repeated George,
l reused out of his Indifference, and star
ing at his father as if he thought he
had not heard Alright.
1 eyes, deed it over, every inch Of It,
to some one think great deal of, and
who deserves it, laying his hand on
his sons shoulder, and his voice break
ing little. 81 am going to give it to
my son, George Hardwood. 20 nave and
to hold as he sees fit, without question
Or advice"
s'To me! You intend to give that
| fifty acres to me, father!'
eyes. my boys and with my whole
heart. You've been good son,
George, and only wish were able to
do more for you. But I'm not a rich
man. as you know, and I have your
mother and the three little ones to
provide for, too. Still, want you to
have start, and this fifty acre lot will
yield you a handsome profit. You can
have days in the week to call your
own, and that will give you chance to
work it, and if you choose to break in
that pair of young oxen bought the
other day from Bagley, you can have
them for your trouble"
s'This-this seems too much, sir,''
stammered George. II don't know
how to thank YOU"
TOO much! Then I don't know
what you'll say to this" and the
farmer took his SON by the arm and led
him out on the porch. There's
another present for you, my boy"
..Vixen!' The word came from
Georges lips with a long sigh of Joy,
and with one bound he was at the side of
the little black mare he had never
thought to see again, and had both