The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1893-11-25

/ IlSntu through anu ii EchL own Sti u
up. Ike Staples was made rich by the
rise of property and the sale of goods
and was a prominent nan in the young
city. Blocks of buildings had been
erected and business was thriving en-
orally. Again Ike heard from Judson;
this time that he had ventured his
money in n theatrical company and
that there was no chance for anything
but 4 big fortune for him. Thus the
people of Mottville became accustomed
to the idea that Jud Wilnot was a very
rich man and that when he came back
home it would be to start n bank in the
city that had grown up in his absence.
The summer flew by and November
once more came around. A few days
before Thanksgiving a group of idlers
at the new depot saw a stylish young
fellow alight from an afternoon train
and start on foot toward the Wilmot
homestead. Ike Staples was at a little
distance when the stranger passed, but
he recognized him.
"Say. that there young TELLER is judi
son Wilmot,' said he. You bet he
has struck it rich and we will nave a
new bank for sure. Did you notice
them there clothes?"
II was Judson Wilmot, sure enough
He went directly home and had n quiet
talk with his father, asking pardon for
his waywardneSs n year before. His
mother received him of course with
open arms and Matte, who was now
home from school for good. could not
help welcoming her s~pruce-lOoking
brother. Judson also fastened to
make peace with Mandy and her par
ents. All was forgiven and forgotten,
and Mother Wilmot began her prepare
ton for another Thanksgiving dinner,
happy in the belief that the expecta-
tons of the year before would now be
carried out. The Mortons were. of
course, invited, and this time there
was no lack of hilarity.
Come now. judi said his father,
you have been home several days and
yet you haven't told us any of your ex-
perIenees in seeing the world; let zeal
about EN-"
YES, Jud, let's hear what you are
going t o do" said Mr.. Morton; they
saydown to Mottville that you intend
to start a bank: is that a fact?"
We'll. Mr.. Morton, about starting
the bank | can answer that very
promptly; am not going to do SO; as
to what | am going to do. that remains
to be seen. Father" and here Judson
turned squarely to the farmer, "a year
ago to-day | had the big head and
thought | knew it all; | wanted TO see
the world. Well have seen all | want
of it: ! don't want to tell you my ex-
~periences, for you might lose another of
mothers good dinners for laughing at
me. ! want to say this: ] nave never
told n soul that ! had made money, and
all that has been said has come from
Ike Staples, who imagined it was so. l
have told him my experiences while
and the whole town will know
them by now. Father, all | nave in the
world to show for my years absence
and my one thousand dollars is this
suit of clothes and if you will let ne
that west eighty acres l take
these duds off and go to work like a
man."
The usual group were in Ike Staples
on hat same Thanksgiving after
noon.
Well, Ike. how about the new
bank?" asked one.
There amt agoing to be nary new
bank" responded Ike. II sized young
Wilmot up wrong; he amt got no
money; he did make a strike, but arter
that he jist played angel as they
call it. for some theater folks, and he
went broke. He told me hisself that
he had to walk near all the way home
and that all he had wuz hat slick suit
of clothes, and tibet he wuz agoing- to
work that west eighty of the squirrels,
and bet, boys, he wuz as glad to git
hum as | WIZ when my old man of
fered me a dollar a day and board; but
Jud is a good Teller, and he and Mandy
air going TO get spliced between now
and Christmas" j. J. FULLER