Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1899-11-16

Beat Him OFT.
Reuben and Lucien Bradley were
born and reared on a Michigan farm.
This farm had been cut from the
woods by the father, and endless toll
had been expended In bringing IL to a
state Of fair productiveness. But even
when the boys became Of age II pro-
duced only scant living for the fam
lily.
The problem OF a livelihood and a
vocation forced itself upon Reuben ana
Lucien. They were strong, steady and
industrious. and had. been graduated
from the village school. The father
was not able to set them up In busl-
ness They knew 1t and did not COM
plain. He had done the best he could
Reuben was tired of the country. He
went to town and apprenticed himself
to harness maker. Against the adj
vice of his young friends Lucien
bought sixty acres Of land and ran in
debt for it,
In year Reuben was earning VI
day. After the days work he wore a
white shirt because other people did,
not because they were more comforta-
BILE. He had no debts. Lucien had fair
crops. but they yielded little more than
enough to pay interest on the mort
gage. He wore ragged shirt and
patched breeches and cowhide boots
People said thst Reuben was making
a gentleman of himself and learning a
trade in the bargain.
In two years Reuben had completed
his apprenticeship. He was now earn
ing so week. He boarded in house
that had fancy veranda and green
blinds. His clothes improved. Lucien
was still ragged, but he paid his inter-
est and $500 on his principal. People
said that Reuben was bound to come to
the front.
Reuben became foreman of the shop
at $50 a month. He bought house
and lot on the installment plan and
paid for it within five years. The
country people called upon him and
ate dinner when they went to town.
Lucien paid off the mortgage and own
ed the farm. People said that Reuben
and Lucien were good citizens.
In ten years more Reuben was still
foreman of the shop. He received the
same wages. He lived in the same
house. He wore the same cut of shirt
and the same kind of pointed shoes.
He smoked Havana cigars. Lucien
built a new house and barn. He had
a good carriage and driving horse.
He smoked pipe. The neighbors saw
that every year he made some improve
ment on the farm. The barn was full
of tools. He wore a white shirt when
he went to town and he had pair Of
button shoes. People said that Lucien
was becoming n prominent man; and
his word was good at the bank.
Reuben began to complain that har-
ness making was too combining. His
health was breaking down. The pro-
prietor of the shop was selfish and
would not die and leave the business
to him. Harness making was not
what it used to be. He went fishing
when he wanted to. Reuben came out
now and then to spend Sunday. The
birds seemed to sing more sweetly than
ever before, and the grass was green
er. Lucien Endorsed Reuben's note.
Lucien has pigs and cows and sheep
and chickens and turkeys and horses.
He raises potatoes and beans and corn
and wheat and garden stuff and
fruits. He buys his groceries, tobacco
and clothes. Reuben buys everything.
At the close of the year Lucien puts
500 to $500 in the bank or he takes a
trip to Boston. Reuben does well II
he comes out even. Lucien does not
fret. Reuben grumbles.-Professor l..
II. Bailey of Cornell University in the
Review of Reviews.