The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1900-10-26
CHAPTER VIII.
The Ideas of the Irishman.


The sensational episode at the con
ventiOn was now almost forgotten, TO,
another year had come and gone. II
was near the end Of 1900. Simon's fam
lily seemed to be prospecting financially
but it was not the happy family that II
was in the days when Winnie occasions
ally came home. She had now been
married over Il year; she no longer bore
the honorable" name of "Grey."
PA" said Anna, Il can't stay away
any longer. I simply must see Vim
ME. It's a downright shame the way
we treat her"
ITS no more than she deserves" said
her father, land what's more, you
won't go to see her either, unless you
wish me to treat you as / treat her.
AS long as her name is Harrington, and
she's on the side of Republicanism,
none who belong TO this family circle
shall ever go to the town she lives in!'
Simon had been so rigid in his ordcrs
that even Cynthia, to keep peace in
the family, had never seen Winnie since
that memorable convention day. But
you could plainly see that trouble was
rooted deep in her soul. She was really
heart-broken, and prayed for the day to
come when Simon would repent.
One evening rs they were seated to-
gether in the parlor, listening to 81
mons explanation of the new political
question, called Expansion" there
came knock at the door.
who could 1t be?' they all whis-
pered, as Jimmie ran to open the door.
as this where Mr.. Simon Grey
lives?" said familiar voice.
well, I'll be gol darned," said Jim
ME, "if 1t isn't Uncle Ezra"
Hearty were the handshakes, and
when Ezra took Simon's hand In his he
held it for n moment, glanced round
the room, and asked in a bewildered
way: "Where's Vinnie?"
"Oh, she's married." said Simon
bravely, but the other eyes in the room
filled with tears
"Oh, yes" he said, II remember now
of you writing about it. ! came very
near never finding you, Simon" he said
laughing. 1.-The old weather-beaten
house, having been painted and en-
larged, made the place look different.
| wasn't sure that you lived here; but
| concluded to call and find out wheth-
er you did or not couldn't find you
at the poor house"
"Great heavens, Ezra, you didn't call
at the poor house to find me-" Simon
said, excitedly. you must have very
poor opinion of me If you did"
Don't be surprised, Simon" said
Cynthia, Eat Ezra expecting to find us
in the poor house. You know we told
him, if Mckinley was elected. we'd
probably go there. have been ashamed
many times of what we said. and the
prophecies we made; but really, we
didn't know any better then"
Ezra Grey laughed. "That's all right,
Cynthia. I'm glad you were mistaken,
for should much rather find you living
I'm your own comfortable home. You
all look well; guess you have had plenty
to eat"
"Of course we have, Uncle Ezra, y
said Jimmie. "Pa used to tell us we'd
starve to death If Mckinley was elect
ed, but gee whiz! we never had so much
pie and cake to eat before. We've got
some money hid around here, too, some
place. beln' that pas afraid TO put it in
the bank. Mad skin me alive II I'd tell
you where we kept it."
Jimmie" said his father, "if you say
any more l shall make you leave the
room; do you hearf"
Reckon do I hain't deaf"
81 tell you. Ere" continued Simon,
sit has been rough diggln' TO make a
livelihood these years. l have had to
use keen management"
"Your mortgage is paid, presumeT'
"Oh, yes. paid that the spring after
you were out here with my wheat
crop"
"And your new house Is paid forT'
Eyes. by the skin OF my teeth. you
might say. Suppose I hadn't ought to
have been % extravagant. for lumber is
dreadful high these gold-bug times."
Nov. simon" said Cynthia. 'dOn't