Kootenai County Republican. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1899-1903, 1900-11-02
CHAPTER VIII.
The Ideas Of the Irishman.

The Ideas of the Irishman.
vention was now almost forgotten, for
another year had come and gone. 1t
was near the end Of 1900. Simon's fam
lily seemed to be prospecting financially,
but it was not the happy family that 1t
was in the days when Winnie occasion
ally came home. She had now been
married over 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 downright shame the way
we treat her"
cts 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 l treat ner.
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 oc,lers
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 as they were seated to-
gether in the parlor, listening to 81
mons explanation of the new political
question, called "expanison," there
came a knock at the door.
who could it be-" they all whis-
pered, as Jimmie ran to open the door,
is this where Mr.. Simon Grey
lives?" said familiar voice.
well, I'll be gol darned.' said jim
mic. "if it isn't Uncle Ezra"
Hearty were the hand shakes, and
when Ezra took Simon's hand in his he
held 1t for a moment, glanced round
the room, and asked in a bewldered
way: where's Winnie"
"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. l 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 ont wbeth
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 mc," Simon
said, excitedly. You must have a very
poor opinion of me If you did"
Don't be surprised, Simon" said
cynthia, "at Ezra expecting to find us
In the poor house. You know We told
him. II 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
In your own comfortable home. You
all look well; guess you have had plenty
to eat"
"Of course we have. Uncle Ezra "
said Jimmie. PA used to tell rs 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. bein' that pas afraid to put II in
the bank. Mad skin me alive If ia toll
yen where we kept IT."
Jimmie said his father. ..if Won saw
any more shall make YOU leave tho
room: do you hear?"
Reckon do. hain't deaf"
Il tell you, Ezra" continued Simon
III has been rough diggin' to make \
livelihood these years have had to
use keen management"
our mortgage is paid. l presume >.
'oh. yes. paid that the spring after
you were out here with nv wheat
crop" e"'
And your new house is paid for,~
Yes, by the skin Of my teeth. von
might say. Suppose l hadn't oueht "a
have been so extravaganza. for lumber !.
dreadful high these gold-bug times.
New. Simon" said Cynthia. don't