The Bemidji pioneer., 1900-10-25
CHAPTER VIII,
The Ideas of the Irishman.

! j ~ 81 Z.
The Ideas of the Irishman.
The sensational episode, at the con-
vention was now almost forgotten, for
another year had come and gone. 1t
was near the end OF 1900. Simon's fam
ily seemed to be prospering 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 a year; she no longer bore
the honorable" name of Grey"
PA" said Anna, Il can't stay away
any longer. simply must see Vim
ME. It's a downright shame the way
we treat her."
''It's no more than she deserves" said
her father, ''and what's more, you
won't 60 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 Republcanism,
none who belong to this family circle
shall ever go to the town she lives iu"
Simon had been SO rigid In his orders
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 ST.
mons explanation OF the new political
question, called expansion there
came q knock ut the door.
'Who could 1t be?" they all whls-
pered, as Jimmie ran to open the door.
rs this where Mr.. Simon Grey
lives?" said familiar voice.
"Well, I'll be gol darned,' said JIM
mie, III 1t isn't Uncle Ezra"
Hearty were the hand-shakes, and
when Ezra took Simon's hand In his he
held 1t for moment, glanced round
the room, and asked In 'bewildered
way: where's WINNER"
"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 1t. came very
near never finding you, Simon" he said
laughing. "The old weather-beaten
house, having been painted and en-
larged, made the place look different.
I 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, yon didn't call
at the poor house to find mer Simon
said. excltedly. 'You must have a very
poor opinion Of me II you did"
I "Don't be surprised, Simon" said
Cynthia, "at Ezra expecting to find us
in the poor house. You know we told
him, If Mckinley was elected. we'd
probably 60 there. have beer 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
JtuA cW ~ lOu
all look well; guess you have had plenty
to eat" ..s.
"Of course we have, Uncle Ezra
said Jimmie. "Pa used to tell us we'd
starve to death IL 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 1t 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 shall make you leave the
room; do you hear?" .5-.r.: {. T.
Reckon / do. hain't deaf" r.
II tell you, Ezra" continued Simon,
'tit has been rough diggin' to make a
livelihood these years. have had to
use keen management"
'sYour mortgages is paid, presumer'
"Oh, yes paid that the spring after
you were out here with my wheat
crop" Nix s
aAnd your new house Is paid for?'
Eyes, by the skin of my teeth, You
might say. Suppose hadn't ought to
have been so extravagant, for lumber ls
dreadful high these gold-bug times''
"Now, slmoni" said Cynthia, don't