The Savannah morning news., 1901-05-12

of his errand that, going down stairs, he
heard his father arguing vehemently with
a man in the workshop. He waited out
side until the man had gone. But Mr..
Hombach, pursuing a. habit he sometimes
INDUCED in, continued to demolish the ar
gument of his vanished opponent.
You are wrong!" he vociferated, "the
present need of the country"
Father" Interrupted a clear, bese ech-
ing voice; Miss Elizabeth Bradley"
But Mr.. Hombach was too deeply stirred
to heed, or even to notice the boy Your
argument is based on an exploded theory.
You don't know
Father Miss Elizabeth.
81 tell you, Fritz you don't know what
the opposition newspapers are printing!"
Numbered Mr.. Hombach, bringing his
clinched hand heavily on the work bench.
while the tenants of the upper floors of
the house rushed to the banisters to peer
curiously down.
Randolph was obliged to wait until the
argument was concluded Then he said,
speaker very earnestly in his clear,
boying tones: Miss Elizabeth thanks
you for the chisel, father. Here it is
See, it isn't spoiled. She's very nice,
careful lady, Miss Elizabeth is. She needs
a little say very badly; hers is an old rusty
one, and it won't work.
w haLI MDdt Indl! e&CidHiieo WI =
Hombach, raising his black brows with a
fresh start of horror. Does the woman
want a saw now? l was a fool!-a fool!
l might have known I was only making
trouble for myself! Bahp' His disgust
turned to severe irony. Maybe the wo-
man would like the tool box"
"Miss Elizabeth is going to give me
slip off her ping geranium," said Ran
dolph.
Mr.. Hombach grunted unwillingly and
the frown deepened between his eyes
''Win you not lend the saw, father?"
pleaded the boy.
mo" said Mr.. Hombach.
The tool box stood on the work bench
in sight of BOTH On top was just such n
saw as Miss Bradley wanted. Randolph
looked at the narrow, cleaning blade anX-
iously. then at his father. How Is MISS
Elizabeth to finish her work." he asked.
Mr. Hombach shook his bushy hair i'm
patiently IT cannot lend tools! NO, no!
The woman has no sense! My tools are my
friends Who ever heard OF lendlns a
rfriend?"
Randolph's countenance fell; but In
moment he frightened with new
though. 20, fatherr' he gasped out with
breathless eagerness to test the availa-
bility of his idea Couldn't you take the
saw upstairs yourself and do the work
for Miss Elizabeth-for the sake OF the
saw, you know?"
Mr.. ~Hombach's brows went up again,
and he ran his fingers through his thick'
outstanding hair, as If the idea was az
fscult of comprehension. Presently an IN
nocent smile broke over his face.
Sure enough, Randolph he said, IN
an altered tone, his combative spirit all
gene. How absurd of me not to have
thought of that at first! Yes, yes, OF
course, that is the only sensible thing to
do. and it will take only few moments.
To himself he continued as he went up
stairs with his tool box: THAT little Ran
doIph of mine is no common boy. Who.
ever he is, there is the blood of states
man in his\veins. He'll make his mark in
the world"
Miss Elizabeth Bradley did not ask for
the loan of any more tools. AS the weeks
passed. Randolph noticed that his father
went upstairs to chat with her now ansi
then, to the great disappointment of the
men who called every. evening to discuss
pclitics, and to the relief of the neighbors
who wanted to sleep ........ t
II guess there's something in the wind"
gossipped Mrs Marary, of the second floor
front to her neighbor of the hall room.
"Oh, it's all settled; she's maxim the
eddin' dress" came the reply; and I'm
right glad it's so suitable all round. 1t
amt right for a man and boy to be
eatin at RESTRAINT day in and day out.
The only wonder is they didn't make a
match of it long ago" .t...I -a