Mexico weekly ledger., 1902-08-21

gains, Smoked two-bit cigars and
wore a plug hat Drank a little and
cuSsed a little and went to the
Episcopalian Church, though he had
been raised a Methodist Altogether
it looked as il Bill was a pretty hard
nut.
Well, one fall the Deacon decided to
go TO Chicago himself to buy his win
ter goods, and naturally he hiked out
to Brother BINS 10 stay, which was
considerable cheaper for him than the
Palmer House, though, as be told us
when he got back, it made him sick to
see the waste.
The Deacon had his mouth all fixed
TO tell Brother Bill that, In his opln.
ion, he wasn't much better than a
faro dealer, for he used to brag that
he never let anything turn him from
his duty, which meant his meddling
in other peoples business. l want to
say right here that with most men
duty means something unpleasant
which the other fellow ought to do.
As a matter Of fact a mans first duty
is to mind his OWN business. It's
been my experience that it takes
about all the thought and work which
one man can give to run one man
right, and II a fellows putting in five
or six hours a day on his neighbours
character, he's mighty apt to scamp
the building Of his own.
Well, when Brother Bill got home
from business that night, the Deacon
explained that every time he lit a
two-bit cigar he was depriving a Zulu
Of twenty-five helpful little tracts
which might have made a better man
of him; that fast horses were a snare
and plug hats a vile of the Enemy;
that the Board OF Trade was the Tenn
pie Of Belial and the brokers on it his
sons and servants.
Brother Bill listened mighty patient
ly to him, and when the Deacon had
pumped out all the Scripture that was
in him, and was beginning to suck
air, he sort Of skunk into the converse
tion like a setter pup that's been
caught with the feathers on its chops.
Brother zeke,n says he, 81 shall
certainly let your words soak in. l
want to be a number two red, hard,
sound and clean sort Of a man, and
grade contract on delivery day. Per-
haps, as you say, the rust has got into
me and the Inspector won't pass me,
and II / can see it that way I'll settle
my trades and get out Of the market
for good"
The Deacon knew that Brother Bill
had scraped together considerable
property, and, as he was a bachelor, II
would come 10 him in case the broker
was removed by any sudden dispense
tloD. What he really feared was that
his money might be fooled away in
high living and speculation. And 50
he had banged away INTO the middle
OF the flock, hoping TO bring down
those two birds. Now that 1t began
TO look as Il he might kin of the whole
bunch he started in 10 the hedge.
SIS it safe, William" says he.
GAS Sunday School," says BIZ, "ii
you do a strictly brokerage business
and don't speculate"
81 trust, William, that you recognize
the responsibilities of your steward.
ship"
Bill fetched a grOan. ''Zeke," says
he, you cornered me there, and l
'spose / might as well walk up to the
Captains Office and settle. l hadn't
bought or sold a bushel on my own &C.
count in a year till last week, when !
got your letter saying that you were
coming. Then l saw what looked like
a safe chance to scalp the market for a
couple OF cents a bushel, and l bought
10000 September, intending to turn
over the profits to you as a little pres
ent, so that you could see the town
and have a good time without its cost
ing you anything"
The Deacon judged from Bills ex-
preston that be had got nipped and
was going to try to unload the loss on
him, SO be changed his face to the one
which he used when attending the fun
eral OF any n who hadn't been a pro-
fessor, and came back quick and hard.
"I'm surprised, William, that you
should think / would accept money
made in gambling. Let this be a les
son TO you. How much did you lose?''
THAT'S the worst OF it'll didn't
lose; / made two hundred dollars, land
Bill hove another sigh.
"Made two hundred dollarslfechoed
the Deacon, and he changed his face
again for the one which he used when
he found a lead quarter in his till and
couldn't remember who had passed 1t
on him.
YES" Bill went on, 'iand Pm
ashamed Of it, for you've made me see
things in a new light. OF course, after
what you've said, | know IL would be
an insult TO offer you the money. And
/ feel now that 1t wouldn't be right TO.
keep IL myself. / must sleep on IT and
try'to find the straight thing to do"
/ guess itreally didn't interfere with
Bill's sleep, but the Deacon sat up
with the corpse Of that two hundred
dollars, you bet. In the morning at
breakfast he asked Brother Bill to
explain all about this specializing bust
ness, what made the market go up and
down, and whether real corn or wheat
or pork figured In any stage of a deal.
Bill looked sort OF sad and dreamy
eyed, as II his conscience hadn't d.
gested that two hundred yet, but be
was mighty obliging about explaining
everything TO Zeke. He had changed
face for the one which be wore
when be sold an easy customer ground
peas and chicory for o. G.. Java, and
every now and then he gulped as II be
was going to start a hymn. When Bill
5old him how good and bad weather
tent the market up and down, he nod
led and said that that part Of IL was
N right, because the weather was Of
he Lord.
"Not on the Board Of Trade it isn't
3ill answered back; Eat least, not to
nv marked extent. it's from tie