Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1902-02-27

THE sign in the window, "Furni
ture Neatly Repaired" was al
that distinguished Max Hombach'i
home and place of business from the
other narrow-fronted tenemen,
houses in the row.
While Mr.. Hombach's shop on the
ground floor was full of odds and
ends suggesting his occupation,
books, newspapers and certain Of the
magazines indicated that the man
OF the glue-pot and hammer was a
man OF some mental culture.
Evidently the magnetic influence OF
Mr.. Hombach was considerable; many
were the friends and admirers that
called TO see him in order to hear his
views" on the questions Of the day.
In summer time the talk was car
ried on Mt the front door steps; but
during the cold weather the little
meetings took place In the work
room, where Mr.. Hombhchs ringing
voice not unfrequently kept the ten
ants OF the house, us well as those In
the houses adjoining. awake until
midnight.
OF course Mr.. Hombach was nui-
sance, but his neighbors bore with
him on account Of the little boy
whom he had adopted MAX must
have good heart" they reasoned.
ito take in strange child and be so
kind TO him."
Little Randolph IIombach was the
waif OF steamboat disnster OF some
ten years ago. Max, then about 80
years Of age, had been one OF the
passengers. In the panic baby was
handed to him to save. The mother
never reached shore. Failing to find
any relatives for the child, the man.
who had no relatives OF his own. con-
cluded to keep It.
At present Mr.. Hombach was at
work mending broken table. The
fierce frown on his forehead indicat-
ed that he was also occupied with
some mental problem. When, pres
emily, he heard the sound OF light
footsteps In the hall. the frown dis
appeared.
Inc boy was coming home from
school. He stopped few moments
10 taik 10 woman In the entry;
then he came into the workroom with
his customary: Hello, father" add
ing MISS Eiizaoeth bradley wants
the loan OF your chisel May l take
Wy 70 hei no"
Mr. hombach started as II he had
peen struck MS couhtenance chang
ing win the quickness OF lightning
hithough generous to fault, he had
urawn ,he hhe OF generosity and
neighboriiness at his tool box. the
onve"'s VI "h''h "s'e e'i'oS' sacred
:" ms oye''
e"' my .,''e'o woman
"oa'an rs ~ q woman couiu 'oueh
'Vo' ",'hou. 'po'hhR my
s'"o'ous, NA"uo'Ph' 10 you 'hink L
"'n .'"o
maven you IN old chisel some
where. htherf asked the boy. II
doht hke 10 tell Miss Elizabeth that
you wont ehd her tool because
hhe woman she can't help that
Mr.. Hombach threw back his bushy
head, while smile that he tried to
hide shot out of his eyes. Nervous
and tempestuous In manner himself,
OF all things he admired calmness in
others, handoiphs quiet dignity quite
uengh'ed him'
The boy is diplomat" he thought
to himself. What a cool head All.
some day he will sit with the great
men OF the world. Well, guess you
may take that chisel to Miss Brad
ley" he said, presently, and began to
work,
Miss Elizabeth Bradley, who wa. a
In n small way. lived In
the back wing OF the second hoor OF
the house. She might have been 80
or IS, She did not look old. but was
still not what would be called "a
young lady" Randolph felt that he
would not have liked her so well II
that title had fitted her exactly.
Thank you," she said. admitting
the little Bismarck into her apart