The Taney County republican., 1903-10-29


JUST wont stand II any longer
by gum ] wol't," and the young
man brought his foot down with bang
and tossed the book he was reading
into corner. I'm going to the city
where things happen and people live.
I'm not goin to rust my life away In
this no-account hole I'm big enough
and strong enough and I've got learn
in enough To get along In the city.
judsin by the people I've seen who do
2e' along there, and I'm Just goin' to
try"
Having made up his mind and set
his Jaw Homer Dillman proceeded to
carry out his plan. lie was the llkeli-
est lad In all the countryside about
kaneville, A good-looking fellow,
chuck full OF energy. ready and anx-
ious 10 work and he had but one draw
back in the eyes of his father. He was
persistent and omniverous reader
and his taste ran to tales OF the great
city-and particularly OF that mysteri-
IT'S all due TO that cussed readin."
rrowled Dlllman, Sr.. when the boy
announced his determination. II allus
said no good 'ud come Of Il. Come
now. Homer. lad. you're doin' righ;
well: you're the high card at the sing
in school and spelln beesand the par
ties; you're geitin' plenty o. spendin'
money. and when you get ready To set
Tie down I'll make over that west sixty
TO you clean an clear. There amt
nothin' In this city life; yer nothin
but n slave and ye don't cit any good
eatiD' un decent air. Better stay by
the farm, lad"
mo, dad" replied the boy, 81 reckon
I'll have my fling I've got n hundred
and fifty In the bank and reckon
thatll last mo till | get something to
DO. ! don't want TO leave you. dad.
and I'll miss the old place and all that.
but II just seems that I've got to
stretch my wings"
So away he went with n brave face
and light heart-albeit the tears were
near the surface rs he kissed the kind
mother and wrung the hand OF his
sturdy father at the gate and made
his way TO the little wooden depot at
the village.
There had been another farewell the
night before. A fresh-faced girl ut the
village parsonage had heard the news
OF his going from his lips and the roses
In her cheeks had paled He had tried
TO comfort her with show OF light
heartedness and some gay references
TO fame and fortune and a reunion in
the future, but he was careful not TO
compromise himself. He wanted no
cntangling alliances in thecountry with
the city and Bohemia, with all It's mys.
terious and productive possibilities. d.
rectly before him. Bessie was brave
and quiet. but her heart was turned TO
stone. She felt that he was passinr
out Of her life ana tha, he wanted no
bonds to connect him with the past
Homer was dazzled with the music
and life Of the city. lie was n youth
of resourcefulncss and with his litt,c
capital managed TO meet some con-
genial spirits who conducted him into
the edge OF Bohemia. II was paradise
Itself when one evening he found him
self with n merry party OF gay and
careless spirits In coy restaurant
drinking beer out of great mugs and
eating curious things of of cracked
dishes--all at Homer's expense. Such
stories as were told; such songs as
were sung, such jests MS were passed
Homer was sure never had been equal
led since the dawn OF time. and the
cheap actress In her paint and powder
appeared to him as the beautiful prin-
cess Of his childhood fairy stories. He
went to his lodging along toward
breakfast time In the morning greatly
exalted and awoke in the afternoon
with a splitting headache.
OF course this sort Of thing could not
last. Homer's limited purse was nearly
exhausted and he realized the utter
helplessness Of man in the city with
out money or employment. He had
looked for work steadily, but thus far