The professional world. (Columbia, Mo.) 1901-192?, 1903-10-02
CHAPTER XVIII (Continued)

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"But if he suckles 1t to sleep there's
no harm in it, Uncle Gideon"
"Ah, clod-head, but it may have bad
dreams and wake up with a cry. Let's
go back there"
"Are you in earnest?"
GAS earnest as a last will and testa-
ment."
"Then let me tell you that I'll do
nothing of the sort. You don't catch
me providing about a mans house at
night, and you wouldn't think of such
a thing if you were strictly sober"
Jimmie, you never saw me drunk"
mo, but I've seen you soberer than
you are now"
IAN unworthy insinuation, Jimmie.
But having great respect for your
plodding judgment, l will not go to the
negro's cabin, but will proceed rather
to my W shanty. And want you to
come with me. Tom Cranceford and
Sallie Pruitt will be there and in the
shine OF the fire Wen cut many a scol-
lop. What do you say?"
"Uncle Gideon, don't you know how
strongly opposed Mrs. Cranceford is
to TOMS"
bah, law-abiding calf. They are
going to marry, anyway, so what's the
difference? Jimmie, the most useless
man in the world is the fellow that
keeps just within the law. Blu per-
haps it isn't your law-abiding spirit so
much as it is your fear. In blind and
stupid obedience there is a certain sort
of gallantry, and in trotting to Mrs.
Cranceford's cluck you may be WISE"
''It's not that | am afraid Of offending
her." the giant said. THE girl Is too
good for Tom any day, or for any of us
when it comes to that, but the distress
of his mother haunts me, and | don't
want that girls affection for Tom to
haunt me too. One haunt at a time is
enough. But | tell you this, if it should
come to a question l would decide in
favor Of the girl"
Jimmie, you are improving. Yes,
am doing you great good. I found your
mind an insipid dish and have sprin'
killed. it with salt and pepper. You are
right. Always decide in favor of the
young, for the old have already had
their disappointments. Well, I'll go
Lift your paw. My horse can't move
out from under its weight"
"All right" said the giant, laughing
and stepping back. by the way" hi
added, tell Tom to be sure and NEE
me at the landing at two o'clock tomor
row. We are going down to New Or
leans"
"What, alone? | ought to go alonl
to take care of you. | could steer yo1
away from all the bad places and b,
this means you would naturally stun
BILE on the good ones. I'll see you whe,
you get back"
At home the old man had lighte
his fire and was listening to its cheer
full crackle when his visitors cam
laughing. With a boisterous shou
Tom kicked the door open, and whe
the girl demonstrated with him, h
grabbed her and kissed her.
That's all right" old Gid criet
zone Of these days the ~penitentiar
doors will open for you without bein
kicked in. All, delightful to see 20,
my dear" he said, bowling to the girl
refreshing to see you, although yo
come with a scamp, Sit down owe
there. I CAD, you are a bit of sunshir
that has lost it's way in the night"
" About her head she had wound
scarf OF red yarn, and as she stoc
taking it off, with the freight dan
ing among the kinks of her flax-lil
hair, the old man stepped forward
help her.
Hands off," said Tom. Don't tout
her"
"Wolfsh protector of a lamb" Il
old man replied, 81 ought to throw "
out; but it is not my mission to ca
out devils"
The girl sat down on a bench al
Tom took a seat beside her; and wi
many a giggle and a quit that, now