The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1892-1907, 1903-07-11
A MiSer'S Heart

N<~~~~-NSN~~T~-SN@
G9I ME is money was Aaron
Burch's pet motto This partlc-
ular morning In late June he
ate even more rapidly than usual, for
break fast was ten minutes late and
that time must be made up.
His daughter. Hannah. watched him
furtively. struggling for courage To
breach the subject she had 10 mind
AT last. as her father rose from the
table. she spoke.
Father. have you thought over
what told you about Franks boy -
Yes" grimly; Il thought II all over.
and told the selectmen 10 take him 10
the pcorhouse."
Your grandchlld"
Hes no grnndchlld OF mine; lis
owned his father and | sha'nt adopt
the son"
Then shall"
Hannah rose and faced her father
For moment they confronted each
other In silence. Both were tall. thin,
angular. with long. narrow faces,
prominent cheek bones. and lips arm
ly compressed. both face. were seam
ed with lines engraved by toll u!led
days.
Aaron Burch's face filed with aston.
ishment and anger VIVA what are
you going to 10 with hlm?
Il going to take care % him"
You sha'n't bring that child here
Then shall 20 where can have
him. At the hotel can got good
wages and Frankle's board besides d"
Hes nothing but a little hunchbact
cripple Sever'll Be able 10 earn h0s
salt, and you'd waste money to rsyd
and clothe him, 'Twould be- Different
II he'd ever b. good FOR anything"
He Is good Tor something. now
I'll take care Of him a. long a. I'm
able to work, and I'll love him all the
better because he's hslple-s"
Hannah Burch. or all the foolish
talk! Want a playthlng, DO you?
Look at this big farm. and money At
interest All going to BE- yours some
day. I'd Ike TO know what better
paythings you want"
what do | care for your money ,''
nercely. 1T was your miscrIlnss4 in
getting It that drove Frank from home
and killed mother, And look at me-
only y years old. but look 30, Saa tho
wrinkles on my face. my hollow
cheeks and sunkeu eyes. Look At nv
gray hair. Look at my handsr' She
held them up; tho long. lean fingers
were large at the joints. the palms
calloused. and the skin rOuEhpnsd by
hard work. Look at nv clothes
patches on faded calico. These arc ali
get for my hard work. and you even
begrudge me the food eat and the
clothes wear"
But think Of the property. Hannah.
you'll be the richest woman In the
county"
Il want Frankie. now. md I'm going
to have him. property or no proper,v p"
Then 60" were the words that
trembled upon Aaron Burch's llps but
before they were spoken. he reInem.
bered that once she had left him and
he had been Obliged to pay ont bfa
beloved dollars for help that Ind wost.
ed more. and demanded moro In a
week than Hannah had in vear
You know | can't help myself I've
got to have you" He burst out anort
~. and left the room.
Anger filled his heart all that for.
noon. while he worked In tho carr
field, and his anger had not abotcd a
whit when he went home 10 bls ~,
ner. As he reached the doorvord no
looked up. stopped short md st,rcd
surely time Ind stepped hnck 90 veo -,
for there In the doorway. In hls lr,,io
nigh chair, WINS his pretty, ralrb
boy his first born wnylng n tiny vol.
coming hand Love Of money hnd 49,,
then driven love Of wife and children
from his henri, and he smiled hls m.
swer to the snIutc-thcn remembered
Hello, grandpa. I've GOMEZ, crro,i |
Frankie rs his grandfather stepnod |
In. Come and shake hands with mo
won't you" '' '''''
He had not intended 10 look n, =,
speak to the child, yet the ch,ld,s lI,n.