River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1903-01-22

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Pride of possessions was Aaron
Burchs weak point, and his little
grandson's innocent speech brought
gratified smile to his face.
It's the best farm in the county,
and never looked better than it does
now. Talk about fine sceneryi This
farm in Junes about the best scene
[ want to look at"
"Can / go out where you're hoeing,
after dinner, grandpa?'
'You can go if Hannahll take
you"
81 call her Aunt Annie; don't you
think Annies a prettier name than
Hannah"
81 don't bother my head much
about what's pretty, except pretty
bank account, though note bearing
eight per cent. looks sort of pref
ty, too"
"Have you got one, grandpa?"
"LOts. All secured, too. | never
yet lost cent Of money I'd let out"
'What are you going to do with
all your money, grandpa?"
''Why-why-keep putting it out TIC
interest, so to get more Unrest with
it,
whats interest good for?"
'WeII, of all foolish questions,
that's the wust!" Again the angry
frown came into his face, and he
sat down to his dinner.
frankie did not seem TO notice his
grandfathsr's frOwns and Grabbed
ways, but his young heart went out
to the miserly old man, and when
ever he came in sight, the little face
would light up with a glow Of love
that his grandfather could not fail
! to see, and before he realized it his
hard old heart began to soften.
Whenever he returned from his work
he watched eagerly for the frail, lit
tie figure by the window, and lis
tened for the CHEEKY cry: Hello,
grandpa, what have you been doing
to-day?"
Hannah's heart grew light and full
of happiness as she watched and lis
tened; and one day she went, hope
fully, to her father, with a plan for
frankie.
Father, the doctor thinks that If
frankie were taken to a hospital for
an operation, he might be helped,
possibly be made to walk"
She waited for encouragement, but
none came; the thin, old lips were
firmly closed, the jaws rigid.
at will cost about $500 for railroad
fares, and to pay for the operation,
| and-and-all the rest"
''Where do you s'pose the 5000 are
coming from? Not out Of my pocket,
depend ont. Such a foolish waste Of
money keeping him here, anyway! If
could help myself, he wouldn't stay
under this roof another night"
For moment, Hannah was crushed
by surprise and disappointment, then
her will and determination came to
the rescue.
Il shall take him to the hospital. If
there is one chance to help him. to
relieve his pain, he shall have that
chance"
'How will you get the money!"
Borrow it."
"And saddle yourself with a debt
! too; / should think a cripple was
enough"
1t was late in the winter when they
went away; Hannah did not write;
her father did not expect her to. But
as spring approached, he looked for
ward eagerly to their Homecoming.
At last there was a line from Han
nah. Would he meet them at the sta
ton the next day?
1t was the first warm day in spring
the first day that the cattle had been
in the pasture. Although spring work
was driving, Aaron was at the station
a full hour before the train was due
He trembled with eagerness, yet
dreaded to meet the boy. He viii
come home good for something, anC
no thanks to me- he whispered tc
himself.
At last the train pulled up to the
platform. and frankie called out his
old greeting: Hello, grandpa" But
Aaron could not answer.
He wondered why Hannah carried
the boy in her arms and put him into
the buggy. When they were almost
! nome his eyes IuSG 11tIlldll - HuSS
tioningly, and she shook her head
Then he understood.
His heart leaped with selfish glad
ness; he would yet have chance tC
do something for the child! He drew
the boy close to his side. frankie
looked up, surprised, then drew long
tired breath, and leaned his heat
against his grandfather.
'Twasn't a success, grandpa, the
doctors say never'll be able to walk
But you won't suffer any more
frankie" said Hannah, quickly.
"Never mind, sonny; never mind
boy, longs you don't suffer any
There's money enough to keep you, i
Look at all these big fields, and the
pastures full of cattle Over on the
hill there's the sheep and lambs. One
of the sheep had four lambs this
spring; ev'ry one lived, too, anC
they're all yours. I'll carry you ou
tomorrow and let you see them. Sho
now. Don't you worry any if you cam
walk. I'll get you a wheel chair anC
you can go all over the farm and Iear1
TO boss things. There's Luke Wyman
over to Medford, never walked steI
in his life, but he carries on the big
gest dry-goods business in the coun
ty. Guess you can do as we'll; head:
count more'n heels do any day
Farm and Hnme