The professional world. (Columbia, Mo.) 1901-192?, 1903-09-18

told that Mr.. Bats had been gone
more than a week, and hat he had
left nc word as to when he intended to
return. Greatly worried, the Major
went home; wide awake he pondered
during long hours in bed, but no light
fell upon the mystery Of the old mans
absence; nor in the night nor at break
fast did the Major speak Of it to his
wife, but silently he took his worry
with him to his office. One morning
while the planter was at his desk,
there came a storming at the dogs in
the yard.
Get down there, boys. Don't put
your muddy feet on me Hi, there,
Bill, you seven years itch of a scroun
drel, take my horse to the stable"
The Major threw open the door.
Don't come out, joint" Gid shouted,
coming forward among the prancing
dogs. Don't come out, for / want
to see you in there"
He appeared to have gained flesh;
his cheeks we're rudy, and his grasp
was strong as he seized the Majors
hand. "How are you. John?"
"Why, old man. where on earth
have you been?"
81 have been in the swamp for many
years, but now I touch the ground only
in high places"
He boldly stepped into the office,
and as he sat down the sweep of his
coat-tatls brushed chattel mortgages
and bills of sale from the desk. "Only
in high places do my feet touch the
ground, John. l have just returned
from Kentucky. And l bring the news
that my old uncle is no more to this
life, but is more to me than ever"
And o were summoned to his
bedside" said the Major, striving to
be serious, but smiling upon him.
mot exactly. You might say that
I was summoned by a lawyer to his
chest-side. He left me nc word Of af-
lection, but his money is mine, and on
many a half dollar of it l warrant you
there is the print Of his tooth. Give
me your check-book, John"
Wait a while, Gid. Let us accus-
tom ourselves to the situation"
mo; let us get down to business. l
am impatient to pay a widowed debt.
Gods love was slow, John, but it came.
How much do l owe?"
Il don't believe I'd pay 1t all at once,
Gid. Leave a part to be met by the
next crop"
"All right; but it's yours at any
time. The only way l can use money
is to get rid of it as soon as possible.
Make out a check for two-thirds of the
amount and I'll put my strong hand to
it. But you haven't congratulated me-"
NO" the Major replied, with a
drawl, "for l felt that it would have too
much the appearance of my w greed.
I have bounded you" The old fellow
seized him, and stopped his utterance.
Don't say that, John. You have kept
me out of hell and you ought to com
plete my heaven with q c%ongratula-
ton"
They shook hands, looking not into
each others eyes, but downward; the
Major pretended to laugh, and old Gid,
dropping his hand, clustered about
the room, whistled and stormed at a
dog that poked his head in at the
door. Then he sat down, crossed his
legs; but finding this uncomfortable,
sprawled himself into an easier posi-
ton and began to moralize upon the
life and character of his uncle. HE
always called me a fool with an up
roarious fancy, an idiot with wit, and
o wise man lacking in sense. He de-
MED himself everything, and it strikes
me that he must have been the fool.
I wish he had gathered spoil enough
to make me rich, but | reckon he did
the best he could. and | forgive him.
We must respect,the dead, and some
times the sooner they are dead the
sooner We respect them. Let me sign
that thing. Oh, he hasn't left me so
much, but I won't quarrel with him
now. What was 1t the moralist said?"