Waterbury Democrat., 1903-01-14
"A M is err $
 III e a r { B ySI.EM c R Q s $.

BurchS pet motto. IhlS par ticular morning in late June, he ate even more rapidly than usual, for breakfast was ten minutes late and that time must be made up. His daughter, Hannah, watched him furtively, struggling for cour- age to broach the subject she had in mind. At last, as her father rose from the table, she spoke.
 Father, have you thought over what I told you about Franks boy2"
 Yes" grirnly; 1T thought it all over, and told the selectmen to take him to the poorhouse."
 Your grandchiIdi"
 He's no grandchild of mine; I dis the son."
 Then J shall.'
 Hannah rose and faced her father. For a moment they confronted each other in silence Both were tall, thin, angular. with long. narrow cheeka bones, and lips firmly com pressed; both faces were scanned with lines engraved by toil-flled days.
 Aaron Burch's face filled with astonishment and anger. "Wha- what aresyou going to@do with him ?''
 II am going to takes care of him.
 @You shan't bring that child herei"
 S"ThenI shall go, where I can have him. Att the hotel can get good wages and Franlffe's board besides"
 He's nothing but little hunch- back cripplel NeverI1 be able to earn his salt, and you'd,waste money to feed and clothe him! 'Twould be different if he'd ever be good for anything
 He is good for something now: I'll take care of him as long as I'm able to work, and TIT love him all the better because he's helpless
 Hannah Burchi Of all the foolish talk! Want a plaything, do you? Look at this big farm. and.ymoney out at interest. All going to be yours some day I'd like to know what better playthings you want"
 What do care for your n,oney?'' fiercely. Tt was your miserliness in getting it that drove Frank from home and killed mothcri And look at me-only 27 years old, but look 50! See the wrinkles on my face. my hollow cheeks and snnken eyesl Look at my gray hair! Look at my handsi" She held them up: the long, lean fingers were large at the joints. the palms calloused. and the skin roughened by hard work. Look at my clothes-patches on faded calicol These are ali I get for my hard work. and you even begrudge me the food I eat and the clothes I wear''
 "But think of the property, Han nah; you'll be the richest woman in the county"
 sI want Frankie. now. and I'm go- ing to have him. property or no property
 ''Then go," were the words that trembled upon Aaron Burch's lips, but before they were spoken, he re- membered thaw once she had left him. and he had been obliged to pay out his beloved dollars for help that had wasted more and demand ed more in a week than Hannah had in a year.
 You know I can't help myself: I've got to have you" He burst out. angrily. and left the room.
 Anger filled his heart all that fore- noon, while he worked in the corn field. aud his anger had not abated whit when he went home to his dinner. As he reached the dooryard he looked up. stopped short and stared. Surely time had stepped back 40 years, for there in the door way. in his little high chair, was his pretty. fair-haired boy. his first born, waving tiny. welcoming hand. Love of money had not then driven love of wife and children from his } heart. and he smiled his answer to the salute-then remembered.
 Hello. grandpa, I've come!" cried Frankie. as his grandfather stepped in. Come and shake hands with me, won't you, grandpa? You see l can't go to you"
 He had not intended to look at. or speak to the child. yet the child's little hand lay in his and he was trying to stammer out greeting.
 "It's nice out here, isn't it grand pa?"
 Pride of possessions was Aaron Burch's weak point, and his little grandson's innocent speech brought a gratified smile to his face.
 "It's the best farm in the county, and never looked better than it does now. Talk about fine sceneryl This farm in June's about the best scene want to look at.''
 "Can I go out where you're hoeing, after dinner, grandpa?"
 non fn you"
 1T call her Aunt Annie; don't you think Annie's prettier name than Hannah ?"
 CT don't bother my head much about what's pretty. except a pretty bank account, though a note bearing eight per cent. looks sort of pret- ty. too.''
 Have you got one. grandpa?"
 Lots. All secured, too. I never yet lost cent of money I'd let out"
 What are you going to do with cI1 uo7vr crrandno o,s