The Butler weekly times. (Butler, Mo.) 1881-1918, 1904-01-07

street lay in perspective before the
window, and along it, out beyond the
confines of the town. there reached
the fat menoteny Of the dark prairie
soil. A dog crossed the street, paus-
ing midway Of the crossing to scratch
his ear. The cart of the leading gro
Ger was hitched in front of his store,
and an idle citizen or two paused near
by to exchange morning greeting. All
the little, uneventful day was begin
ming, as ii had begun so many times
before here in this little, uneventful
town, where the world was finished,
never more to change. Franklin shud-
dered. Was this, then to be his life?
There came a regular tread upon
the stair, as there had always for
years come at this hour Of half past
seven in the morning, rain or shine.
Judge Bradley entered, tall, portly,
smooth shaver, his silk hat pushed
back upon his brow, as was his fash
ion. Franklin turned to make the
usual morning salutation.
Good morning. Ned" said the
Judge. affably.
Good morning, Judge" said Frank.
Lin. Il hope you are WELL"
"Yes, thank you. Nothing ever the
matter with me. How are things com.
ing?"
"Oh, all right, thank you"
This was the stereotyped form OF
the daily greeting between the two.
Judge Bradley turned as usual to his
desk, but, catching sight of the letter
still held in Franklin's hand, reLarked
carelessly:
Got letter from your girl?"
mot so lucky" said Franklin.
From a friend"
Silence resulted. Judge Bradley
opened his desk, took off his coat and
hung II on a nail, after his custom,
turned over the papers for a moment
and remarked absentmindedly, and
more to be polite than because the
matter interested him, Friend, eh?"
"Yes," said Franklin, friend, out
West; and both relapsed again into
silence. Franklin once more fell to
gazing out of the window. but at
length turned toward the desk and
pulled over his chair to closer speak.
ing distance.
Judge Bradley" said he, 81
shouldn't wonder if could pass my
examination for the bar"
"Well, now" said the Judge, 81 hope
you can. That's nice. Coin to hang
out your single, eh?"
II might, II got my license"
ooh. that's easy" replied the other;
cts mostly a matter of form. No
trouble about it-not in the least. =
81 am clear in my own mind that I
don't know much about law" said
Franklin, land | should not think Of
going up for examination II that end
ed my studies in the profession. II !
were intending to go into practice
here. sir, or near by, should not
think of applying for admission for at
least another year. But the fact IS.
I'm thinking Of going away"
Coin away?" Judge Bradley
Stralghtened. up and his expression
his own misgivings about this grave
faced and mature young man should
he 30 into the practice at the Blooms.
bury bar 1t was well enough to en-
courage such possibilities to take their
test in some other locality. Judge
Bradley therefore became more cheer.
full Coin away, eh?" he said.
Where to-"
"Out West" said Franklin, uncon.
sciously repeating the phrase which
was then upon the lips of all the
young men of the country.
"Out West, eh?" said the Judge. with
still greater cheerfulness. That's
right, that's right. That's the place
to go to, where you can get a better
chance. came West in my day my.
self, though 1t isn't West now; an
that's how l got my start. There's
ten chances out there to where there's
one here, an you'll get better pay for
what you do. I'd advise it. sir-I'd ad.
wise it; yes, indeed"
Il think it will be better" said
franklin calmly.