Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1904-04-21

| more devoted subject than her brother
For month after the funeral he
worried a good deal. He knew that
bills had been left unpaid through his
mothers illness and that the family
were in straitened circumstances. His
own law practice so far had yielded
scant returns, and what to do and
| where to turn was puzzle. He wrote
to former classmate whose father
was a prominent merchant in Boston
stating his situation and asking advice
1t was two weeks ere he received a re-
ply, and then, though cordial letter
of sympathy, it did not go far toward
solving the problem. A week later,
however, came letter from a lawyer
in that city of the name Of Frye offer
ing him a position as assistant in his
office at small salary. 1t was so small
that Albert thought it hopeless task
to pay home expenses out of it and
leave anything toward their debts. 1t
was more than his present income, how
ever, and yet to accept the offer and
leave Aunt Susan and Alice alone
seemed hard. On the other hand, to
borrow money on what little of the
farm was left did not help matters, for
when that was gone what then?
Matters came to climax one day
and ended his indecision. He had been
away from his Office all that afternoon
taking a long stroll in the woods to es-
cape his loneliness. and, returning at
tea time, found a cloud on his sisters
face.
''Mr Hobbs called this afternoon"
she said as they sat down to the table,
"and asked for you. Said he went to
your Office and, not finding you In,
came here" And then she added, with
culver in her voice, "Oh BERTHE, we
owe him over hundred dollars!'
The trouble was all out now, and AL
bert looked gloomy. II don't think any
more of him for coming here to dun
u.s." he answered savagely. "He might
have waited until he saw me-"
"Oh, he was very nice about it, re-
sponded Alice, "and begged my pardon,
for speaking of it. He said there was
no hurry, only that he had made out
his bill as q matter of form, etc., and
we could pay it when convenient"
Albert made no further comment.
but when the meal was ended said.
"Come out on the porch, sis, and let us
talk matters over" She followed him,
feeling there was trouble coming, and,
drawing her low chair next to his.
placed one elbow on his chair arm and
covered her face with that hand. For
a few moments he remained silent,
watching the frefies beginning their
evening dance over the meadow and
listening to the distant call Of a whip
poorwil. Across the valley the village
lights We're coming in sight one by
one, and faint odor of new mown
hay came to him. The pathetic little
figure at his side unnerved him, how
ever, and he dreaded to say what he
must.
well, SIS" he said at last, 1--WE kept
matters from you as long as can. We.
not only owe Hobbs a good deal, but
as much more in smaller bills to 9TH
ers, and there is no money to pay
them. I've worried about them more
than you know or than cared to have,
you. One of two things must be done,
either borrow money and pay these
bills or l must go away and earn
some'
Then the little head beside him sunk
slowly to his chair, and as he began
stroking it he added: "I've written to
Frank Mason. my old college chum.
and through him have received fair
/
to accept it. shall leave here as soon
as can get ready"
The trouble was growing serious
now, and as he ceased speaking he
caught the sound Of suppressed sob.