The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1905-01-20

as big a thing as this is entirely on
me-"
well" said Hillyer, "you won't
mind tellIn me what you would do eff
1t was all yore affair."
"If it were mine," answered George.
I'D hold awhile longer"
'@rhat settles it." cried Hillyer. and
he turned to write an answer to the
telegram.
A few minutes later Hanks came in
with his son Bob, well dressed young
man past twenty years Of age. The
young man paused in the outer room,
an expression of deep embarrassment
on his face.
HAS that car O. meat fer me been
sidetrackedT Hanks asked Hillyer
abruptly.
Eyes; It's at the platform now" the
merchant answered, casting a curious
glance past Hanks to his son. "Are
you ready to have it unloaded?"
Eyes; Bob's goin' to do it."
The whole room stared in sympa-
thetic astonishment.
"You say he isl? Hillyer got out I'M
der his breath.
Eyes; I'm goin' to show him an his
mother that / rule the roost up our
way. She's tuck a notion he's too good
to work like common folks, an let's
i'm run wild with these town dudes,
an I've made up my mind as long as
he hoio 20 lie
hands to whatever work there is to do.
/ could git Niger to do the job fer
dollar an a half, an I'm simply goin'
to save the money"
At this outburst Bob Hanks was
seen to turn his face to the door. 1t
was as red as blood.
"Oh, say Hillyer began to pro-
test, but Hanks interrupted him.
"Git that pair o. trucks back thar
an go to work." he said to his son,
IAN shuck of that coat an necktie.
You won't need no buttonhole bouquet
fer this job"
The young man made haste to obey.
It was as If he wanted to spare his
parent the exhibition he was making
of himself. Hanks sat down at the
stove In his usual place quite unruf-
fed.
"Say," Hillyer began mildly, II don't
think yo're handlin that chap right.
He's all right, eff you'd only treat him
like young human bein'. I've want
ed to speak to you about that boy a
long time. l like Bob, l cayn't help
1t. Why, hang it, he's jest natural!
He don't know how to get down to
work. He's been fetched up in this
giddy set o. young folks, an he feels
his fodder When you do put i'm at
work you put i'm at some mental en-
ployment that makes all the boys in
town laugh at him, an no boy with
any pride ut all can stand that. An
the trouble Is he's ashamed of the way
you do along with 1t. The daddieS o.
that set he's been runnin' with don't !
act that way, an he don't know why |
yo're different"
what In the name o. common sense |
do you know about boys?' said Hanks,
leaning forward and applying his
cheap cigar to red spot on the stove. |
You've never had one. DO you reckon
hain't anxious to see i'm make
some'n' out'n hisself? l tried my level
best to git i'm to go to mill tother
lay, and betwiXt i'm and his nanny |
| was clean outwitted. Jest think O.
meme feedn' an housin' a young
Prince O. Wales!'
"A Prince O. Wales that won't ride
to mill on corn SACK" said Kenner
lryly. Lib, you've got a white ele-
ohant on yore hands as shores preach
n" 4.
Just then they heard the rattle of the
ron wheeled trucks in the rear. Bob
Hanks had set to work. His father
legan to pull at his cigar No one
spoke for a few minutes. Then three
roung mon, faultlessly attired ard
aughinS merriIy, entered the ware
louse at the front and went through
he building toward the car at the
platform in the rear.
Coin back to poke fun at Bob"
said Kenner. "They certainly are a
Tlllu gang, DuL L III UcI DOu ICClo lhO
.rawlin' in a hole an pullin' the hole
n after i'm"
George Buckley stood down on the
loor, his face rigid. They were all
him. He took off his coat
md hung it up and then walked out Of
he office through the warehouse to-
ward the car of bacon.
II wonder what he's goin' to- be-
IAN kenner.
Coin to scatter them fools, reck-
H." said Hillyer angrily. can he
rt, the blasted idiotsp'
Hanks had observed and heard, but
lie smoked on as If unconcerned.
Kenner rose and went out. He came
Jack in moment, strange light in !
lis honest face. his lips twitching.
George has got another pair O. ]
rucks an is .helpin' Bob unload that
ar" he said in an unsteady voice.
BY gum, he's a man, l tell you = a
nanv'
Hanks cigar had gone out, and he
eaned forward and pressed its end
gainst the stove again. ut won't .