Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1906-11-22


cited men about the tickers. He had
about him that air OF repose which
comes to big men who have stayed
much In big out-of-door soiitudes.
Amt he nervy old guy?" saif .
crisp little money broker to Fouts.
They're wiped out. but You wouldn't
think he cared any more about 1t than
Mike. the porter. with his brass polish
out there"
The old man held his paper mp, but
did not read.
Percival rushed in by him, beckon.
Ing him to the inner room.
SHOPPERS all right about the One
Girl. He'll take a mortgage on IL for
two hundred thousand II you'll recon-
mend it-only he can't get the money
before tomorrow. There's bound to
be rally In this stock. and wen go
right back for some OF the hair Of the
--why-whats the matter-Uncle Pc
teri"
The old man had reeled. and then
weakly caught at the top OF the desk
with both hands for support.
"Ruinedl" he cried. hoarsely. as IL
the extent OF the calamity had just
borne in upon him. my God! Ruined,
and at my time of lifel" He seemed
about to collapse. Percival quickly
helped him into chair. where he boz
came limp.
There. I'm all right oh. it's ter
riblel and we all trusted you so.
thought you had your pas brains. I'd
a trusted you soon's would Shep-
Ter. and now look what you led US into
fortune gone-broke-and all your
FAULT"
Don't, Uncle Peter--don't, for
Gods sake--not when I'm DOWN. I
can't stand I'll"
Gamble away your own money
no. that wasn't enough-take your
poor mas share and your sisters. and
take what little had to keep me in
my old age-robbed US all-that's
what comes OF thinkin' damned tea
drlnkin' fop could have thlmblefui
OF bralnsl"
Don't, piease-not just now--givo
II to me good later-to.morrow--all
you want tot"
And here I'm como TO want In my
last days when I'm too feeble to work.
I'll die In bitter privation because I
was an old fool. and trusted a young
one"
Please don't. Uncle Peterl"
/ laA In.
mn and your sister. told you didn't
know anything about II and you talked
mo into trusting you'll might "a
known better"
Cant you stop awhile--just mo-
ment?"
"of course don't matter. Maybe :
can hold drill, or tram ore. or some
thing, but can't support your ma
and Plshy like they ought TO be. with
my rheumatic comm on again, too
And your mall have TO take In board.
ers, and do washin' like as not, and
think OF poor Pishy--probly she'll
have to teach school or clerk In q
store--poor Pish--she'll be lucky now
II she can marry some common scrub
American out In them hills--like as
not one OF them shoe-clerks In the
Boston Cash Store at Montana Cityi
And Jest when | was loolsin' forward
TO luxury and palaces In England, and
everything 30 grand! How much you
lost2"
That's right, no usa whiningi
Nearly as | can get the round figures
OF It, about twelve million"
"Awful-awfull by Cripes! thai
man Blythe that done himself up the
other night had the right Of It. What's
the use OF living II you got to so "a
the poorhouse2"
Come, comet" said Percival, alarm
over Uncle Peter croyding out hill
other emotions. ''Bo game loser
Just as you said pa would be. Sit IN
straight and make 'em bring on an
other deck"
He slapped the old man on the bach
with simulated cheerfulness; but tho
despairing one only covered weakly
under the blow,
I'VE can't--we Amt got the stake
for new deck. oh. dearl think Of
your ma and me not KNOWN where
to turn fur a meal OF yictuals at our
time OF life"
Percival was being forced TO cheer
fitness in spite OF himself.
Come, 1t isn't as bad as that, Uncle
Peter. We've got properties left, and
good ones, too"
| Uncle Peter weakly waved the hand
of finished Encouragement. Hush.
don't speak OF that Them properties
need q manager to make EN- pay-a
plain business mana man to stay on
the ground and watch em and develop
'em with his brains-va young man
with his health! What good am T.
poor, broken down old cuss, bent
double with rheumatiz-almost-
ashamed OF you fur suggesting such a
thingl"
I'm do 1t myself never thought
OF asking you"
Uncle Peter emitted nasal gasp
OF disgust.
.You-you-you'd make purity
manager OF anything, wouldn't you'll
AS II you could be trusted with any
thing again that needs a schoolboy's
intelligence. Even II you had thu
brains, you amt got the taste nor the
sperrit In you. You're too lazy-too
trifin'. You. -agoin' back there. de-
velopln' mines, and gettin' out ties
and lumber, and breeding shorthorns
and improvin' some of the finest land