Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1907-11-07


Ill unto death. But, though the scythe
bearer was advancing to meet him.
still cleaned in his eye the look OF
cunning so well known to his asso-
ciates.
Two days after he was stricken his
Faylon, upon whom he had lavished
a wealth of care, tried to pilot on
that particular financial sea on which
he had made his millions, but who
have proved such a great disappoint-
ment to him.
chartered one boat and continued sail
ing in it until it reached the chosen
port; the nephew engaged an entire
! fleet, seeing one after another foun-
der, but hoping always to have one
arrive safely at the wished-for destina-
ton. And when he visited his uncle,
! Tommy usually went to report that
! there had been a wreck-and that
| he wanted to start all over with
| stronger, more up-to-date craft.
Robert Faylon groaned, even above
the groans provoked by his aliment,
when Tommy was announced. Tom
my had certainly been Industrious. He
had sold eggs, goats. horses, and he
had run bucket shop, superintendent
a meat market, published a newspa-
per. and done a dozen and one other
things
well, what now?" the sick man
asked, YEARLY.
Tommy rendered solicitations as to
his relatives health he was panied
to see his uncle under the weather.
But you're a sticker," he added;
you'll live so more years" Then
glibly he went on to tell how. be-
cause of the treachery of a partner
sideshow proprietor. The fellow just
ran away with the fat woman and the
funds at the same time. But I've
cut out the things that people are
used to, and which need partners. I've
got something brand new" he ratified
enthusiastically. There's a field
for it, and when there's field for any
thing there's money in it,"
The dying man looked at him pity
ingly. Mulberry Sellers" he groan-
ed, tell me about it,
And Tommy did He wanted to
launch out into an information bureau
business, to furnish every one needful
with an idea. He would tell one man
how to advertise so that he could
bring prosperity to his business; an
other how to write a book; another
the cost and means of hauling tim
Der from Siberia to Patagonia; another
how to reach a girls heart. And so
on ad infinitum. Besides which" he
added, I'm dead in love, and the girl
wants to see me in business before
we get married. If / get started
she'll say Yes in hurry"
Uncle Robert said: IF you can tell
other people how TO do things, why
in the world can't you tell yourself
how to get on without my aid? That
would be proof of your ability"
Il could" Tommy replied, IF had
the capital to start the business
with"
We'll, call tomorrow, and we'll see
what is to be DONE" said Robert Fay
lon.
He died overnight. But before he
died he summoned his lawyer and
made a new will which contained a
clause that staggered everybody. In
brief, it was that If Tommy married
ha nh ~ iu Tahr
80, he would get $1,000OO0 of his
wealth; If he failed to do this, then he
must be satisfied with a paltry $500,
and the rest would go to charity.
February 3d." exclaimed Tommy,
listening, why, there is no such date
in the year"
'Mr. Faylon believed there is said
the lawyer, "and thinks that you, with
your latest scheme, should be able
to pick it out from the other days on
the calendar"
The month of February, as every
one knows, consists of 20 days. Once
every four years, with few excep-
tions, il takes an extra day. But 30!
Whoever heard Of there being 80 days
in February?
In woman's wit lies the solution OF
many apparently unfathomable prob
lens. Tommy went to the home OF
Alice Detwar, "the girl"
Your uncle wanted to turn you
down gracefully" she suggested.
IF he thought there was February
80, / guess / can find it," said Tommy.
And when / do we'll get married,
eh?"
During the month Of September.
1903, Tommy Faylon spent his every
waking hour pouring over calendars,
almanacs and rare works in the pub.
lie libraries and reporting his failures
to his sweetheart.
In October he tried different cam.
paign. He procured books on puzzles.
charades, refuses, and everything
that dealt with mind tangling propo
sitions. Burrows appeared on his
brow, lines creased his cheeks, his
eyes retreated in their wells, and he
grew nervous.
His uncle's doctor advised him
beautifully. stop looking in books