Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1907-08-23

Win flerrick into the business that
gave him his allteratiye appelation.
little later the good people of Mcr-
ival Township were uncertain which
of the two really was "lIerrick of the
Highways. Alvin unquestionably
had the title first however. and It was
Alvin's money that made the roads
the pride of Mcrivalc Township and
the envy OF all the surrounding town
ships.
VIII Ierrick had no thought OF any
thing of this sort when he went to
Uncle Alvin to borrow some money
Uncle Alvin had plenty, and viii was
his nearest OF kin; in fact, the only
one to he found without running
back few generations and then trac-
ing another branch of the family. SO
VIII could see no reason why no
shouldn't borrow n thousand or so.
His note could be put In Uncle Alvin's
strong box and he would get it with
the rest Of the estate when Uncle
Alvin died, which would surely lie
equivalent to taking it up. II was
much better and more busincssikc To
borrow than 10 ask an advance pay
mtnt on his prospective inheritance,
and 1t was just as satisfactory.
1T all comes out of me in The end
he explained To his wife. IF | don't
pay the note, why, there's just that
much less to the estate when ] get
It,"
She thought his reasoning good;
but Uncle Alvin did not 1t is pos.
sible that the fact that Uncle Alvin
already had one or two of mis- ncp-
hew's notes in his strong box led
him to take this view OF it; ut and
rate, he refused emphatically To re-
lease his grip on any more money
at this time.
ia like to see some evidence OF
your ability to make a little of yonr.
self said Uncle Alvin.
"Oh, I'm doing pretty we'll" an.
swered Nephew VIII carclessly. I'm
jogging along comfortably: but, MS
your heir. good deal is expected
OF us, and our expenses are higher"
Who said you are going to be my
heir?"
"Oh. everybody knows that You've
no one else TO leave it to-"
CHARITY said Uncle Alvin short
Nephew Will smiled tolerantly.
Not all of it. Uncle Alvin" he said.
Yes. all of it,"
Quite impossible. ID break tho
will"
Uncle Alvin exploded wrathfully.
You'd break the will?" he exclaimed.
Huh! You'd have nice Job doing
that! Where's your grounds?"
"Eccentricity,' exclaimed Nephew
VII! confidently. "Eccentrlcity is
the outward demonstration or
an nnsonnd mind. People are al.
ready talking of your vagarics. There
Is already evidence of Mental aberra-
ton"
Proof" demanded Uncle Alvin.
Taxes" replied Nephew Will you
are a scandalous profigate in your
dealings with the State And you've
become crank on the subject of good
roads"
We need them
Everybody says that: but you're
the only one who cheerfully pays for
then. You rebuilt the road from mere
10 town; paid every cent of The cost
out OF your own pocket. OF course, its
only short distance; but there are
dozen people who ought to nave
contributed, and you never even tried
TO have II done by assessment. But
you We're joking, of course"
oh. | wasi"
81 sha'n't object to n moderate sum
going TO charity" Nephew Will went
on sereneiy, ignoring this sarcastic
exclamation; but It's absurd to talk
OF anything else. BE reasonable Uncle
Alvin. | need thousand dollars
now, and it's really only borrowing
from myself, you know. If don't
happen to pay it, l get the note in
stead OF the money when you die;
II merely takes that much out of NV
estate"
Your estate!" Numbered Uncle AL
YIN. stamping up and down the room.
You haven't any estate. and you
never will have any. Do you think
I'm going TO leave my money for
pink teas and golf and dcvil wagons :?
We'll. guess not I'll spend it N.Y.
self-thats what I'll do! There won't
be any estate when | die; there won't
be any VIII to break; there won't be
anything but roads-understand
roads! You stand there and criticize
me for making smooth run from
here to town. when my trottcr is the
only luxury I've got You talk about
ME being crazy because | like good
roads and am willing to spend my
money TO give an object lesson to the
short sighted fools who live herea-
bouts! I'll show you, III make n
boulevard of this whole blamed town
ship! I'll have people coming miles
tn see Herrick's highways. The coun-
~ will have the estate when get
through, and you'n have to get out
and hnstle,"
Nephew Will was worried by this
declaration. 1t seemed preposterous,
but Uncle Alvin was capable of il. BE.
eldne thn cuhinoL &c .x1...l - l. IL