River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1907-09-12
THE WELCOME NEWS FROM HOME

I'm goin' right in" declared Abb
jah Crankle glazing at the Office boy,
who barred his progress. Il don't
stand for no red tape"
"But Mr. Burbank will see no one
without an appointment" protested
the boy His orders are very strict
and"
tom Burbank hain't king, is hep
demanded Mr.. Crankle scornfully. Il
knew him when he didn't have nothin'.
I'm an intimate friend and he'd give
you Tallahassee if you try'd to keep
me OUT" Mr.. Crankle brushed the
boy aside and entered the private of
flee Of Thomas Worthington Burbank,
financier
Perceiving an intruder, Mr.. Bur.
bank arose from his desk with an
angry gesture.
Hello, Toni" greeted the caller.
'TlI bet you didn't expect to see me
walk in"
'Why-Bigei" exclaimed Burbank
with surprise that was very gratifying
to his visitor. you certainly are the
fast person l expected to see!"
'Bein' in town | thought I'd look
you up" explained Bige grinning
broadly But some Of them monkies
il the front rooms there-say, you
ought to speak to 'em. Never saw
such impotence; it'll offend some of
your friends to be treated that way.
OF course it's all right in my case,
but
sit down, Bige," interrupted Bur-
bank with frown at the clock.
What's new in Dawsonville?"
"Nothin' much" deprecated
Crankle, critically shifting the cigar
that had been passed him Every
thing going smooth with you? Got
quite a place here; can see you're
dOin' we'll We hear of your doin' S
up in Jacksonville, but of course you
have to take what you hear with a
grain of salt II a man does fairly
well it gets exaggerated and folks go
wild about it. But it did surprise
everyone the way you've turned out,
Toni"
Leave 'em all well?" interrupted
Burbank nervously consulting an en-
gagement tablet
Some Of en-" answered Bige con-
servatively. "A few dropped off this
last winter. Old man Sperry-"
Pardon me- Bige, / find | must get
over to a directors meeting right
away; if you could come back later"
I'm goin' on the two-something,
Tom" said Bige sadly, twirling his
hat around by the brim. ooh, say,
Tom, | forgot to tell you-Libbie Gull
vers dead
Burbank sat down suddenly in his
chair and his steely eyes blurred.
yes" continued Bige, following up
a vantage, poor Lbs gone!"
'Lib's gone" repeated Burbank,
drawing his hand across his eyes and
forehead. Why, it doesn't seem
more than yesterday"
Everyone always wondered" hint
cd Bige, swinging his right foot that
was crossed.
I'VE had a quarrel" explained Bur-
bank unconscious that he had thus
ClodTCu up Il DTOheu engagement uyS-
terry that had baffied Jacksonville for
years.
You always was set-so was Lib
bie." commented Bige. "She never
married, though she had plenty o.
chances"
I'm her day nobody could touch Lib
bic Culver for STYLE" reminisced the
great man.
"She was the best dancer in Daw-
sonville," supplemented Crankle. you
could trip the light fantastic yourself,
In them days"
The phone was ringing and Burbank
took down the receiver impatiently.
mol" he shouted. Cant see any
body-well, tell him to wait, then"
'Mebby 1 better mosey along" sug-
gested Bige family.
"Sit still, Bige. sit STILL" command
ed Burbank. It's just like old times.
Say, what ever became of Hen Sper-
rvs oldest boy?"
Johnny? oh, he's there on the