Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1908-01-01

his only cow-but I'd hate to tell him
lie. Promise me you won't tell any
one about this, will you? I'll go home
and think 1t over"
Yes, honor bright. But l must go
now. You'd better do as l say"
And Frank tramped off, glad to get
q safe distance between himself and
Mr.. Calvert, Of whose sour temper he
had heard q great deal.
Jimmie started for the house, first
shutting the gate that had made so
much trouble, but went with the slow
est Of steps, since he had to make up
his mind as to what account he should
give Of the accident.
He knew that his father would be
terribly angry when he heard the news.
Yet even his anger would not be so bad
as the privation that would be caused
by the loss Of their only COW. And he
was to blame for 1t all How could
he bear to look his father IN the facei
Buff he lied, deliberately. lied
and gave a false cause for poor Bios
SONS death; If he put the blame upon
his fathers neglect to repair the fence
could he then approach him with a
clear eye and a clean conscience?
No, but
A cold SILVER ran down his back.
He had witnessed exhibitions of his
fathers wrath, and he was sore afraid.
By this time he had reached the
house. Undecided as he was he went
in and found his father in the sitting
room. Mr.. Calvert started up when he
saw Jimmie gazing at him.
what is it?" he asked roughly.
"Father-" Jimmie began, but
something in his voice moved the ia
Their.
"Wen, my boy" he said kindly.
Jimmie's tongue seemed to stick, and
his throat grew so dry that he had to
cough.
Father, Blossoms killed"
"She's killed. She got out on the
railroad and was hit, right where our
fence is broken down, which told you
about"
"Well, where we're" but the look
Of suppressed emotion in his sons face
kept Mr.. Calvert from the threatened
outburst.
Father, the train hit her by that
hole, but-she got out through the gate.
1 left 1t OPEN"
Andrew Calvert was a rough and
disappointed man. This blow, caused
by the carelessness of his son, was
heavy one, but with a fathers intui-
ton he saw at once the struggle
through which Jimmie had lately pass
ed. Being a perfectly honest man, he
was proud Of his sons victory over
temptation. Blood is thicker than
water, and a great gush of sympathy
went out toward his boy.
Come, Jimmie, let's have look at
her." he said with a little tremor in
his voice.
They went down the lane together
in silence, but when they got to the
gate Andrew noticed Jimmie's contri-
vance.
whats that?" he cried, a scowl
gathering on his face. "Have you been
spying in the attic?'
mo, indeed" replied the son In
dignantly. you have always told me
not to go there"
"Why, that's my patent!" exclaimed
the farmer. "Only-why, bless my
soul, boy, you've hit on the very idea
that I've been trying to catch on to
for so long. 1t works this way, doesn't
it?"
y He went up and tried 1t.
Jimmie, Jimmie, you've done what
your own father couldn't do. That's
It; that little wrinkle there-that's
what has been such a stumbling block
to me. Who'd have thought it-that
my boy would be the one to set me
straight? But 1 must cut 1t down, or
some one else will steal my-no, our
patent"
And in a few moments there was not
a sign left of Jimmie's Device
During their walk back to the house
Andrew explained to his son how it
was that he had spent so much time
in the attic, for he had forgotten all
about Blossom. 1t seems that, DOS
sessed of a half-developed plan of a
patent gate, the sale Of which would
set his money affairs straight, he had
toiled and dreamed over a model that
he had up there. His non-success had
made him irritable, and caused him to
be wrapped up too much in one fixed
idea. But for one fatal flaw, the thing
was complete; and now his boy had
found the remedy.
Never mind the COW, Jimmie. That's
all right. I'm sorry for her, but there's
no use crying over split milk. We can
make enough money now to buy plenty
of cows. But do you know, Jimmie"
his voice grew very tender here
there's one thing makes me gladder
than getting the inishing-up of the
patent. I'm glad you are honest, boy"
And Jimmie was glad. tOO.-Chicapo