Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1908-12-30

air.
He took the chair off the bed,
tucked it in one corner of the room
and stretched himself out for the
night.
In after years he talked much about
that room. He always declared that
he could open the door with his hand
and the window with his foot at the
same time; that If he bent over to
lace up his boots he butted his head
against the side wall, and when he
thrust his arm through the sleeve of
his shirt he invariably bruised the back
of his hand on the ceiling
The next night while dining with
Jimmy a telegram was handed to
Bayard
'Your aunt died this morning-fu-
neral Thursday" it read.
"Well, l hope the dear old lady will
be happy in heaven" Bayard said, not
without some feeling. "She had per-
suaded herself that she wasn't here"
"That telegram means a lot to you,
doesn't itT' inquired Jimmy, with an
air Of finality.
Eyes, it does. 1t means that I'll have
a goodly bit of the necessary long
green and that Virginia and / can be
married"
Some two weeks later Bayard was
notified by the express company that
there was package there for him
with $40 due on it, shipped from Chi
cago. Bayard knew at once that 1t
was some of Aunt Lucy's valuable sill
yer sent on to him. Jimmy would lend
him the money to pay for 1t.
The bin was paid, and the big pack
ing case was ordered sent to virginia's
house and Jimmy duly invited around
to participate In the unpacking. Ham
mer and chisels were put to use, and
all three of them entered into the gay
spirit of the party. Piles Of packing
were pulled from the box, and finally
heavy gilt frame came to view.
Coats were taken off, and the COM
bined strength Of Jimmy and Bayard
was put to the test Finally the pic
ture was taken out. 1t proved to be
a life sized portrait of Bayard as a
child.
"Well, I'll be hangedy' declared Bay
ard as he mopped his brow.
Here's a letter." announced Jimmy
as he pulled long white envelope
from the corner of the frame. Vir-
ginia opened it and read aloud:
Your aunt, Miss Leighton, left her
entire estate to charities. She wills
and bequeaths to you this portrait of
yourself. The portion of the will re-
lating to you reads as follows: Il leave
no money to my dear nephew, Bayard
Leighton, because / do not wish to
shatter his ideal method of life. He
is earning a good salary and has good
health. AS a slight token of my af-
lection and as remembrance l leave
him the Gilbert portrait of himself
which now hangs in my library"
isn't it darlingv cried Virginia as
she danced about the huge portrait.
But you can't go to housekeeping
with nothing but an old oil painting"
demurred Bayard.
Seems to me-" broke in Jimmy,
that there's plenty Of wood right here
to build the house. and it won't take
long to cover the walls. There's the
oil painting to begin with. Then we
can have that letter framed. I'm sure
Bayard never wants to part with that.
Then I'll give you large photograph
Of myself, and
whats all this nonsense about GO
ing to housekeeping" interrupted Mr..
Tracey. Virginia's father, as he came
into the room. when these young
people get married-and l wish they'd
hurry up about it-they must come
and live with me. Virginia can change
her name whenever she wants to, but
not her residence. And as for this
legacy business, I'd rather have a man
for my son-in-law who can fight his
own way than one who was made by
an Inheritance
Mr.. Tracey picked his way across
the room over the pine boards, chisels
and excelsior packing. He took his
daughter in one arm as he extended
his free hand to Bayard.
do you mean it?' sang out Bayard
gleefully.
"Mean itY' echoed Mr.. Tracey. well,
l bet l do. and to prove it I'll take
Jimmy Bookwalter into the dining
room and keep him there until you
two settle on date for the wedding"
The words dining room" seemed to
awaken Jimmy from his stupor. He
had mental picture of sideboard
plentifully stocked with reviving liq-
uors. He announced that he was
ready for the proof Of Mr.. Tracey's
assertion, and together they went out
Of the room, leaving the lovers alone.