Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1909-03-10
CHAPTER XIV.
1.-THE Best Laid Plans"

up to the Neck road. l didn't ask no
questions. He could speak first or be
still. I'd had my dose. Nobody can
call me nosey.
He did speak first. well, skipper"
he says, finally.
We'll, Mr.. Hartley" says 1.
why don't you ask me what my
scheme is? Aren't you curious?''
"Scheme?" says 1. Scheme? l amt
much of a schemer, myself Nice
weather we're having, amt it?"
He laughed. SOL" says he. 81 like
you. You're the right sort-you and
Scudder.'
Drat him! Why did he want to spoil
it all by that last?
Virtue must be it's own reward.
then, fairs I'm concerned" says, pref,
getting no other kind Pity me and
Nate couldn't divide the substantials
more equal"
His face clouded right up. Money!"
he says, disguised, kicking a stick out
of his way. Don't you for one minute
believe that money means happiness"
"All right" I says. 81 amt contra
dieting you. You've had more ex-
perience with it than l have Some
times it seems as if l could manage
to bear up under a couple of thousand
or so without shedding more'n a buck
ct of tears; but I'm open to convic-
tion-like the Teller that said he stole
the horse, but they'd got to show proof
enough to satisfy him.
Twas some minutes afore he come
out of his blue fit. Then he says:
The scheme is this: l determined
to see what could be done to make
things easier for the Sparrow girl.
The only solution seemed to be the
getting rid of papa"
IF you'd waited long enough" l
says, maybe his consumptive dys-
pepsy would have saved you the
trouble
Il wish I had your faith" says he
you have. The same kind. Washy's
is different. His doctrine is faith with
out work. Go on
$50 tried to think of some way to
that Scuddsr owned the Sparrow place
l saw my chance. Scudder and |
consulted. He was willing to lose his
tenants provided he didn't lose the
rent. The rent was nothing; l
promised to make that good until our
season here was over and Eureka
could return home. But l made it
oil hot WI Cha
her father mustn't return with her.
He must be provided for somewhere
else. Then we saw the doctor and
Morton the minister. Morton was
somewhat prejudiced, owing to Vans
rattle, but he's pretty decent fellow
and seemed to think what he called a
good action on my part might offset
even a bedquilt gamble. So between
us we fixed it up.
"Old Sparrow is offered a job as
general shoveler and brick carrier
over there at the hotel. They're build
ing new addition, you know. Brown,
the manager, said he'd take him on,
as favor to me. He has been offered
the place. If he doesn't accept, why,
can't stay in his house any longer.
You should have seen him when we
broke the news last night"
"S'pose he don't accept" l asks.
What about the children?"
They'll be looked out for. Lycurgus
will board at Scudder's. Eureka will
stay with us. Editha and the baby
will no nd fod hu he inic or
The others are to have good boarding
places and go to school. Every one
is willing to help the family, but they
won't keep the old rascal. 1t has
worked out beautifully"
Hold on minute" says /. Its
all right, as a clam. But Eureka
won't let her dad suffer even though
she knows there amt nothing really
the matter with him. And who's going
can't"
I'll attend to that" says he, i'm
patient. 1T isn't enough to signify.
And it will be all settled before Eu-
reka knows it. The old man will take
the job"
''Pll bet a cooky he don't" l says.
But it'll make him scratch gravel one
way or mother. Bully for you, Mr..
Hartley! I'm glad I'm along to see
the fun
'The fun was last night" says he.
"Caesari how he did cough and groan.
And then swear. But here's the rest
of the crowd
They were waiting for us on the
corner. DIR. Penrose was there, and
Mr.. Morton, and Cap'n Benijah Pound
berry, chairman of selectmen, and
Scudder, and Peter T. Brown, manager
of the Old Home house. They was
all laughing, and thinking the whole
thing a big joke.
Mr.. Hartley" says the doctor. Il
wish you were to be a permanent
resident. There are few more more
cases of this kind I'd like to have you
oI-1 L.