Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1909-05-13
CHAPTER XIV.
"The Beet Laid PIano."

We left the island early next day. |
rowed 20 the main and anchored the |
skin. Then me and Hartley walked |
up to the Neck road. 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. We'll. skipper" |
he says. finally.
well, Mr.. Hartley" says l.
why don't you ask me what my |
scheme is? Aren't you curious?"
"scheme?" says I. Scheme? amt |
much OF a schemer. myself. Nice
weather we're having, amt it?'
He laughed. SOL" says he. II 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 its own reward,
then. fairs I'm concerned" says, pref.
~ average dry. II don't seem to be
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 n stick out
OF his way. Don't you for one minute
believe that money means happiness"
IAN right" I says II amt contra.
dieting you. You've had more ex-
perience with It than have. Some
times II seems as II could manage
to bear up under a couple OF thousand
or so without shedding more'n buck.
ct OF tears: but I'm open to convic.
tlon--like the Teller that said he stole
the horse. but they'd got to show proof
enough to satisfy him"
Twas some minutes aforo he come
out OF his blue IT. Then he says:
The scheme is this; 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"
III you'd waited long enough"
says. maybe his consumptive dys.
pepsy would have saved you the
trouble"
Il wish had your falth.' says he.
You have. The same kind. Washy's
10 different. His doctrine Is faith with.
out work. Go on"
$50 tried TO think Of some way to
bring II about When you told me
that Scudder owned the Sparrow place
saw my chance. Scudder and
consulted. lie was willing TO lose his
tenants provided he didn't lose the
rent. The rent was nothing;
promised 10 make that good until our
season here was over and Eureka
could return home. But | made il
clear that when she did return home
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
rafie. but he's a pretty decent fellow
and seemed TO think what he called a
good action on my part might Offset
even q bedquilt gamble. So between
US we fixed II up.
"old Sparrow Is offered n job as
general shoyeler and brick carrier
over there at the hotel. They're build.
ing n new addition. you know. Brown.
the manager. said he'd take him on.
as q favor TO me, He has been offered
htig HlaNSs ut hbGbn uGNNHAs "hEf
out he goes. Scudder has told him he
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" 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 be roomed and fed by the minister.
places and go to school. Every one
I Is willing to help the family. but they
won't keep the old rascal. Il has
worked out beautifully"
, Hold on a 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
: TO pay ali the young ones board? she
, can't"
"Tn attend to that" says no. i'm.
patient. 1T isn't enough to signify.
And Il viii be all settled before Ecu.
reka knows II. The old man win take
the Job"
I'm bet 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 10 sas
the fun
THE fun was last night" says he,
|. "caesari how he did cough and groaA.
, And then sweRrl But here's the rest
OF the crowd"
They were waiting for IN on the
corner DIR. Penrose was there. and
i, Air. Morton. and cap'n Benljah Pound
berry. chairman OF selectmen. and
scudder. and Peter 4. Brown, manager
OF tho Old Home house. They was
: ali laughing. ana thinking the whole
!. thing big Joke.
mr.. Hartley" ssys the doetor. q