The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1909-03-09

| Jimmy, an give CnaTley MS answer.
Tell him don't know, an l don't
want to know"
As Jimmy went up the walk he saw
his mother at the sitting room win
dow, very white and moaning family.
He rushed inside. His father met him,
all his hale ruddiness changed to ash.
en- gray. Charley had come and sat al
Squire Marions desk, his pen racing
over a sheet Of legal cap. without
looking up he called: Saddle me q
fresh horse. Jimmy. the best you've
got. The minute this is signed must
ride like the devil"
"Whut's up?" Jimmy demanded. His
father clutched his shoulder. leaned
heavily upon It and gasped: Son, son,
we're on the edge of ruinl Charley
found out early this mornin' that GU
Magee had run away with all the
county money! An me on bis bond
for $5oO00l ! trusted Gu like my
own brotherF
There, there, Uncle JIM" Charley
interposed. walls have ears some
times, and we must not leave one
loophole In this precious document.
It's deed of gift Jimmy. Uncle Jim
makes over to you everythlng-land,
money, stock and crops"
"Whut forf' Jimmy asked. his eyes
wide.
Charley laughed shortly. "For the
best OF reasons--to save himself from
beggary and keep roof over his
head. But I've written 1t down
for a consideration of 81, love and
natural affection. Sign. quick, Uncle
Jim. Unless this goes on record be-
fore GIN Magee's Franks get wind It
VIII be worth less than the paper it's
written on"
"oh, it's hardr' the cid man moaned.
"In my old age tool never did think
could be brought to any Of them COW
erin up tricks. I've been SO proud to |
hear folks say, AS honest as a Mar
ion But what else can l dor I'm |
old-seventy next month"; / can't let
my home gol / can't take my wife 10
the poorhousew
you'll have me, pappy, no matter
whit comes Jimmy said, lifting his
head and throwing bis arm about bis
fathers bowed shoulders. SO holding
him he moved to where his mother
sat. lifted her TO her feet and with his
free arm drew her to his breast. Then
he turned to his cousin and said clear
II: Charley it was good in you to
think of US this away. But | can't
see things your way. Now GUS gone
bad. by the Lord, he shan't take old
Jim Marion with him. love the place
every stock an stone an red clay hill I
in 1t, next tony own people But I
won't keep 1t unless can keep 1t hon
est
tAre you crazyy Charley broke In.
II can change the beneficiary In
trice. Say. Uncle Jim, won't you trust
me? I'll certainly never take advan.
tage Of your trust. Speak quick. We
have Just three hours grace, and 1t
will take two at least to get back to
the courthouse
I'll don't believe / kesr TO save
things except for Jimmy" Squire Mar
Ion began brokenly.
Charley sprang to his feet and step
ped In front of his cousin. He was
white with anger and apprehension.
In high, shaken voice he cried: For
Gods sake, Jimmy, don't doom your
father and mother to beggary. 1t
makes me feel like shooting ron to
hear you bubble and pirate when all
their comfort, II may be their lives,
hangs on the matter Of a minute"
4They have got me-" Jimmy reiter
ated.
Charley flung up his hands. sYoulr
he cried, with the intensest scorn.
what are you? What can you do
without money or brainsr'
"Work-aIl day an all night" Jim
ny said sturdily. Charley drew back a
step, his face twitching. He bit his
lips hard before he went on.
another thing think of Cressy. She
viii end by marrying you If you keep
The place. 1t Is that which has stood
between me and winning her. know
II. Remember. ! am speaking now
against myself cannot do less In
lace OF all owe my uncle and my
dear. good aunt. Speak to Jimmy,
both of you. If he still refuses TO save
ron. sign this deed and put it In nay
power"
Mrs. Marion nestled close TO her son.
Her husband broke away from them
md leaned from the open window.
Timmy's eyes followed the fathers
rae as 1t rested upon the familiar
fields, the trig barns, the deep, shad-
ivy woodlands betting the clear land.
Gould they give 1t up and go away,
strangers In strange land?
Stronger. more insisteRt was the
hought Of Greasy How should beg
.ar lift eyes to herr No. net beggar
except for work! Somehow the word
xas q tonic. He faced half about.
rev his mother In front Of him and
aid, with many breaks: tCharley-I-
can't talk with you. But the Lord
help me--to show Lean work with
Feu.s
Squire Marion stepped beside bis
Ion. linked arms and said: ruin or
10 ruin. Charley. I'll do as Jimmy
avs. If the monsy must al 50, let Il
- =. 81 a