Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1909-03-09

cAlh VI AkAth5 We btCh ~ pAONA ~
hear folks say, AS honest as a Mar
ion. But what else can do? I'm
old--seventy next MONTH / can't let
my home gol I-can't take my wife to
the poorhouse!"
you'll have me, pappy, no matter
whut comes" Jimmy said, lifting hts
head and throwing his arm about his
fathers bowed shoulders. Sc holding
him he moved to where his mother
sat, lifted her 10 her feet and with his
free arm drew her to his breast. Then
be turned to his cousin and said clear
ly: Charley, 1t was good IN You to
think of US this away. But ! can't
see things your way. Now Gin's 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
In It, next tony own people. But
won't keep it unless l can keep it hon
est
care you crazyT7 Charley broke In.
Il can change the beneficiary in 3
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 It
will take two at least to get back to
the courthouse"
IL don't believe l keer 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 a high, shaken voice he cried: 'FOr
Gods sake, Jimmy, don't doom your
father and mother to beggary. 1t
makes me feel like shooting you to
hear you bubble and pirate when all
their comfort, it may be their lives,
hangs on the matter Of a minute"
"They have got me-" Jimmy reiter-
ated
Charley flung up his hands. Your
he cried, with the intensest scorn
what are your What can you do
without money or brainsT
"Work-all day an all night" jim
my 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
will end by marrying you If you keep
the place. It is that which has stood
between me and winning her. I know
It. Remember. l am speaking now
against myself. l cannot do less in
face Of all ] owe my uncle and my
dear good aunt Speak to Jimmy,
both Of you. If he still refuses to save
you, sign this deed and put it in my
power"
Mrs. Marion nestled close TO her son.
Her husband broke away from them
and leaned from the open window.
Jimmys eyes followed the fathers
gaze as it rested upon the familiar
fields, the trig barns, the deep, shad-
owy woodlands betting the clear land.
Could they give 1t up and go away,
strangers in a strange land?
Stronger, more insistent was the
thought of Cressy. How should beg
gar lift eyes to herr No, not beggar
except for work! Somehow the word
was a tonic. He faced half about,
drew his mother in front of him and
said, with many breaks: "Charley-I-
I-can't talk with you. But the Lord
help me--to show Lean work with
you"
Squire Marion stepped beside bis
son, linked arms and said: Ruin or
no ruin, Charley, I'll do as Jimmy
says. If the money must all go, let it.
Lord, what is all the property in the
world beside fndin' that I've got
real man fer my SOM"
1.-THE best man in the world" Cressy
cried, breaking tempestuously from
an ambush Of half closed door 81
had to come home right behind you"
she painted to Jimmy. "It-it is not
true-what he said" nodding toward
Charley. "NOw you have lost every
thing else ] ask you toto take me-"
amen. The Lord be praised"
Squire Marion said, catching Greasy
In his arms. Charley darted away,
swearing under his breath. Jimmy?
Jimmy put his head upon his mothers
shoulder and cried for the first time
since he was ten years old.
Jimmy showed the stuff he was
made of by working through five hope
less years trying to save the home
stead, mortgaged TO its full value.
Cressy helped him, singing about the
place, her face always sunshiny. her
tempers all blown away. Still, there
was rejoicing indeed, when Gill Ma
gee came back from the KIondike with
money enough to make good all his
luckless sureties had paid Little jim
aged four high In the arms Of his dot
ing Grandmother, held the Cancelled
mortgage in candle flame and
laughed to see it burn. Across the
hearth the grandfather looked on with
eyes that did not see and murmured
brokenly, THE righteous shall not be
forsaken nor his seed beg bread"