Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1909-04-30

THE EXTENSION PHONE


The man on the couch pushed away
his pillow and sat up. Then he took
his watch from the small table that
held his pitcher of lemonade and the
extension phone and looked at the
time.
Ten o'clock" he lluttered.
He pushed his hand across his fore
head and crowded the gray locks back.
"All right now" he said.
He was a man past middle age, n
man with n stoop iii his shoulders and
lines Of care about his gray eyes and
his firm mouth. a nan whose life had
been a struggle and who III victor!
wore the scars of conflict.
"Getting old he told himself.
Here's 10 o'clock, and I'm still david
| ling at home. If Jennie keeps on max
ing me believe I'm wearing out I'll find
| myself on the retired list. whether !
want to go there or not. And that
would simply be the equivalent of q
death sentence. But I'm good for a
dozen years yet. The fact that
couldn't eat my breakfast isn't any
proof that I'm on the road to chronic
invalidism. And yet hats what Jennie
would have me believe. It's indiges-
| ton, that's all 1t is. And that brought
on the headache, too. But Iii al! right
now"
He walked to the dresser. made n
few passes at his thinning hair with
the brush, and put on his Old-fashioned
collar and black tie.
THEN he paused and surveyed him
self with a thoughtful air, and engaged
In real deep thought.
you'll have to brace up and sharp
Ell your Wits" he said to the reflection.
You're up against a stiff fight, old
boy. The Carson company is hot on
your trail. They are leaving no stone
unturned to get your trade away from
you. But you'll bea them out, old boy,
you'll beat them out" He drew his
lips tightly together and nodded at him
self with a grim smile. "vvhat was it
Jarvis said about the Young manager
they are negotiating with? Called him
way from San Francisco to look their
plant over. Been here Il week and go
Ing to give them an answer Tomorrow
He 'chuckled. "How I'd enjoy buying
the fellow away from them. l must
see what Jarvis can do. IL he's the
crackerjack they say he is. he's lust
the man l need. I'll call up Jarvis now
ana tell him to meet me ut noon" He
turned away from the dresser. LET
me see-what day Is this" A sudden
hadow crossed his face as his eyes
sought the framed calendar on the
wall. II know what day it is" he MUIR
INJURED. Its Miles birthday. l
woke up In the night thinking about it.
l wonder If her mother remembers:
What a fool question! That's the rea-
son her eyes were so red this morning,
On. well, l did right. / did what any
self-respecting father would do. When
Mile turned against me and fatty dis
obeyed me, after all I had done for
her, there was but one way left for me.
let her have her choice. Either to
give up the man, or give up her people
and her home. She knew had ambi-
nous views for her, that l wanted her
to marry we'll, to marry a man of prop.
erty and standing-and she deliberate
~ threw away her chances to wed thu.
~ "ANi SNdltS IL 1oIIHT IN
the world. Six years ago" He paused
an instant. II Wonderland. I'm get
ting sentimental. Mile Haunted her
dlsobedience In her fathers face. she
made her choice-let her abide by it."
He turned abruptly. "Now to call I'D
Jarvis He paused. Il hear Jennie
stirring in the hall below. I'd better
get away quietly without her knowing
It. h makes such a fuss when she
thinks I'm not feeling right. Hank,
she's coming upstairs. III pretend to
be asleep"
He stretched himself on the couch
and putting his head on the pillow
closed his eyes.
A moment later u woman appeared
in the door, a woman whose abundant
white hair crowned a pale and gentle
face. The IN paused in the door
way with her gaze turned toward the
couch. Then she noiselessly approach
cd and looked down at the man. She
softly touched his gray hair, and gen
tly patted the pillow. Then she moved
to the nearest window and drew down
the shade. With another glance at the
inquire on the couch she went out as
quietly as she had entered, and closed
the door behind her.
The man on the couch opened his
eyes and sat UP
That was Il shame" he muttered.
Poor Jennie. This is a hard day for
her. I'll wait until she is settled in
her sewing room and then I'll steal
way. Rut first l must call Jarvis,
He reached for the receiver in the
extension set on the table and put it
to his ear.
Somebody's talking down stairs"
he muttered, with Il quick frown. Then
a look of surprise crossed his face. His
grip on the receiver t%ightened.
The unknown at the other end of the
wire had asked a question that greatly
startled him.
1t was: "Is this you. mother, DEAR
lie could not quite ca .ch the answer
of the person who WAS talking 1T the
phone in the hail below. EGt ,a knew
who WIS t,:ere, and j. s;sss sea tie :s.i-
sTer.
Yes, mother, | knoW What day it Is.