The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1909-12-16

lhe nerce eyes looked upon MIN cynical
Lawyers clerk. Auh?' said the sick
man. "Well, sit down. Don't stand there
like sick chimpanzee. What is it ?"
I'll haven't any business here at
all,'' gasped Jimmy. "I-I-had a fool
ideal wanted to see you got to the
door and the colored man brought me
up-Fm very sorry-I'll CO."
The vestige of a grin played round the
fierce face. "Tell us what it's all about,
young fellow" commanded the colonel.
Maybe I can laugh. Good laugh won't
hurt me now. Haven't had one in year.
Spout, young man, spout!'
Bronson nerved himself heroically and
speech came back to him.
Colonel" he exclaimed, eff it won't
tire you, I'll tell you all about it. 1
know you'll think I'm champion fool,
but I can't help it.
'My name is Jimmy Bronson. NV
folks are the best, most religious people
you ever saw. Pm engaged to the best
girl in the world and one of the most
religious. too"
said the colonel, with positive smile
[ see. You want me to boost some re-
ligious scheme, to soothe my passage to
the hot place, and to make you stand
good with the old folks and the young
lady"
mo, no, colonel protested Bronson.
'Hear me through, please. The girl and
! would have been married year ago
only I didn't feel as if I had the money
to support her as I'd like to. Well, I've
got it now.'
"Then where do 1 come in?" grinned
the colonel Bronson lifted a deprecating
hand.
cts the way got the money, colonel.
In all my life [ never gambled. Never
did anything wrong. Last Saturday,
colonel [ went to the racetrack with
a friend of mine-a fine boy, even if he
is little sporty. He said he had a tip
on a horse. I don't know why let him
influence mel know it was wrong-but
let him put up 500 for me. Pretty
soon he came and told me that my horse
won, but that he had something better
in the next race and wanted to put the
money back on it. I didn't want that
money, colonel. l knew it was wrong
to take it. I told him to do what he
wanted with it. Colonel, che rest of that
day was like an awful dream. I don't
know how it all happened; all I know
is this: That at the end of the races my
friend came to me and told me I was a
wonder and gave me a big package of
money. He said had copied five in
row, whatever that may be, and that he
had doubled each time and got swell
odds. Then he made me count the mon
ey. and there was $37,7OO in the roll.
Colonel, have the money to set up
housekeeping and to enjoy life little.
But how am I to explain? If my pa
rents knew won this money gambling
they would never speak to me again. If
the young lady knew it she would re-
fuse to even see me in the future. How
can I enjoy my money and make it do
the good it should, and yet avoid such
fearful trouble? %
The colonel howled. His shrieks and
squalls of merriment were like the rend-
ing of ships timber in a gale.
'My boy" said he, finally, "you are
indeed a bird. You are the wonder of
the age. I can fully appreciate your pre-
dicament, my son, but where do I come
in?''
Bronson had fully regained his nerve
and self-control.
ut was this way, colonel" he ex-
planned. II saw in the morning papers
that you were very i'll, and that the law
yers were coming to make your will. l
thought know you'll think I am an
idiot-that l would ask you to put
clause in your will stating that you
have already given me $37 900 for some
act of friendship in the past-some
imaginary favor done-and that you
wish it understood that this money, al
ready in my possession is to remain alb
solutely mine. Dc you see the idea. You
can seee how that would square me with
my folks and with the girl, and-and-
well, I'd bless your memory forever"
Again a paroxysm of delight seized
the dying man. When he had finished
his laugh he extended a thin but still
sinewy hand and grasped Jimmy's digits
firmly.
my boy said he, ''I'll do it. I'll state
that you rendered me great services years
ago, and you can square it with the girl
and your parents by some ingenious ex-
planation-frame that to suit yourself.
Leave it to me. What's your full name
and home address? 2"
Jimmy Bronson went home walking on
air. He slept soundly that night, with
only one sad thought to trouble him
the fact that so grand an old gentleman
as Col. Lawton must soon pass away.
At breakfast he scanned the morning
papers, eagerly hunting for items con-
corning the colonel. Ere long he found
one, and this was what it said:
''The illness of COL Richard Lawton
took a sudden turn for the better yes
terday afternoon. DIR. Ponsonby, the at
tendant physician, found the colonel in
high spirits and greatly improved when
he made his afternoon visit, and late last
night the colonel was sleeping peaceful
ly, with the glow of returning health
upon his face and delighted smile upon
his lips. DR.. Ponsonby now thinks the
old warrior will live for twenty years to
come"
The paper dropped from young Bron-
sons hands
''How on EARTH" moaned he, "am l
ever going to fix things up about that
money ?"-W. A. Phelon in the New York
Telegraph.