The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1909-12-29

Inc man anu INC DOy ndu DtCOllc
great friends. They walked among
the hills ogether-walked as far as
the man cared to go. They rowed
upon the lake-the boy doing the
rowing and the man lounging on the
stern seat and dabbling his long white
hands in the clear water.
''It's a sort of life to lead" the
man told the boy. But unhappily
We cant live on ozone, or go market
ing for mama. There's the primal
curse of work to be considered, boy,
and few OF us can escape it,"
The boy stared at him, then bright
B nodded - and the man nodded
back.
'"Detter to-day, sir?"
''No worse, boy"
The lad rowed on in silence. He
had known the man for three weeks,
and knew that he liked to sit and
dream and must not be interrupted.
Presently the man raised his eyes
TO the boy.
'Elmer," he said, 81 am going
away next week-going back to the
fierce old town"
The face Of tho boy clouded
'I am awfully sorry, sir" he said.
"ThanN you, Elmer I know yor
mean it," He stared at the boy. I'D
like to do something for you before
go, but I've nothing to give you,
hoy. I'm as close TO broke as a man
can be and get cut of town. That's
why must go back to the old grind. 4"
81 don't want you to give me any
thing, sir" said the boy. II can re-
member you without any gift to re-
mind me. We've had good time to-
gether, haven't we, sir?"
"a fine time, Elmer. You're one
boy in thousand. Funny how
stumbled on you. was pretty blue
that day-blue with yellow spots.
My legs were bad and my head was
thick. And you came by whistling.
Then you stopped whistling and
looked at me. Something wrong,
sir?' you said. Everything | an
swered. What can l do for you?'
you asked. I don't know l an
swered. You stared at me for a mo-
ment. Like boat ride?' you asked.
Anything you care to suggest, / an
swered. So you took me out in this
boat and We floated about on the
sunny waters and when my head be-
gan to droop you rowed me ashore
and l slept on the soft turf under the
trees with your coat for a pillow"
Il remember, SIR" said the boy.
You looked to me like very sick
man, and when you were asleep l
came and looked at you every little
while to see If you were still breath
ing"
THAT was thoughtful" said the
man. "But this weak old heart is
humping yet. 1t even seems to me
that its thump is stronger, The kind
ly doctors gave me four weeks to
stay here Now I'm going to fool
Them by going back"
I'D like to go with you," said the
boy. He had stopped rowing and
was staring at the pale face with its
dusky eyes.
The man shook his head.
mot the journey I'm going" he
slowly said. Then he smiled But
would like to give you a little start,
boy" he said. you are a lad with
the commercial instinct strongly de-
reloped. / see it in your face. 1
read it in your hand What you need
is beginning. l don't see anything
here for you, but perhaps you should
have an added year or two before you
leave this snug harbor."
The boy nodded.
I'm eighteen" he said. "I SUD-
pose that's pretty young for boys who
want good jobs in the big town. OF
course don't want to be a messenger
boy or an errand boy. I can do as
well as that down here. And there's
something wanted to ask you about.
IT'S an idea that came to me last
night" His tone suddenly grew eag-
er, his eyes sparkled
Il know as little about business as
a baby rabbit" said the man, ''but
: I'm very sympathetic. Let's hear the
scheme"
The boy turned the boat a little
and pointed toward the shore.
You see that small shed there by
the big boat landing?"
Yes"
ITS an old boathouse and belongs
to Farmer Jaynes. What would you
say If told you 1 thought of renting
Il for a. store?'
The man laughed.
"As my advice would be of no ac-
count" he said, 81 will withhold it
until further particulars are at hand.
What sort Of store do you mean, and
why should you start it?"
1t would be the sort of store that
should attract people who came up to
the village on the Sylvan Glen from
Aurora. There are lots of them dur
ing the season, and they seem to have
plenty of money for little things. /
would keep full line of picture post
cards, and little curious things for
souvenirs, and some agates from the
old quarry, and I'll get Patty Lane.