Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1910-03-16

we kin jest now. but hope to send him
some more bime by We had some
money saved up for old age. but we've
been a-drawin' on it for Tom and this
is all there is left"
When she went out with her draft
found myself boiling with indigna.
ton at this worthless scamp. who was
sucking the lifeblood out of his old
father and mother-even his sweet
heart
There was visit from the sweet
heart after this TO ask for a draft of
$3.50. which convinced me that Tom
had accepted the last amount she had
sent him. Then one day the old farm
er came in pale and trembling. evident
~ just out of sickbed. with the
check of mortgage company for ST.
600. He asked for draft in exchange
for it payable to this vampire of a son
We bankers make it rule to mind our
own business, but | had reached
point where | could no longer refrain
from warning this poor old man.
$50 you have mortgaged your farm
to send money to your SOM" l said.
Yes: Toms in powerful need of
money. The mine he thought was
goin' to turn out so fine petered out.
He says it closed up as he went down
instead of openin'"
And you lost all the money you sent
him for the Developments
Yes. we lost it." replied the old man
with tremulous voice.
Aren't you afraid you1l lose this
| too?"
Il dunno. Toms got another mine
He says he's sure O. this"
"Of course it's no business of mine
but don't like TO see you. an old man.
mortgaging your farm TO send money
to son who should be giving you
money instead Of you giving it TO him
Suppose you can't pay the interest on
the mortgage when it is due. You will
lose your farm"
The old man stood wiping his face
with a bandanna handkerchief, the pic
ture of misery.
II know what yer mean" he said.
but ma she won't keep back any
thing the boy wants. She never did.
l always told her she'd spoil him.
I'm afraid she has spoiled him.
You should know that your son is not
wasting your money at gambling or
something like that and telling you
that he's on the verge of making a
fortune in mine before risking any
more money on him.
r. 7 @nn
| At this moment the draft was laid
! before me bur instead of handing it
to him said:
Hadn't you better think this over?'
He stood, his eyes fixed on vacancy.
slowly swaying or lettering. and 1
knew there was great contest going
on in his mind His love for his boy
conquered.
I'm 'bliged to you, Mr. Cashier. and
mebbe you're right. but alluS believ-
ed in my Tom. and | can't go back on
him now"
| handed him the draft. and he scuf-
fed slowly out of the bank
The old man must have borrowed
/ all he could on his farm. considering
the transaction as a sale. for be failed
to pay the first interest that fell due
on the mortgage | knew this. because
l saw in a newspaper a legal notice
of foreclosure proceedings on his
farm.
Well" | sighed. laying down the
paper. the old man has given his
home to his reprobate son; he has
nothing more to give. shall not suf-
fer again at seeing him come into the
bank to do what l can't prevent his
doing"
The same day / met the young girl
on the street whom | was sure was
Toms sweetheart. stopped her and
asked:
us Farmer Williams turned out OF
house and home"
mot yet sir
But he will Beg"
Il suppose so.''
HAS his son sent him ANYTHING tc
help him?'
mo. sir He wrote to say that be
was awful sorry to see the farm go
but he could not help it,
'H'm. Do you think son who will
treat his father and mother like that
would treat a wife any betterY
Tears came into her eyes. was
ashamed at giving her this useless
pain. | walked on
About a month after this strappins
young fellow with a fine. manly face
came into the bank and said he wished
to open an account. assented ant
he made deposit of $49506
will you please leave your sigma
ture in this book?'' ! said. He tool
up pen and wrote:
Thomas Williams"