The Randall County news. (Canyon City, Tex.) 1908-1926, 1910-03-25

money saved up for old age. but we'v
been a-drawin' on 1t for Tom. and thi
10 all there Ia left"
j''' When she went out with her draf
found myself boiling with indigna
ton at this worthless scamp. who wa
sucking the lifeblOOd out Of bis OF,
father and mother-even his sweet
heart.
There was visit from the sweet
heart after this to ask for a draft O.
1850. which convinced me that Ton
had accepted the last amount she ha(
sent him. Then one day the old farm
er came in pale and trembling. evident
ly just out Of sickbed. with the
check OF mortgage company for ST..
600. He asked for draft in exchange
for 1t payable to this vampire of a son
We bankers make it rule to mind oul
own business, but | had reached d
point where | could no longer refrain
from warning this poor old man.
$50 you have mortgaged your farm
to send money to your ~" said.
49, AVN po"Gllul uttu vi
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 oDenin'."
And you lost all the money you sent
him for the development?
yes. we lost it," replied the old man
with a tremulous voice.
Aren't you afraid you'll 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 OH
the mortgage when 1t is due You will
lose your farm"
The old man stood wiping his face
with bandanna handkerchief, the pic
ture of misery.
81 know what yer mean" he said,
but ma she won't keep back any
thing the boy wants She never did.
always told her she'd spoil him."
"Fm 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."
''That's what tell ma"
At this moment the draft was laid
before me. but instead Of handing 1t
to him said
Hadn't you better think this over?"
He stood. his eyes fixed on vacancy.
slowly swaying or lettering, and /
knew there was great contest going
on in his mind His love for his boy
conquered
"Pm 'bliged to you, Mr. Cashier, and
mebbe you're right, but l allus believ-
ed in my Tom, and can't 60 back on
him now"
l 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 sale, for he failed
to pay the first interest that fell due
on the mortgage. knew this, because
saw in newspaper legal notice
Of foreclosure proceedings on his
farm.
WELL" 1 sighed. laying down the
paper. ''the old man has given his
home to his reprobate son; he has
nothing more to give. I shall not suf-
FER again at seeing him come into the
bank to do what can't prevent his
1oing."
The same day met the young girl
IN the street whom I was sure was
Toms sweetheart. stopped her ana
asked:
'Is Farmer Williams turned out of
house and homer"
Not yet. sir"
But he will be-"
II suppose So"
HAS his son sent him anything to
lelp him."
NO. SIT. lie wrote to say that he |
was awful sorry to see the farm go.
Dut he could not help it,"
HIN. Do you think a son who will
reat his father and mother like that
would treat wife any better?"
Tears came into her eyes. ! was |
ashamed at giving her this useless
pain. | walked on.
About month after this a strappins
roung fellow with fine, manly face |
,ame into the bank and said he wished |
10 open an account | assented, and |
he made deposit Of $49,506
viii you please leave your sigma
ure in this book?" ! said. He took !
Up a pen and wrote:
Thomas Williams"
You Tom Williams" / exclaimed
Yes. What do you know about |
ne?"
Son of Farmer Williams?"
Yes"
Sold your mine?"
Yes; I've sold a mine in Colorado, |
n two-thirds Of It, This money I'm