Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1910-03-09

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 a visit from the sweet
heart after this to ask for draft Of
$780, 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
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 son.
We bankers make it rule to mind our
own business, but had reached a
point where l could no longer refrain
from warning this poor old man.
$50 you have mortgaged your farm
to send money to your SOM" said.
Eyes; Toms in powerful need Of
money. The mine he thought was
goin' to turn out SC fine petered out.
He says 1t closed up as he went down
instead Of openin'."
"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?"
II dunno. Toms got another NINE
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 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."
THAT'S what tell ma"
At this moment the draft was laid
before me- but instead of handing it
to him l said:
Hadn't you better think this over?'
He stood. his eyes fixed on vacancy,
slowly swaying or tottering, and
knew there was great contest going
on in his mind. His love for his boy
conquered.
"Im 'bliged to you, Mr.. Cashier, and
mebbe you're right, but allus believ-
ed in my Tom. and can't 60 back on
him now"
I 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
l saw in a 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. shall not suf-
fer again at seeing him come into the
bank to do what I can't prevent his
doing"
The same day I met the young girl
on the street whom l was sure was
Toms sweetheart. stopped her and
asked:
SIS Farmer Williams turned out of
house and homer
mot yet. SIR"
"But he will be"
II suppose So"
"Has his son sent him anything to
help him?"
mo, sir. He wrote to say that he
was awful sorry to see the farm 60.
but he could not help it."
"H'm. Do you think son who will
treat 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 strapping
young fellow with fine, manly face
came into the bank and said he wished
to open an account assented, and
he made deposit Of $49,506.
evil you please leave your sigma
ture in this bookY' I said. He took
ZIP pen and wrote:
Thomas Williams"
"You Tom Williams" I exclaimed.
"Yes. What do you know about
meT'
"son Of Farmer williams9" ~
"Yes."
"Sold your miner"
Eyes; I've sold mine in Colorado,
or two-thirds Of It. This money I'm
leaving with you is the first cash pay
wont. <tnro oro %vvo nthorc, 81 cSn 000