Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1910-10-13
The Spendthrift
By ]. BERRY CRAPO
Copyright, 1910, by American Press
Association.

Mrs. Merriman had fortune, but
she feared at times that her son Jack
would run through it before she was
herself done with it. and then poor,
dear Jacky-what would he do?" Jack
was a lovable fellow, with lots Of
friends who adored him, belonged to a
number Of clubs-indeed, was in every
thing that induced the expenditure Of
money.
Mother" he said to her one day
after a lecture, there's no use in my
trying to get on economically here,
where the temptation to spend is so
great / must go elsewhere. What do
you say to my resigning from all my
clubs and societies and going to law
school, where l can learn a profession
that will enable me to take care of
you, my dear mumsey. in your old
age"
Jack Merriman that autumn entered
a university located where there was
nothing but the college and entered
for the degree Of bachelor of laws. But
the leopard cannot change his spots
Jack found several rich students in
the institution who had automobiles.
What was there to do in the country
during hours when he was not study
ing except to run over the smooth
roads? What was more simple than
to pay a few hundred dollars down
for a machine and give his note on it
for the rest? SO he scraped together
the few hundred dollars and bought
$4,000 machine.
One afternoon during the Indian
summer, when the warm sunlight
shOne upon the many cOlored leaves
that were beginning to die on the trees,
Jack Merlfman, with Edith Ashurst
beside him and Bob Oyeraker and Sa-
die Chandler on the rear seat, was run
ming over to B. for dinner and ride
back in the cool moonlight. He had an
uncle in B., and there was danger i'll
his going there, but he risked it.
All went well as a marriage bell till
the party rode up to the hotel where
the dinner had been ordered by tele-
phone. Jack was about to take off his
goggles and help Miss Ashurst out
when he espied his uncle coming down
the street 1t was too late to push on,
for those in the rear seat were getting
out and the uncle was nearly upon
them In a hurried whisper Jack told
Miss Ashurst that the man was his
uncle and that they were all to go into
the hotel If the uncle asked Ques-
tons he was not to be Jack Merriman,
but Tom Oglethorpe.
When Mr.. Merriman, ST., came
along Jack was at the wheel. his Cog
giles still over his eyes, turning on the
connection.
Jack! Hello! Wait minute" call
ed the uncle.
Anything I can do for you, sir?"
said Jack. the machine chugging as
though impatient to be off.
What are you doing here? And this
machine-have you been wasting your
mothers money!"
What are you talking about, and
who are you, anyway? I've no time to
fool here. I've got to be at D., forty
miles away, in an hour"
do you mean'-putting on pair Of
spectacles-"to say that you're not
Jack Merriman?"
"Do you mean to say that you're not
laundering old idiot? Get out of the
way, l say. I'm losing precious time"
Jack started the automobile, just
grazing the old gentleman's toes. and
was soon out of sight. Mr. Merriman
looked after him doubtfully, then,
muttering something like I'D have
sworn it was he," passed on by the
hotel, stopped, pondered, went back
and entered by the same door that the
party had gone in. They were waiting
for him in the reception room. Bob
Overaker accosted him in the hall.
81 say, sir, has the automobile
gomez
1.-THE one in front of the door? Yes"
That's too bad
ooh, DEAR cried Miss Ashurst.
"Tom's gone off with all the wraps.
Wen have to ride home without them,
and it's getting colder every moment"
"'Tom,' did you say?" asked Mr.
Merriman.
Eyes, SIR put in Overaker, "Tom
Oglethorpe, my cousin. Do you know
him, sir?"
1.-THE gentleman in the automobile"
replied Mr. Merriman, Every much re-
sembles my nephew, John Merriman.
Indeed, was sure he was my nephew.
Do you say he is your cousin? What
is your name?"
my name is Spangler, sir. Tom
Oglethorpes mother is my aunt"
HIM" muttered Mr. Merriman. I'm
obliged to you for correcting me.
came very near making a grave mis-
take. Good evening"
Half an hour afterward Jack, hav-
ing left his auto at a garage, sneaked
in at the back door and learned what
had occurred. Then, directing that no
one should be admitted to the dining
room the marty sat down to dinner