Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1910-06-17
THE WEALTHY
BROTHER


rested the attention Of Silas. and in
terrupted his peaceful reyerie. He did
not, however, recall his thoughts suiil-
ciently to realize its proximity, but
continued 70 drink IN the scene before
him with as much delight as II II we're
the FIRST time In his life he had watch
ed that glorious spectacle. Honk-honk-
honkl broke impntiently upon the
evening quiet Siias rose from his ac-
customed seat. but he did not turn
until the sun was fairly lost to view
behind Csaggy Point. marshaiiing into
line the ragged peaks jutting the hori-
zon, Ike a caravan crossing a desert.
sllhouetted against the opaline light
of a dying day. Then he scrambled
down the precipitous path and instlnc-
lively made his way through the un-
derbrush to the open HOnk-honkl
again disturbed the stiffness as Silas
emerged from the shadowy recesses Of
the barn.
"Horacei" he advanced with
alacTity, extending a callous, toll
stained hand, which was lightly gfaap-
ed by the gloved hand Of the automo-
bolist. "Glad TO see you; come right
ln--hayent been to supper. have yer2''
ALologetlcally: Sorry to have kept
yer waitin'; rs up An old fat rock
Seems to me Tnever see Craggy Point
tooS SO powerful grand as she did to
night"
Il can't stop to talk about that old
ledge. unless there's something there
that can be turned into money. I'm
here OF business; have an opportun-
ity to put you on easy street, II you'll
listen to me Sli. I'm interested in a
lumber company and they'll buy all
your standing timber, Just as 1t ia.
The price they'll pay will make you
independent for the rest OF your life;
now what do you say? I've got to get
back" consulting his watch, they'll
start cutting in two weeks time, II
you say the word"
Silas' rough hand stroked his chin,
a Characteristic gesture when he was
troubled or in deep thought.
you mean the East lot Horace?"
Il mean that and all the other. You
understand they'll take It all-every
stick Of timber you've got on the
place"
Those trees are han'som'- an'som.
er'n ever. now"
They'll pay you all they're worth
You ought to have confidence in me,
Sll. / tell you what; I've made money
"a lot of II; but there's lot more got
TO be made. too. 1t costs to keep up
to the mark these days"
81 got confidence in yer Horace,
/ 'tain't that. know yer powerful
smart In business. too, and I'm thank
full to yer; but / can't lest bring my
self to low those trees to be cut. yet
anyhow. You see Marthy sets sight
by those trees. She watches EN- the
whole year round Fust they're Jest
a little green, then the get greener
and denser, an so on. all along. Mar
thy watches EN- and talks bout 'em
every day. They're hanson; yer Jest
ought to see 'em nowl That side hills
fame o. color"
II dare say, but" sarcastically, do
| you ever think of the color Of the
money yo would get for those trees
| DclltNb II hi7
| lumber business is a side issue with
me, but Pm in a position to give you
a good show-something you might
not get II you had to sell to stranger.
It's like finding money. only better;
you don't have to pick 1t up; it's hand
ed to you"
81 know, Horace. know; but you
see Marthy and me don't need much
money: this old farm gets US a good
living"
Suit yourself, Sil. can't stop to
talk IL we can't do any business, but
it's mighty disgusting to man 10
have his brother drudging away on an
old farm when he might get out into
the world and live II he would only
make up his mind to do so. say,
sil, I'll keep the offer open till to-mor>
row night. Think It over, You may
change your mind"
Silas did think II over. He looked
at It from every point OF view his
imagination could call to mind, and
finally, as was always the case, he re-
ferred II to Martha.
Yer could go anywhere yer want
ed to and have most anything yer
see yer wanted" he reminded while
they were talking 1t over.
81 don't know as want TO go any
where. specially; and II had all the
things Horace's wife has I'd be bout
crazy with the care o. 'em. I'm
content as 1t Is. Silas. seems to me
we're pretty well of; course we amt
rich like Horace. but never though,
4 Of It before"
silas didn't stroke his chin; in
stead. his rough hand sought his
wife's and held It contentedly. And
that evening when he claimbed to his
seat on FIAT rock" to watch the sun
sink behind the ragged peaks of Crag
gy Point. he knew the answer to his
brother's oifer would go unchanged
| LENA gpAIDING