The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1911-07-15

the Office TO the dinner table where
he was reused from reverie. "Son.
l reckon well ple-ow the se-outh
meadow tomorrow mornin'." The voice
at the other end of the table was afro
cious in its affected country accent.
"An right. pap" Marshall agreed,
genially. Then he added, with a sig
nificant glance at the bald head of the
speaker; but was thinkin' some that
the uplands ought to be seeded down"
Under cover of that he escaped to
his room and sat down to write ex-
planning his intended change of vaca-
ton
His thoughts shunted while he sat
with poised pen and med1tative air.
He dallied again with comparisons Of
, GreenviIle fire-fies and Broadway
lights. Mary Garvis and the luxury
! fringed Miss Hanscom.
| There was a favorite picture on the
table before him. Mary Garvis had
snapped a view of his mother in the
| buggy. Marshall tucked it in behind
| another picture and then fetched 1t
right out again. 1t didn't strike him
right to relegate his mothers face to
such oblivion
] Immersed in his letter at last he
was surprised by a knock Young
Thompson was there. Invited in he
gravely took his seat on the edge of
chair and turned his hat rim through
nervous fingers. Once he started to
speak and failed Trying again with
out success the color mounted heavily
to his face.
Il had a chance to steal fifty dollars
this morning" he finally blurted out
Il didn't take it. but
Then Marshall listene. while the
| boy told tale of populations. 1t was
tale Of wanting better clothes, the
theater, restaurants. He had lied
about being promoted and spent
money to prove the lie. Marshall re-
membered the boys proud mother and
shook his head
And now" he queried, gently kind.
while the boy studied the floor.
Now I'm going to back upI"
Thompson vehemently declared. III
take what's coming to me and start
over My mother will stand by me
and-maybe-; there used to be a
girl, you see. l wish to glory l never
had got the notion she was too plain
and slow for me. Maybe she will
help ne to start over"
UNI" Marshall unused, absently.
she was the snub-nosed kind with the
big mouth, eh?"
Thompson seemed astonished to
find that the chief clerk knew any
thing about her. He looked up quick
ly to see Marshall drumming fingers
on the table, with lips pursed thought
fully.
It's bad business, Ben" Marshall
suddenly declared. You are no bet
ter than any common thief that skulks
the streets unwashed. A stone cell.
prison barber and stripes are rightful-
Iy yours because you have earned
them"
The boy trembled but offered no
protest. The chief clerk continued
quietly.
But believe your talk about back
ing up. For your mothers sake and
in the name of the plain girl I'm go
ing to lend you money to make up.
Now. son." Marshall crossed over be-
side the breaking-down boy and laid
a hand on his shoulder softly, we've
been fools; but we'll work hard to
wipe it out. Well back up, as you
say, and then we'll stay backed up.
beside truth. honesty and the good.
plain people"
Marshall went back to the table,
where the picture of his mother faced
him. Picking up the half-fnished let
ter he destroyed it and threw the
pieces into waste basket Then he
turned to usher out his subordinate,
who was trying to stammer some
heartfelt, humble thanks.
Get down to the Office early to-
morrow. Thompson" Marshall re-
quested. Tell Mr. Mason that l took
a train for Greenville this evening to
spend my vacation Tell him" Mar
shall chuckled to relieve the tension
tell him If you want that | was in
hurry to help with the August crop
Of daisies. He won't know the diff
ference"