The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1913-02-22

had SET" she faltered.
cts set" said the Watermelon.
"well," said Billy, "then I will &c
back"
Good night" said the Watermelon.
Good night" said Billy, and lin.
gered. 3~
Tn, she laid her hand on his arm
and 8 ike in rush. ooh. Jerry, please
don't worry. If you want any money:
father has heaps. You can have all
you want"
The Watermelon drew bit nearer.
BILLY, Billy" said he softly.
Il think it must be terrible to wor
ry about money" Billy hurried on
Its not worth It."
I'm not worrying about money.
kid" said the Watermelon with 8
laugh. II have bunch. What made
| you think VASE"
Twice tonight you've counted you,
money"
"Esau's bowl of pottage," sneereG
the Watermelon, turning unconscious.
ly to the old familiarity with the
Bible. Say, Billy. if he found he
didn't like his pottage. could he give
it back and get his birthright again?"
Billy blushed. She was not sure who
Esau was. In dim way she remem.
bered the name and vaguely associat
ed it with the Bible. Couldn't he
have gotten something else?" she
asked judiciously.s
NO." said the Watermelon. "He
had nothing more to SELL"
What did he SELF"
Ellis birthright-for a mess Of pot
tage."
why'd he do that?"
HE was stony broke, he wanted
something to eat, sec, and he sold his
all for mess of pottage. Now, if he
found he didn't like his pottage, coul6
| he have given it back and gotten his
birthright again?"
Eyes. indeed" chirped Billy. u
don't see why not. But why didn't he
get something better than a mess Of
pottage?" g. .
Don't ask me, kid. But, guess
you're right. No one can keep your
birthright unless you're willing they
should"
Il usually know more about the
Bible" stammered Billy, fearful of the
impression her ignorance must have
made. II know about Moses and
Ruth"
The Watermelon nodded. "You see,
l was raised on the Bible.s he said
kindly. -
A step was heard on the floor above
and she started hastily. Il guess /
had better be going" she whispered.
Good night, jerry.
Good night, Billy"
She slipped away and the Water.
melon WAS again alone.
She's right. If you don't like
your pottage, you can get your birth.
right back. l can leave a note," he
thought and laughed bitterly. Haven't
thing, name, clothes, honor. Sneak
away like whipped cur. Gosh, I'll
be hanged il can't do something re.
spectacle, will. tell them in the
morning and they can do and say
what they please. II you've sold your
birthright to the Old Man, you have
to go after it in person to get it back.
Why the deuce did fall in love with
Billy? l had fun IN the beginning
but now!" -,.t y. - 80.
When the Watermelon awol1e next
morning he lay for, time,. stretching
and yawning in the comfortable bed
and the pea-green silk pajamas he had
found in the suitcase in Bachelors
car. He glanced at the general slum.
bering beside him, his mouth open and
his round7fat face as pink as the pink
cotton BAHAMAS he wore.
|. Here's me in silk and him in cot.
ton," thought the Watermelon. "He
couldn't tell a lie to, save his soul, and
L Stick to your pink cotton, gen.
eral." he whispered and slipped qui.
city out of bed. He crossed the room
to the bureau where he had left the
watch the night before to see the
time. The watch was not there and
he turned to look in his trousers
pockets, thinking he might have left
IT in them. But his pockets were
| SAuQIys save luz lew OlQ Keys, MS
knife and "the markings" Money,
watch. cigarette case, all were gone.
He turned to the bureau. Cuff links
and stick pin were also gone Ginger.
~ he felt in the generals pockets.
They, too, were empty. He stood q
moment in the middle of the room in
his pea-green silk pajamas and gently
stroked his back hair, then he chuckled
softly and glanced at the bed.
| The general was awake, looking at
him with half-shut. sleepy eyes.
Robbed, General" said the Water.
melon.
Robbed" repeated the general, sit.
ting up.
Everything gone." said the Water.
melon, "or I'll eat my hat"
The general rose and they made a
systematic search through empty peck.
cts and rifled bureau.
Bartlett came in gloomily. Without
= cent among them they could not
i mt