The Lamar register., 1914-02-11
KNOWN As "BIDDY' M'REEs
BY MAURICE SMILEY.

mother boy" ~ most of the folks
in the neighborhood called him.
Not that they looked down on him
for being SO devoted to his mother.
That is, those whose opinion really
amounted to anything OF course
some of the Hght-heads made fun OF
a man Of twenty-five still tied to
his mothers apron strings" as they
rang the changes on the old cheap
witticism. Tom didn't care for that.
Perhaps, however. he really did care
after Mile Lee took the district
school. He didn't want her to make
fun of him.
After Toms father had worn HIM
self out on the old place and had
been gathered to his fathers. Toms
two brothers and sisters had married
OFF" one by one. But he stayed on.
wringing by unremitting industry a
scanty living from the rocky soil.
II Tom had ever given any thought
to setting up = home of mis- own. he
had resolutely banished it.
It's a shame. Tom" said his moth
down here on this old place to an old
woman, when you ought to be setting
up a home Of your own"
All right. then" he replied. with a
smile. 'T1l bundle you OF to the poor
house and strike out for the city"
Then he caught his mother up in
his arms and said. tenderly:
Never you mind, mother. I'm not
worrying about It and why need your"
But all the same Tom did \ good
deal Of worrying. For one thing. Mil
lie Lee. while she seemed to like him
more than any Of the other young
men in the neighborhood. was yet .
little too fond. apparently. of Bud
Brighton to preserve Toms entire
peace OF mind.
Then there was the matter of that
black streak down in the pasture.
Tom hardly dared to hope that there
was coal down there. Secretly he
was sinking . rude shaft. though he
told his mother he was only digging .
well to increase the supply Of water
for the stock.
Then came the day when he struck
IT," He could hardly realize all that
II meant when his drill hit the hard.
black substance which proved TO b
an excellent quality Of coal.
When he went home that night two
surprises awaited him. His mother
was seriously III and Mile Lee was
waiting on her.
For reasons Of his own, he did not
say anything about finding coal in
paying quantities. He would stake
his chance with Mile on the merits
Of the case and II she cared for him
at all. she would accept q hard.work-
ing. poor man.
He watched her A. she prepared
the evening meal and q sudden re-
solve took possession Of him.
1T looks awful homelike to see you
around the old place. Millie." he said.
I've got something on my mind that
] have had there for a long time"
She paused In the act OF taking the
biscuits from the oven and possibly
the heat from the stove made her
face flush.
T know I amt good enough for
you" he went on. bluntly. Il haven't
had any education. I've Just been
taking care Of mother ever since ]
was boy and haint had the chance
that lots Of young men have had.
You know what the old place is.
There amt much to be made out of 1t.
It wouldn't support three people very
well. specially when one OF 'em has
been used to better things"
Millie was nervously setting the
table by this time. She nodded as he
paused but neither Of them noticed
the disheveled figure peering in the
doorway. the eyes wild with fever.
81 don't mind telling you. Tom. that
! would marry you II It was not for
your mother. There isn't enough for
US all. You will have to do something
about her."
Perhaps she put the test badly. for
Tom thought she really meant that he
must give up his mother and let her
shift for herself The thought cut
him like a knife and he stared out
into the night too panied to say any
thing for a time.
81 can't do that, Millie." he said
slowly. II can't leave my old mother
not even for you. didn't think you
was that kind. I thought you was diff.
ferent."
Before she could explain Tom had
passed into the bedroom. to give q
cry Of alarm moment later and
rush out into tAe darkness.
h>~