Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1914-05-08
SLOWING UP,,,FOR FATHER.
"That new heifer's foundered-"

Not Dolly?" asked young Fritz
Pickett, as he started up from his
chair.
Yep the hired man replied. SOME
body left an open sack Of bran in the
corn crib and forgot to shut the crib
door. Guess she's a goner."
The hired mar had further details to
impart, but he was pushed through the
door by an excited youth and hustled
out Of the house and down to the cat
tie barn of the well-improved and
profitable Pickett farm. AS Fritz hur-
ried out his father, old Jim Pickett,
turned back to stirring his coffee.
There you are, mother" he remark
ed. THAT proves my point. The boys
getting like all this young generation.
He's getting careless and wants to live
too fast. He was in a hurry to get
over to Palmer's last night to see that
Smith girl and left that door open. Re-
suit, a 500 heifer dying. No, sir. A
motor car would be the ruination Of
that boy and I'm not going to let MIN
have one. Let's don't talk"
"Jim," began Mrs. Pickett, "you
know we've got a boy to be proud Of
and you ought TO be ashamed to throw
that heifers laundering up to him or
to begrudge him"
Now, Annie, don't begin" Old Jim
rubbed his red and smoothly shs.ven
chin vigorously. "Taint no begrudiging
about it. You and the boy can have
anything I've got. That's what I've
worked for. You've done as much as 1
have to make this place a success, and
the boys done his part since he got
out Of Manhattan two years ago. I'd
get him a car in a minute If money
was the only consideration. But it
amt. It'd ruin him. He'd be running
round all hours of night with that rat
tie brain Smith girl from Rock Crick
township and no tellin' who they'd kill
besides themselves. When Fritz gets
older and slows up he can have a run
about. Now he can take our old 1911
model-she's a good car yet, too-out
any nice day he wants to. That's all
there is to it."
How is Fritz fast?" asked Mrs.
Pickett coldly.
Every way" replied Old Jim, ''or
rather he's getting that way. I amt
saying he didn't learn a lot at college
that's meant dollars to this place, but
he learned a lot of foolishness, too. He
broke that old gang plow. He let that
roam filly run away the day he went
to town to buy roses for that Smith
girl. He bought a humidor to keep
cigars in, so he can act big when any
Of those young fellows come round. 1
found him in a pool parlor the last
time we were in town together playin'
pool. Had his own private cue in a
rack with a brass lock on 1t, too. /
hadn't told you about 1t. Didn't want
to worry you. Drivin home that night
1 was lecturin' him and we got blow
out and he got so tarnation mad at
few words of restraint from his old dad
he ripped out to cussin' when ne had
to take that tire off and almost ruined
it. No, sir Fritz has got to slow up
before he gets a motor car. I amt 60
ing to take no chances ruinin' him"
Jim, you rode twenty-five miles
once in our courtin' days to get me a
plush album for a Christmas present.
You caught cold fording Little Sugar
Creek that day, almost lost one Of the
two horses your father had and almost
had pneumonia yourself. Fritz is just
like you. He's just frisky like a colt.
You can trust him never to go far
wrong. You're sitting here easy now
because you know Fritz can do more
for that heifer than you could. You
know he can be depended on AS much
as a man twice his age"
Now, Annie" Old Jim's tones rose.
Times is different"
well, if Fritz slows up will you get
a carr"
"Td feel more hopeful of keepin' him
at his present gait"
But If he slows up, as you say,
Jim?"
Now, Annie" in irritated protest.
Jim"
well, he won't so long as he won't
quit that dare devil Pittman boy or
those reckless Morrisons. Why can't
he chum with Wallace Thompson, Mac
Murphy or Stauffer, or those boys that
take an interest in Endeavor meet
ings?"
But, if he slows up, Jim-you said?"
Hang it, I will-but you're going to
that way, because he won't"
That night, after the new heifer was
out of danger there was conference
between mother and very tired son. A
few minutes later the blackness Of
rainy night yielded up Old Jim, home
for late supper. He had been to town
that afternoon just to visit and gossip
with old Doc Folsom and Lawyer
Jackson.
Il expect you'd better give me a lit
tie drop O. bitters, mother" he said
huskily as he removed his coat.
mo, Jim," said Mrs. Pickett firmly,
those bitters are most alcohol and we
oughtn't to set bad example for
Fritz"
Old Jim glanced at her suspiciously,
but made no reply. His frown cleared
after supper and he searched for his
tobacco box Then the frown returned.
I'll declare" he said, II clear for
got that tobacco. Son, reckon I'll have
to borrow one Of your high toned ci-
gars out Of that patent box"
Sorry, father. but traded off the
humidor and cigars to the rural route
carrier three hours ago for book, the
Wit and Wisdom Of Spurgeon.' He's
to bring it tomorrow. Spurgeon was a
great English preacher you know;
would you like to read it?"
mo. Take it over and read 1t to
that Smith girl" Old Jim's reply was
violently sarcastic.
Mrs. Pickett snickered.
Besides, father, I've decided a farm
er can't gain maximum efficiency from
himself and his farm if he smokes.
Nicotine reacts on the heart, and on a