Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1914-03-06


who would have thought Of that; he
was the only boy in Jonesville who
owned pair Of patent-leather shoes.
AS they passed his uncle's residence
the old man, who was his guardian,
caught glimpse Of him through an
opening in the neglected shrubbery on
the great lawn, and sent a serving
man to bid him enter.
Jackson made a wry face for the
benefit Of the girls, as he said good-by
to them, promising to appear for sup
per at the Spotswoods'. He carefully
obeyed the summons, but 1t irked him.
His uncle always irked him. He be-
lieved, and there were others who be-
lieved, that his uncle tried to irk him.
They never had got on very well to-
gether; the old man was hard, con-
sentative to the point of stubbornness
and opposed every young idea, particu-
larly to every young idea which
CHANGED to have originated In his
nephew's brain.
well, Jackson" said his uncle sour
ly.
well, Uncle Abner."
Ready to settle down In Jonesville,
are your"
Now, uncle" said the youth protest
ingly.
"Your father settled down here, l
settled down here. and you'll have to
settle down here" said the grim, I'M
lovable old man. "You have obliga.
tons here. The Jones Gum factory
aas built this town, and Is responsible
for it. You will have charge of the
factory before long"
Jackson writhed. He didn't wish to
have charge Of the factory.
tits not good business, uncle" he
had once told the man who now sat
staring at him modify. They'll think
1t was the gum that made him bald.
Poor grandfather was too bareheaded
to be a good advertisement for any
thing, eXcept-an Indian"
why an indiana" his uncle inquired
without suspicion.
"As an after-taking 'ad' Of the best
scalper In the tribe"
This irreverence had abruptly end
ed that days interview.
But this evening Abner Jones was
busy with more serious thoughts.
when are you going to work." he
crabbedly demanded.
II don't see"
Jackson. every Jones for two gen.
erations has learned the gum business
before he was as old as you; but you,
toolishly INDUCED by your father-I
have never seen such madness as the
way he brought you up-have come to
manhood knowing nothing of 1t. Don't
you ever wish to settle DOWN."
mot yet" said Jackson, boldly. I'm
too young"
you're twenty-one."
I'm twenty-one; but I've lived most
of the time In Jonesyille. That makes
me Just fifteen so far as actual age
goes-and yet the time seems longer
than it u.s." said the irreverent Jack
son.
I'm almost discouraged. I'm free to
tell you, Jackson, that, II your fathers
will had left me any opportunity for
doing so. | should see to 1t that, when
pass to my reward, you would have
no share of the great business which
you hold in such contempt"
PASS on to your-er-yes, sir" Jack
son murmured
II have had tales brought to me of
some things you have said about Jones
ville," said the old man bitterly. you
have compared 1t most unfavorably
with that modern Babylon. New York"
"Well--er-uncle, you know New
York is-well, more metropolitan"
"Jonesville is metropolitan enough
Jonesville is pleasant little town
built by the industry and brains of the
members Of your family, sir-in both
of which you seem to be most singular
ly lacking; and, while it has fewer
people than New York, 1t has more yir-
tues You will be the only Jones re-
| naming after I have gone. / am far
| from well. /"
Instantly the young man was con-
| trite. He had no wish to hurt his
| uncle's feelings.
I'm sorry, sir. If you are feeling ILL.,"
he said, respectfully, "but, you see
you've always lived in Jonesville-a
great drain on mans vitality.
didn't mean to say a word to bother
YOU"
| But the old man was not to be paci-
| fed; his face continued stern. "It Is
| less your words than what seems to be
your disposition which annoys me-" he
burst forth. "Is there nothing serious
in you?"
Il guess I'm pretty young to settle
| down. Perhaps that's what's the mat
ter"
II had settled down and had COM
plete charge Of the bookkeeping depart
ment of this great enterprise before
was eighteen. You might begin to
| take life seriously"
"You can't take 1t any other way in
| Jonesville."
Il feel that l should tell you vari-
Gus details Of the business, for my