The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1914-01-08

larly to every young idea which
CHANGED to have originated In his
nephew's brain.
Well. Jackson" said his uncle sour
ly.
We'll, Uncle Abner."
Ready to settle down in Jonesville,
are your
Now, uncle" said the youth protest
ingly.
Your father settled down here, |
settled down here, and you'll have to
settle down here" said the grim, I'M
lovable old man. You have obliga-
lions here. The Jones Gum factory
has 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.
It's not good business, uncle" he
had once told the man who now sat
staring at him moodily. They'll think
it was the gum hat made him bald.
Poor grandfather was too bareheaded
TO be a good advertisement for any
thing, except-an Indian"
Why an Indian? ?" 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 his evening Abner Jones was
busy with more serious thoughts.
When are you going to work." he
~crabbedly demanded.
Il don't see"
jackson. every Jones for two gen.
erations has learned the gum business
before he was as old as you; but you,
foolishly INDUCED by your father
have never seen such madness as the
way he brought you up-have come to
manhood knowing nothing of II. Don't
you ever wish to settle DOWN.
Not 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 Jonesville. That makes
me just fifteen SO far as actual age
goes-and yet the time seems longer
than 1t u.s." said the irreverent Jack
SON.
I'm almost discouraged. I'm free 10
tell you, Jackson, that, IL your fathers
viii had left me n 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"
"a on to your-er-yes, sir" Jack
son murmured.
Il have had tales brought to me of
some things you have said about Jones'
VILE" said the old man bitterly. You
lave 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 a 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 1t has fewer
people han New York, II has more vir-
tues You will be the only Jones re-
naming after | have gone. | am far
from well. L"
Instantly the young man was CON
trite. He had no wish to hurt his
uncle's feelings.
I'm sorry. sir, II you are feeling ILL.,"
he said. respectfully, but. you see,
you've always lived in Jonesville-a
great drain on a mans vitality. |
didn't mean to say a word to bother
you
But h old man was not to be paci-
fed; his FAC continued stern. TT is
less your words than what seems to be
your disposition which annoys me-" he
burst forth. rs there nothing serious
in your"
Il guess I'm pretty young to settle
down. Perhaps that's what's the mat.
ter"
Il 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 | should tell you vari-
u details of the business, for my
days here may be numbered"
The youth looked d~eprecatingly
around the dull old library, feeling, in
the earnestness of his revolt, that IL
his W days in Jonesville we're but
numbered it would give him great re-
lief. Even death, he thought
I'm sorry you're not well, SIR
I'VE are but shadows cast upon the
stream of life. Mere shadows, Jack
son."
Jackson gazed al him with careful
eyes; that his mouth was also careful
was entirely proven by the fact that
1t said nothing. A careless mouth
might have remarked that his old
uncle was a pretty solid shadow, for
he weighed close upon two hundred
pounds.
Your father" said this very robust
invalid. had ONE tendencies which I