The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1915-07-09

tning to earn my keep seetnp .s
e'e Jane mas got my farm and I've
got nothing to pay you with
but isn't necessary to paw a
penny, uncle" Lucy would saw. half
crying People will think we make
you work for u.s."
1 guess not" answered Old Mark
tell EN- that I'm doing 1t against
your wishes. But it's all coming 70
you"
mat sounded well enough, but no
pooy had seen any of Marks money.
me postmistress stated that the old
man had bought money orders re-
Gently. But to whom was he sending
his money? To bank?
Pshaw, Lucy. let the old fellow
nave his way" said Frank. IF it
makes him happy, and he feels less
under an obligation to us, 1t doesn't
do him any HARM"
But I'm eighty-five next month,
and amt going to do a stitch of
work after I'm eighty-five," said Mark,
cbuckiing.
indeed, Marks industry afforded
the farmer and his wife less time for
meditation than formerly. The sea-
son had been poor, the crops had not
ripened-lt was the wet summer of
a Few years ago; finally. the price of
corn had gone shooting down. The
| struggle Of the 'ne'er-do-well'' Frank
Smith had long excited the derision
OF his relatives He seemed an in
capable farmer, and they knew moth
ing OF the crushing mortgage and of
the difficulty with which each interest
day was met.
AT last Frank and Lucy had to face
| the prospect Of selling out and NOV
ing to the city. Wen take Old
Mark. they said
OLD Mark, learning of his relatives
difficulties, did not appear greatly con-
cerned. IT'S life!" he said. That's
all. 1t happened to me. 1 guess /
can g to the poorhouse"
you certainly will not 60 to the
poorhouse so long as / can w.rk,"
said Frank.
AT last the farm was advertised for
sale. Nobody was surprised, but sew
eral people we're pleased. The Adams
family were very pleased
And he thought he could feed an
extra useless mouth" sneered Philip.
1T serves that woman right" said
his wife, fer trying to reproach US
with net looking after Mark. Why
don't you buy the farm, Philip? It'll
trample them into the dust. And I'd
like to know what they'll do with Old
Mark then"
I'm going to bid for it," answered
Philip shrewdly. IF it goes for
song. I'll take it."
The day OF the sale arrived. Frank
and Lucy, very subdued, but bravely
meeting the inquisitive gaze of the
neighbJrs, sat by the auctioneer.
What bids fer this property"
snapped the auctioneer. Fifty acres
of first-ciass farming land
"Ho! Ho!" reared voice from
among the audience. 1t was Philip
Adams. who chuckled and nudged his
wife. That's good, amt it?" he said.
"A house and barn in fair condition.
an orchard with fruit trees in bearing,
chicken houses and two hundred hens.
What bids?''
Ten dollars," shouted Adams exu-
berantly.
BE sensible, gentlemen" pleaded
| the auctioneer "One-third cash and
the remainder on mortgage. What Of
fers?"
Five hundred dollars" said bald
headed city clerk, who was trying to
| get back to the land.
Six hundred" said Adams.
They ran the price up to twelve
hundred dollars, at which the city
| clerk subsidized. Frank watched the
scene in humiliation. Lucy, in.passive,
regarded the sneering face Of Philip,
as he wrestled with another bidder at
fourteen hundred.
at fourteen hundred" said the auc-
tioneer nodding to Philip. Going
going"
"Fifteeni7 snapped OLE Mark, stand
ing up as spryly as young man.
"Eh?" grunted the auctioneer
where's your money!"
Old Mark advanced to the auction
GERS desk and slapped down an enor-
nous wallet choking with bills. The
auctioneer peered inside. He saw sew
eral hundreds.
HE cant bi6-he's tee old!' shout
ed Philip wrathfully.
There amt no age limit, said the
auctio1eer. ANY higher offer?"
II tell you he's faker, and l stand
by what / bid, and take the farm"
shouted Philip in rage.
"At fifteen. Gcing-gone! It's
yours said the auctioneor to Mark.
"Ore-third cash and"
III LAY the whole fifteen hundred"
answered Old Mark, counting out the