The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-07-12

got nothing 10 pay you with.
But it isn't necessary to pay q
penny, uncle" Lucy would say, half
crying. People will think We make
you work for us"
Il guess not" answered Old Mark.
Il tell 'em that I'm doing 1t against
your wishes. But it's all coming to
you"
That sounded well enough, but no.
body had seen any of Marks money.
The postmistress stated that the old
man had bought money orders re-
Gently. But to whom was he sending
his money! To a bank?
"Pshaw, Lucy, let the old fellow
have his way" said Frank. III 1t
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 l amt going to do q stitch Of
work after I'm eighty-five," said Mark.
chuckling.
Indeed, Marks industry afforded
the farmer and his wife less time for
meditation than formerly. Tho sea-
son had been poor, the crops had not
ripened-it 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; We'll take Old
Mark" they said.
Old Mark, learning Of his relatives
difficulties, did not appear greatly con-
cerned. Its life!" he said. That's
all. 1t happened to me. I guess
can 60 to the poorhouse."
"You certainly will not 60 to the
poorhouse SO long as can work.
said Frank.
At last the farm was advertised for
sale. Nobody was surprised. but sew
eral people we're pleased. The Adams
family we're very pleased.
And he thought he could feed an
extra useless mouth" sneered Philip
1T serves that woman right" said
his wife, "for trying to reproach M
with not 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. III It goes for
song, I'll take it."
The day of the sale arrived. Franz
and Lucy, very subdued, but bravely
meeting the inquisitive gaze Of thu
neighbors, sat by the auctioneer
What bids for this property
snapped the auctioneer. Fifty acre'
of first-class farming land"
"Ho! Ho!" roared voice from
among the audience. 1t was Philil
Adams, who chuckled and nudged hi
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" pleade'
/, the auctiuneer "One-third cash ant
| the remainder on mortgage. What Of
! fers?"
Five hundred dollars" said a bald
, headed city clerk, who was trying t
get back to the land.
. six hundred" said Adams.
/ They ran the price up to twelv
! hundred dollars, at which the cit
clerk subsidized. Frank watched tn
scene In humiliation. Lucy. impassivt
regarded the sneering face of PhiliI
as he wrestlcd with another bidder q
fourteen hundred.
, eat fourteen hundred" said the aut
tioneer, noddirg t. Philip. Going
going"
Fifteen" snapped Old Mark, stant
ing up as spryly as young man.
En-" grunted the auctioneel
Where's your money!"
Old Mark advanced to the auction
GERS desk and slapped down an enol
nous wallet choking with bills. TIL
auctioneer peered inside. He saw se'
eral hundreds.
HE can't bid-he's too old" shou
cd Philip wrathfully.
There amt no age limit" said th
auctioreer Amy higher offer?"
81 tell You he's faker. and I stan
by what l bid, and take the farm,
shouted Philip in a rage.
AT fifteen. Going-gone! It
yours" said the auctioneer to Mari
"One-third cash and"
"I'n pay the whole fifteen hundred
answered Old Mark, counting out tn
money.
It was DONE Mark owned the farm
and Lucy and Frank found themselve
one on each side of him in the opel
Round them gathered curious crow
including Jane and Philip Adams. tn
situation was preposterous-incred
BILE.
Hush! Old Mark was speaking.
you see. my dears. you were kir
to an old man." he said. "Ye
thought l hadn't no money. but thel
was my life insurance. which toe
out fifty years ago last Wednesda
Four thousand dollars 1t were, Al
cost me something over Q hundred
! VAR had thn proypiuma mt