Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1915-07-14

AAS = 0ONsS Sse0
tning. So. you see, l get my pay in
the sneerss that pass behind my back
yes. sometimes In these later days. be-
fore my eyes. But I had an under
standing with myself when l took you
INTO my home years ago. in face of h
IN the south. I did not intend you to
come as charity wards, so to speak. /
did not love you sufficiently we'll to
bestow charity upon you. To be frank,
! resented you both bitterly. But, I am
a fair man. Your southern relatives
We're proud. They would not have had
you become objects OF charity. / told
them that a Blagden was never an OBJ
5ect Of charity. A Blagden would pay
for his own out Of his own. You are
Blagdens, both of you. Today you a
look me in the lace and say that you
do not owe me a dollar. You are indie
pendent, Eric. l have seen to it that
who remained in my house all these
years because o could not help your
self say I've seen to it that you are
under no pecuniary obligation to me.
You have paid me, out OF your inherit
lance. for everything you have re-
ceived, n so has Mary"
n Horace, L."
Just a moment, please. 1 am not SO
penurious as you think. My will has
been made, Eric, these many years. In
it there is a special clause re-
storing to you penny of
the money I used in the payment OF
these-er, ahem!-fixed charges, you
because during the last year I altered
my will in n other and somewhat vi
tai particular. I will not go into that,
however,"
His lean grey face hardened as he
uttered the last sentence; a far away
look came into his eyes.
But I can't think OF taking back
began Eric all at sea over the strange
turn Of affairs.
said Horace Biagden, kindly. "Sit
down here with me on this bench. It's
cool here, and of late the sun appears
to be affecting me oddly. Eric, your
aunt and I are proud of you. In spite
of ourselves we nave always liked you
and Mary. II we were harsh with you,
1t was because we were envious-even
jealous. 1t isn't so hard to say that,
either. And, believe me, there was a
time when we honestly feared for your
future. That is why" here a thin
smile broke on his lips-"we set Mr..
give us that. And yet, don't misunder-
stand me. I believe he did you more
good than you will admit. Well, you
are 81. You are going to be a credit to
all OF us-living and dead. Your mid
die name Is Blagden, don't forget that.
I say we are proud of you. My boy,
It is more than that with me. I am
fond of you. I will not a that your
aunt is not quite as much Scr,
ahem!-as I am. I want you to know
that l love you for your fairness, your
gentleness, your honesty. You are a
good boy, Eric. I would to God you
were my son."
Eric was d%umbfounded. An older
n keener judge Of human nature
would not have been deceived into be-
lieving that a generous impulse moved
Horace to that unhappy lament. It was
an exposition of the quintessence OF
s%elfishness. He was thinking only Of a
personal gain that had been denied him
in natures distribution. But Eric did
not know this. He "a touched by the
unhappy cry from the great mans soul.
A sudden desire came over him to lift
the dreadful suspense that was hang
ing over his uncle's head.
Uncle Horace, l want to tell you
something that will make 1t easier for
you acknowledgement. It has been a.
M. Blagden turned on him coldly.
raising his voice, but with a look in his
eyes that served better than q shout of
command. "You are not to mention,
his name. sir. I have told you SO be-
fore. There is nothing you a say
that will make-But there! am for
getting myself. We will resume our
talkSconcerning your investments. They
are safe and sound, and I sincerely hope
you will condescend to manage them
as carefully as I have done, as your
guardian. and as your grandfather did
before me. Do not put your fortune
into the hands Of the Jews. It Is safe
enough in Corinth. BY the Jews 1 mean
tho tonARi10 NJ NoC, VoWAz NNAov, o,,1lS
up gold az the plants suck in the dew.
I hate a Jew. Have you noticed there
are 40 Jews in Corinth? 2"
"A Jew couldn't live in Corlnth,
uncle" said Eric, who hated the town.
He'd starve to DEATH"
smile showed itself family at the cor
ners OF his mouth.
II fancy he would" said he. "It is q
far cry from Corinth to New York"
Why shouldn't I leave my affairs In
your hands. uncle, just as they havt
been?" Eric observed after a moments
reflection. I'D only ask for a certain
| on, you see. 10 1t asking too much of
| you, sir?"
Horace laid his hand on the young
mans knee. Il think they would be
safer in my hands than In yours. my
boy. At least. for a few years. I will
| the condition that you agree in writing
to-er-ahem!-to allow me absolute
control over them"
"For a certain length of time. sir,
said Eric steadily. II believe ] car
manage for myself when I am a little
older"
.Quite right. Wen say I'VE years
You will be married by that time, ]
dare say"
Eric biushed. He had been with Joar
| Bright that very morning.
who knows?' he unused evasively.
And 20 It was agreed between them