The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1915-07-22

chuckling |tiyn4
Indeed, Marks industry afforded
the farmer and his wife less time fol-
meditation than formerly The sea
son had been poor the crops had not
ripened-it was the wet summer OF
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. well take Ole
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. | guess
can go to the poorhouse."
"You certainly will not go to the
poorhouse so long as | can work,
said Frank.
At last the farm was advertised foI
sale Nobody was surprised, but sew
eral people were pleased. The Adams
family were very pleased.
and he thought he could feed an
extra useless mouth, sneered Philip
ct serves that woman right" said
his wife, for trying to reproach us
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. eff 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
neighbors, sat by the auctioneer
What bids for this property
snapped the auctioneer. Fifty acres
of first-class farming land"
"Ho Ho!" roared q 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
| !, i,.J n
the remainder on mortgage. What of
fers?'
Five hundred dollars" said bald
headed city clerk, who was trying te
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, impassive
regarded the sneering face of Philip
as he wrestled with another bidder al
fourteen hundred.
AT fourteen hundred" said the auc
tioneer, nodding to Philip. Going
going"
"Fifteen," 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 can't bid-he's too old" shout
ed Philip wrathfully.
There amt no age limit" said the
auctioneer. ANY higher offer?"
4 tell you he's faker, and stand
by what l bid, and I take the farm,
shouted Philip in rage.
at fifteen. Going-gone! It's
yours said the auctioneer to Mark
"One-third cash and"
I'll pay the whole fifteen hundred,
answered Old Mark, counting out the
money
1t was done Mark owned the farm
and Lucy and Frank found themselves
one on each side of him in the open
Round them gathered curious crowd
including Jane and Philip Adams. The
situation was preposterous-incre
BILE.
Hush! Old Mark was speaking.
you see, my dears, you were kind
to an old man." he said. "You
thought l hadn't no money, but there
was my life insurance, which l took
out fifty years ago last Wednesday
Four thousand dollars it were, and
cost me something over a hundred 9
year. l had the premiums put by
when l sold the farm, but l got a lit
tie short, so | had to work a bit to
make up the last years. But cashed
in Wednesday, and I've still got a
tidy sum over. It's my farm now, and
you and Lucy are going to work il
till l die, and then it goes to you"
He turned toward the stupefied
Adamses.
"But don't play no favorites," he
said You and Jane is welcome to
be my guests whenever you want To-
only, of course, seeing as l gave you
my other farm, this oneIl be Lucys.'
His Jaw a Rib.