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

snihg 70 earn my keep, seeing as
Niece Jane has got nv farm and I,ve
soe hotning to pay you with
SUI II isn't necessary to paw a
penny uncle" Lucy would saw. half
crying People will think we make
you work for u.s."
l guess not" answered Old Marx
I tell 'em that I'm doing II against
your wishes. But it's all coming TO
| you"
| mat sounded well enough, but no
pooy had seen any of Marks money.
Inc postmistress stated that the old
man had bought money orders re-
Gently But to when was he sending
his money? To bank?
| Pshaw, Lucy. let the old fellow
nave his way" said Frank. 'If II
makes him happy, and he feels less
under an obligation to US, 1t doesn't
90 him any harm"
But I'm eighty-fve next month.
and / amt going to do a stitch OF
work after I'm eighty-five," said Mark,
chuckiing.
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-it was the wet summer Of
a lew 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.
cerneG. It's life!" he said. That's
all. 1t happened to me. 1 guess /
can 60 to the poorhouse'
You certainly will not go to the
poorhouse SO long as can wcrk,"
said Frank.
AT last the farm was advertised for
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.
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
tranple 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 a
song, Ill take it,
The day OF the sale arrived Frank
and Lucy, very subdued. but bravely
meeting tbs inquisitive gaze of the
neighb5rs, sat by the auctioneer
What bids fer this property"
snapped the auctioneer. Fifty acres
of first-class farming land"
"Ho! Ho!" reared voice from
|
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 dollarsi" 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 subsided. Frank watched the
| scene il 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"
"Fifteen," snapped Ola 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 bi6-he's tee old!' shout
ed Philip wrathfully,
There amt no age limit said the
auctio1eer. ANY higher offer?"
Il tell you he's a faker, and / stand
by what / bid, and l take the farm"
shouted Philip in a rage
AT fifteen. Gcing-gone! It's
yours said the auctioneor to Mark.
"Ore-third cash and"
"Tn LAY the whole fifteen hundred"
answered Old Mark, counting out the