The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-07-14

crying. People will think We make
you work for u.s.
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 we'll 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 bank?
"Pshaw, Lucy. let the old fellow
have his way" said Frank. III 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 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. The sea
son had been poor, the crops had not
ripened-it was the wet summer of
q 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 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. l guess
, can &c to the poorhouse.
You certainly will not go to the
poorhouse so long as I 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 were 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 Us
with not looking after Mark Why
don't you buy the farm, Philip. tn
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 1t" answered
Philip shrewdly. II 1t 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 a 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 auctiUneer. "One-third cash and
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 ths
scene in humiliation. Lucy, impressive
regarded the sneering face of Philip
F., as he wrestled with another bidder al
fourteen hundred.
AT fourteen hundred" said the auc
tioneer, nodding T. Philip. Going
going"
Fifteen" snapped Old Mark, stand
ing up as spryly as a young man.
En-" 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. Th'
auctioneer peered inside. He saw sev
eral hundreds.
He can't bid-he's too old" shout
ed Philip wrathfuliy.
There amt No age limit" said thu
aucuoneer. Amy higher otfer?'
az tell Won he's a faker. and I stant
by what l bid, and take the farm.
shouted Philip in a rage.
AT fifteen. Going-gone! IT.
yours said the auctioneer to Marx
"One-third cash and"
I'm pay the whole fifteen hundred,
answered Old Mark, counting out tn
money.
1t was done. Mark owned the farm
and Lucy and Frank found thenselve
one on each side OF him in the open
Round them gathered a curious crowd
including Jane and Philip Adams. Tn
situation was preposterous-incred
BILE.
Hush! Old Mark was speaking.
You see. my dears. you were kin
to an old man" he said. "Yo
thought l hadn't no money, but Their
was my life insurance, which I too
out nfty years ago last Wednesda,
Four thousand dollars II we're. an
cost me something over . hundred
year. I had tho premiums put b
when I aold the farm hut I rot n n