Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1916-09-14
CHAPTER <.


with a man Of affairs from foreign
parts, who had Travelled far for a bust
| ness conference with Sheridan and his
colleagues. Herr Favre, in spite of
his French name, was a gentleman Of
Bavaria. It was his first visit to our
country, and Sheridan took pleasure
in showing him the sights Of the coun-
try's finest city.
They arrived at the Pump Works.
and for an hour Herr Favre was per-
sonaIIy conducted and personally in.
structed by the founder and president,
the buzzing queen bee of those buzzing
hives.
''Now I'll take you for a spin in the
country" said Sheridan, when at last
they came out to the car again. Wen
take a breezer." But, with his foot
on the step he paused to hail a neat
young man who came out Of the office
smiling a greeting. Hello, young fell
lowH' Sheridan said, heartily. con the
job, are you. Jimmie? Ha! They don't
catch you off Of it very often. [ guess,
though [ do hear you go automobile
ridin' in the country sometimes with a
mighty fine-IOOkin' girl settin'up beside
your He rOared with laughter, cIapping
his son upon the shoulder. That's all
right with me-if it is with her! So
Jimmie? Well, when we goin' to move
into your new warehouses? Monday?"
sunday if you want to-" said jim
NO" cried his father, delighted
"Dont tell me you're goin' to keep
your word about dates! That's nc
way to do cOntractin'! Never heard
of a contractor yet didn't want more
time"
They'll be all ready for you on the
minute" said Jim. I'm going over
both Of EN- now, with Links and Sher-
man, from foundation to roof. I guess
they'll pass inspection, toor'
well, then, when you get through
with that" said his father, you go
and take your girl out ridin'. BY
George! you've earned it, You tell her
you stand high with mer' He stepped
into the car, waving Il waggish fare
well, and, when the wheels were in
motion again, he turned upon his com
paniOn a broad face literally shining
with pride. ''That's my boy Jimmie!''
he said.
Fine young man, yes,'' said Herr
Favre.
4 got two O. the finest boys" said
Sheridan, 81 got two o. the finest boys
God ever made, and that's a fact, Mr.
Farver! Jim's the oldest, and I tell
you they got to get up the day before
if they expect to catch him in bed!
My other boy, Roscoe, he's always to
the good, too, but Jim's wizard. You
saw them two new-prOcess warehouses,
just about finished? Well, Jim built
'em. III tell you about that, Mr.. Far
ve1." And he recited this history, de-
scribing the new process at length; in
fact, he had such pride in Jim's
achievement that he told Herr Favre
all about it more than once
Fine young man, yes" repeated the
good Muenchener, three-quarters of
an hour later. They were many miles
cut in the open country by this time
HE is thatn' said Sheridan, adding,
as if confdentially: ~ got a fine fam
lily, Mr. Farver-fne children. I got
a daughter now; you take her and
put her anywhere you please, and
she'll shine up with any of 'em.
There's culture and refinement and So
ciety in this town by the carload, and
here lately she's been gettin' right in
the thick of it-her and my daughter
tn-laW, both l got Il mighty fine
daughter-in-law, Mr. Farver. I'm goin'
to get you up for meal with Us be-
fore you leave town. and you'll see
and, we'll, sir, from all hear the two
of 'em been holdiI' their own with the
best. Myself, I and the wife, never
had time for much O. that kind O.
dOin's, but it's all right and good for
the children; and my daughter she's
always kind of taken to it. I'll read |
you poem she wrote when I get you
up at the house. She wrote it in school !
and took the first prize for poetry with
1t. l tell you they don't make 'em any
smarter n that girl, Mr.. Farver. Yes, |
sir; take us all round, we're a pretty
happy family; yes, sir Roscoe hasn't |
got any children yet. and 1 haven't !
ever spoke to him and his wife about |
tits kind of a delicate matter-but |
it's about time the wife and I saw
some grandchildren CROWN up around |
US. / certainly do banker for about |
four or five little curly-headed rascaIs |
to take on my knee. Boys, hope, o. |
course; that's only natural. Jim's got !
his eye on a mighty splendid-Iookin' !
girl; lives right next door to US. I ex- /
pect you heard me joshin' him about |
it back yOnder. She's one the ole |
blue-bloOds here, and [ guess it was a |
mighty good stOCk-tO raise her! She's |
one these girls that stand right up and |
look at you! And pretty! She's the |
prettiest thing you ever saw. Good !
size, too; good health and good sense. |
Jim'u be just right if he gets her |
l must say it tickIes me to think O. the |
way that boy took ahold o. that job !
back yonder. -Four months and a half! |
Yes. sir
He expanded this theme once more;
and thus he continued to entertain the !
stranger throughout the long drive |
Darkness had fallen before they /
reached the city on their return. and ,