The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1916-06-24
CHAPTER vIII-continued.

CHAPTER VIII-Continued.
He seated himself in a chair at his
sons side and, leaning over, tapped
Bibbs cOnfidentially on the knee.
This city's got the greatest future in
America. and if my SONS behave right
by me and by themselves they're gOin'
to have almighty fair share of it-a
mighty fair share. | love this town.
love it like | do my own business. and
I'd fight for it as quick as I'd fight for
my own family. It's beautiful town.
Look at our wholesale district; look at
any district you want to; look at the
park system we're putin through. and
the boulevards and the public statuary.
And she grows. God! how she grows"
He had become intensely grave; he
spoke with solemnity. Now, Bibbs. l
can't take any of it-nor any gold or
silver nor buildings nor bonds-away
with me in my shroud when l have to
go. But l want to leave my share in
1t to my boys. I've worked for it; I've
been builder and maker; and two
blades of grass have grown where one
grew before, whenever Laid my hand
on the ground and wilIed 'em to grow.
I've built big, and / want the buildin'
TO go on. And wien my last hour
comes want to know that my boys
are ready to take charge. Bibbs, when
I'm up above l want to know that the
big share I've made mine, here below.
is CROWN bigger and bigger in the
charge of my boys"
He leaned back, deeply moved.
''There. he said. huskiiy. I've never
spoken more what was in my heart in
my Iife do it because l want you
to understand-and not think me q
mean father. l never had to talk that
way to Jim and Roscoe. They under
stood without any talk. Bihbs"
81 see" said Bibbs AT least /
think, do. But"
wait Il minuteI" Sheridan raised
his hand. IF you see the least bit in
the world then you understand what
it meant to start one o my boys and
have him come back on me the way
you did, and have to be sent to a sani-
tarium because he couldn't stand work
Now, lets get right down to it, Bibbs.
I've had Il whole lot o. talk with ole
Doc Quincy about you, one time and
another. and / reckon l understand
your case just about as we'll as he
does. anyway.
Now. why did work make you sick
instead Of brace you up and make a
man of you the way 1t ought of done ?
pinned ole Quincy down to it, says.
Look here, amt it really because he
just plain hated it, Yes he says,
that's it. If he'd enjoyed it. 1t wouldn' t
"a hurt him And that's about the
way it is
Yes said Bibbs. that's about the
way it is
We'll. then. l reckon it's up to me
not only to make you do it. but to
make you like itr'
Bibbs shivered. And he turned upon
his father look that was almost
ghostly. Il can't" he said. in a low
voice. Il can't"
Cant go back to the shop?"
NO. Can't like ii. / can't
Sheridan jumped up. his patience
gone. To his own view. he had rea-
sOned exhaustively. had explained
fully and had pleaded more than a ia
Their should. only to be met in the end
with the unreasOning and mysterious
stuhbornResS which had been BibbS'
battling characteristic from childhood
by George, you willr' be cried
You'll go back there and you'll like it,
Quincy says it won't hurt you If you
like it. aud he says it IL kill you if YOU
go back and hate it; so it looks as If il
was about up to you not to hate IT
Well, Gurney's a fool! Hatin' work
doesn't Kill anybody; and this ISM
Eoin' to kill you. whether you hate 1t OF
not. I've never made a mistake in 8
serious matter in my life. and it wasn't
a mistake my sendin' you there in the
first place. And I'm goin' to prove Il
Pm goin' to send you back there anG
vindicate my judgment Quincy say:
it's all mental attitude Well, YOURS
goin' to learn the right one! He say.
In a couple OF more months this foo
thing that's been the matter with you'll
be disappeared completely and you'l
be back in as good or better condition
than you were before you ever wen
into the shop. And right then is whei
you begin overnight In that sam,
shop! Nobody can call me hard maj
or mean father. l 40 the best I cal
for my children and [ take the full
responsibility for bringin' my sons u
to be men. Nov. so far, I've faile,
with you- But I'm not goin' to keel
on failln'. / never tackled Job yet