The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1916-06-17

sir! They're putin their iife-biood IN
to if. tell you. and that's why we're
gettin' bigger every minute. and why
they're gettin' bigger, and why it's all
goin' to keep on gettin' biggerr
He slapped, the desk reso1ndingl7
with his open palm, and then. observ-
ing that Bfbbs remained in the same
! impassiTe attitude. with his eyes still
fixed upon the ceiling in a eontempla-
ton somewhat plaintive, Sheridan was
] impelled TO groan. "Oh. EordT''-he
! said. This is the way you always
were. l don't believe you understand
darn word been sayin'! You don't
look as if you did. By George! it's dis
eouragingE''
Il don't understand about getting
about getting bigger" said Bibbs,
bringing his gaze down to look at his
father placatively- Il don't see just
/ why"
''What?' Sheridan leaned forward,
resting his hands upon the desk aud
staring across it incredulously at his
son.
| Il don't understand-exactly
1 you want it all bigger forT'
! Great Godr' shouted Sheridan. and
struck the desk a blow with his
| clenched fist a son Of mine asks me
that! You go out and ask the poorest
/ day labOrer you can findI Ask him
that question:
Il did once Bibbs interrupted;
when was in the machine shop. L"
"Wha'd he say"
He said. oh. hellF'' answered
| Bibbs. mildly
Yes. l reckon he wouldr' Sheridan
swung away from the desk Il reckon
he certainly would! And I got plenty
! sympathy with him right now myseIfr'
Its the same answer. then?" Bibbs'
voice was serious. almost tremulous.
''DamnatiOn.'' Sheridan rOared-
Did you ever hear the word pros
perity. you ninny? Did you ever hear
the word ambition? Did you ever hear
the word prOgress?"
He flung himself into a chair after
the outburst. his big chest surging. his
throat tumultuOus with cultural inco-
herences. Now then" he said. husk-
/ lily. when the anguish had somewhat
abated. what do you want to do"
Taken by surprise. Bibbs stammered-
~What-what do-I-what-"
IF I'd let you do exactly what you
had the within for. what would you
dog"
Bibbs looked startled; then timidity
overwhelmed him-a profound shy
ness. He bent his head and fixed his
lowered eyes upon the toe OF his shoe.
which he moved to and fro upon the
rug. like a culprit called to the desk in
school.
What would you do? Loaf?"
NO. sir Bibbs' voice was almost
fnaudible and what little sound it
made was unquestiOnably a guilty
sound. Il suppose Pd-Td try to-tO
write"
Write what?'
Nothing important-just poems and
essays. perhaps"
Il see.'' said his father. brea thing
quickly with the restraint he was put
ting upon himself. THAT is. you want
TO write. but you don't want to write
anything OF any account"
You think"
Sheridan got up again. 'I take my
hat OF to the man that can write q
good adj he said. emphatically. The
best writin' talent in this country Is
right spang in the ad business today.
You buy a magazine for good writin'-
look on the back of it! Let me tell
you I pay money for that kind O.
writin' Maybe you think it's easy.
Just try it, I've tried it, and I can't
do it. tell you an ads got TO be writ
ten so it makes people do the hardest
thing in this world TO get 'em to do: it's
got to make 'em give up their money!
: You talk about poems and essays
tell you when il comes to the actual
skill o. putin words together so as 10
, make things happen. r. 7. BlOss. right
here in this city. knows more in q
minute than George Waldo Emerson
ever knew in his whole iife,''
'You-you may be" Bibbs said.
indistinctly. the last word smothered in
> a cough
'Of course I'm right And If it amt
just like you to want to t8ke up with
the most out-o'-date kind O. writin'
there is! Poems and essays Ny
Lord, Bibbs, that's women's work.
. Why. look at Edith 1 expect that
poem O. hers would set a pretty high
: water mark for you. young man. and
, it's the only one she's ever managed
, | 10 write in her whole life, And Edith's
a smart girl; she's got more energy in
her little finger than you ever give me
a chance TO see in your whole body.
| Psbbs- I'm not sayin' a word against
poetry. l wouldn't take ten thousand
dollars right now for that poem of
Edith's; and poetry's all right enough
=, IN its place-but you leave IL TO the
!. girls a mans got to do mans work
; l II, this world -
/ 6Ea .
f Can't you see the serious ef-
q feet Of such parental tactics in e