Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1916-05-18

sir. They're putin their lffe-blood IN
to 1t. tell you. and that's why we're
gcttin' bigger every minute. and why
they're gettin' bigger, and why it's =.
goin' to keep on gettin' biggerr
He slapped the desk resoundlEgly
with his open palm. and then. observ-
ing that Bibbs remained in the same
| impressive attitude, with his eyes still
fixed upon the ceiling in contempla.
ton somewhat plaintive, Sheridan was
impelled to groan. "Oh. Lordr' he
said. This is the way you always
were. | don't believe you understand
darn word been sayln'. You don't
look as If you did. BY George! it's dis
courag ingr'
II don't understand about getting
about getting bigger" said Bibbs,
bringing his gaze down to look at his
father placatively. Il don't see Jusi
| why"
WHAT" Sheridan leaned forward,
resting his hands upon the desk and
staring across it incredulously at his
| son.
4
you want 1t all bigger FORE"
Great Cod" shouted Sheridan. and
| struck the desk blow with his
| clenched fist "A son of mine asks me
that! You go out and ask the poorest
day laborer you can find! Ask him
that question:"
IL did once" Bibbs Interrupted:
when was in the machine shop. L"
''Wha'd he say?"
"He said, oh. hellr" answered
Blbbs, mildly.
Yes, | reckon he wouldr' Sheridan
swung away from the desk. II reckon
| he certainly would! And I got plenty
sympathy with him right now, myself"
ITS the same answer, then" Bibbs'
voice was serious. almost tremulous.
"Damnationw 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 them" he said, husk-
lily, when the anguish had somewhat
abated, "what do you want to do?"
Taken by surprise, Bibbs stammered.
"Whatwhat do-I-what-"
"If I'd let you do exactly what you
| had the within for. what would you
do?"
Bibbs looked startled; then timidity
overwhelmed nina 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, Ike a cuiprit called to the desk in
school, :.
'Iwhat would you do? Loaf?"
mo, SIR" Bibbs' voice was almost
inaudible, and what little sound 1t
made was unquestionably a guilty
sound. 81 suppose Fd-Td try toto
write"
Write what?"
Nothing important--just poems and
essays, perhaps"
II see," said his father. breathing
quickly with the restraint he was put
| ing 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. II take my
hat off to the man that can write a
good ad," he said. emphatically. THE
best writin' talent In this country Is
right spang in the ad business today.
You buy magazine for good writin'--
look on the back of 1t! Let me tell
You | pay money for that kind O.
writin'. Maybe you think it's easy.
Just try 1t! I've tried ii, and / 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!
Yon talk about poems and essays
/ tell YOU When 1t comes to the actual