The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1916-09-07
CHAPTER xxIv.-contlnued.

Perturbed and distressed, Bibbs rose
instinctively; he felt himself at every
possible disadvantage. He was a
sleeper clinging to a dream-a rough
hand stretched to shake him and wax
en- him. He went to a table ard made
vague drawings upon 1t with finger,
and as he spoke he kept his eyes low
cred. "You weren't altogether right
about the shop-that Is, In one way
you weren't, father" He glanced up
spprehensively. Sheridan stood facing
him, expresslonless, and made no at
tempt to interrupt. That's difficult to
explain" Bibbs continued, lowering
his eyes again, to follow the tracings
of his finger. I'll believe the shop
might have done for me this time II
hadn't-if something hadn't helped
me to-oh, not only to bear It. but to
be happy in II. Well, I am happy in
II. l want to go on Just as I am. And
Of all things on earth that don't want,
don't want to live a business life
don't want to be drawn into It.
don't think II Is living-and now l am
living. have the healthful toil-and
can think. In business as important
Rs yours couldn't think anything but
business. I DON'T don't think max
ing money In worth while"
go on" said Sheridan. curtly. as
Bibbs paused timidly.
"It hasn't seemed to get anywhere,
that can see," said Bibbs. "You think
this city is rich and powerful-but
what's the use Of Its being rich and
powerful? They don't teach the chill
iren any more In the schools because
the city is rich and powerful. They
teach them more than they used to be-
.ause some people-not rich and pow
erful people - have thought the
thoughts to teach the children. And
yet when you've been reading the pa
per I've heard you obJecting to the
children being taught anything except
what would help them to make money.
You said II was wasting the, taxes.
You want them taught to make a liv-
Ing, but not to live. When I was a
little boy this wasn't an ugly town;
now It's hideous. What's the use of
ceing big just to be hideousl mean
don't think all this has meant really
going ahead-it's just been getting
bigger and dlrtler and noisier. Wasn't
the whole country happier and In many
ways wiser when II was smaller and
cleaner and quleter and klnder7
know you think I'm an utter fool. IA
ther, but, after all. though, aren't busi
ness and politics just the housekeeping
part OF life? And wouldn't you despis'
woman that not only made hei
housekeeping her ambition, but did I
so noisily and dirtily that the whole
neighborhood was In a continual tur
moil over 1t? And suppose she talke'
and thought about her Housekeeping
all the time. and was always hav.s.
additions built to her house When sh
couldn't keep clean what sne alread,
had; and suppose, with 1t all, she mad
the house altogether unpeaceful an,
unlivable-"
"Just one minuter' Sheridan intei
''1f you win permit me? Have 20
ever been right about anything"
81 dont quite"
~ ask the simple question: Hav
you ever been right about anythin
whatever In the course of your life
Have you ever been right upon an
subject or question you've though
absut or talked aboutf Can you mel
ton one single time when you wei
proved to be rightr
He was nourishing the bandage
hand as he spoke. but Bibbs said onl'
eff I've always bssa wrong befor
surely thsrs's more chsnce that II
stxht about thia. 10 seems isasonab