The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1916-08-19
Looks IKE itr- BIbbs agreed. gayay.

been wrong. first and lastl Instead o
hurtin' You, it's been the maxim OF
you-physically It's started you out
to be the huskiest one o. the whole
family. Now, then. mentaIly-that's
different. don't say Ii nnkindIy.
Bibbs, but you got to do something
for yourself mentally. just like what's
been done physically. And I'm gOin'
to help you"
Sheridan decided to sit down again.
He brought his chair close to his sons,
and. leaning over, tapped Bibbs' knee
conddentiaIly. II got plans for you.
Bibbs," he said.
Bibbs instantly looked thoroughly
alarmed. He drew back lin ell
right now. father"
Listen Sheridan settled himself
in his chair. and spoke in the tone OF
q reasonable man reasoning. Listen
here. Bibbs. had another blow to
day, and it was a hard one and right
in the face. though / have been ex-
pectin' it some little time back. Well,
it's got to be met Now III be frank
with you. AS I said a minute ago.
mentally I couldn't ever called you
exactly strong. You got will power.
I'll say that for you. 1 never knew
boy or man that could be stubborner-
never one in my IifeI Now, then,
you've showed you could learn to run
that machine best Of any man IN the
shop. in no time at all. That looks
to me like you could learn TO do other
things. l don't deny but what it's an
encouragin' sign. / don't deny that. at
all. Now. then. I'm goin' TO give you
raise. I wanted to send you straight
on up through the Shops year or
two, maybe-but / can't do It / lost
jim, and now I've lost Roscoe. He's
quit. He's laid down on me- II he
ever comes back at all. he'll be long
time pickin' up the strings, and. any
way, he amt the man l thought he
was. / can't count on him l got to
have somebody l know l can count
on And I'm down to this: you're my
last chance. Bibbs. l got to learn you
TO use what brains you got and see
| If we can't develop 'em a little Who
| knows? And I'm goin' TO put my time
in on 1t. I'm goin' to take you right
downtown with me. and l won't be
hard on you If you're a little slow at
| first And I'm goin' to do the big thing
| for you. I'm goin' to make you feel
/ you got to do the big thing for me.
| in return I'm goin' to make an appeal
/ TO your ambition thatn make you
dizzyr' He tapped his son on the
| knee again. ''Bibbs. I'm goin' TO start
you of this way: I'm goin' to make
you a director in the Pump Works
company; I'm goin' to make you vice
| president OF the Realty company and
a vlce-president OF the Trust COM
/ panyP'
| Bibbs jumped to his feet. bIanched-
| ''Oh, no." he cried.
| Sheridan took his dismay TO be the
excitement of sudden joy Yes. sir!
/ And there's some pretty fat little sal
aries goes with those viee-presideneies.
and a pinch o. stock in the Pump com
pany with the dictatorship. You
thought l was pretty mean about the
shop-oh, know you did!-but you
see the old man can play both ways
And so right now. the minute you've
begun to make good the way / wanted
you to, deal from the new deck And
I'll keep on handin' it out bigger and
bigger every time you show me you're
big enough to play the hand deal you
I'm startin' you with a pretty big one.
my boyF'
but I DON'T DON'T don't want
itT' Bibbs stammered-
Sheridan looked perplexed. whats
the matter with you? Didn't you IN
derstand what l was tellin' your
81 know, I know! But 1 can't take
it"
What's the matter with your" Sher-
idan was half amazed, half suspicious.
your head feel funny7"
I've never been quite so sane in my
life" said Bibbs, las I have lately.
And I've got Just what ] want. I'm
living exactly the right life Pm earn
ing my daily bread. and I'm happy in
doing It My wages are enough
don't want any more money. and !
don't deserve any"
'DamnationP' Sheridan sprang up.
You've turned Socialist You been
listening to those fellows down there
and you"
mo. sir. 1 think there's great deal
In what they say. but that isn't IL -
Sheridan tried to restrain his grow
ing fury, and succeeded partially,
Then what is 1t? What's the mat
ter?"
Nothing" his son returned. nerv-
ously. Nothing-except that I'm con
tent. l don't want to change any
thing"
why nOt?"
Bibbs had the incredible folly to IN
to explain %I'II tell you, father. II
can. l know It may be hard TO under
7 stand"
Yes. think It may be-" said Sheri
dan. grimIy. what you say usually
is a little that way. Go onF'
Do you think the old man
will heed 6ibbs, or will he put
/ ! the young man cut OF his life