The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1916-07-13
CHAPTER vilI-contInusd.


He seated himself in q chair at his
sons side and, leaning over. tapped
Bibbs confdentially on the knee.
"This city's got the greatest future in
America, and II my sons behave right
by me and by themselves they're goin'
to have a mighty fair share of it--a
mighty fair share. love this town. I
love It like 1 do my own business, and
I'd fight for II as quick as I'd fight for
my own family. It's a 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 growsw
He had become intensely grave; he
spoke with solemnity. "Now, Bibbs,
can't take any Of it-nor any gold or
silver nor buildings nor bonds-away
with me In my shroud when 1 have to
go. But want to leave my share in
1t to my boys. I've worked for 1t; I've
been builder and a maker; and two
blades of grass have grown where one
grew before, whenever laid my hand
on the ground and willed 'em to grow.
I've built big, and I want the buildin'
to go on. And when my last hour
comes l 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.
"Therep' he said, huskily. "I've never
spoken more what was in my heart In
my life. l do It because want you
to urfderstand-and not think me a
mean father. never had to talk that
way to Jim and Roscoe. They under
stood without any talk. Bibbs."
~ see," said Bibbs. "At least
think do. But"
"Wait q minutep' Sheridan raised
his hand. "If you see the least bit In
the world, then you understand what
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, let's get right down to 1t, Bibbs.
I've had whole lot o. talk with ole
Doc Quincy about you, one time and
another, and / reckon l understand
your case just about as well 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 Gurney down to 1t. says,
Look here, amt 1t really because he
Just plain hated itT Yes he says,
that's It, II he'd enjoyed it, 1t wouldn't
"a hurt him. And that's about the
way 1t is"
"Yes," said Bibbs, "thats about the
way 1t is"
"well, then, I reckon it's up to me
not only to make you do it, but to
make you like itp'
Bibbs shivered. And he turned upon
his father look that was almost
ghostly. II can't" he said, In a low
voice. ~ can't"
Cant go back to the shop"
mo. Can't like 1t. l 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 IA
ther should, only to be met in the end
with the unreasoning and mysterious
stubbornness which had been Bibbs
battling characteristic from childhood
by George, you will" he cried
"Yon'n go back there and you'll like 1t
Gurney says 1t won't hurt you II you
like it, and he says it II kill you If yor
go back and hate 1t; so it looks as II Il
was about up to you not to hate 1t
WE'LL Gurney's a fooll Hatin' worl
doesn't kill anybody; and this ism
goin' to kill you. whether you hate 1t ol
not. I've never made mistake in I
serious matter in my life. and it WASH
mistake my sendip' you there in thu
first place. And I'm goin' to prove 1
I'm goin' to send you back there ant
yindioats my Judgment Gurney say