Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1916-07-20
CHAPTER XVI.

nothing less than insufferable for his
father, was about to make his escape
into the gold-and- brocade room when
he heard Sheridan vociferously de-
handing his presence.
"Tell him to come in here! He's out
there. l heard George just let him in.
Now you'll seev' And tear-stained
Mrs. Sheridan, looking out into the
hall. beckoned to her son.
Bibbs went as far as the doorway.
Quincy sat winding strip of white
cotton, his black bag open upon a
chair near by; and Sheridan was strid-
ing up and down, his hand so heavily
wrapped In fresh bandages that he
seemed to be wearing a small boxing
glove. His eyes were bloodshot; his
forehead was heavily believed; one
side Of his collar had broken loose,
and there were blood stains upon his
right cuff.
There's our little sunshinew he
cried, as Bibbs appeared. There's the
hope o. the family-my lifelong pride
and joy! | want"
keep your hand in that sling" said
Quincy. sharply
Sheridan turned upon him, uttering
a sound like howl. For Gods sake,
sing another tuner he cried. "You
said you came as a doctor but stay
as a friend and In that capacity you
undertake to sit up and criticize me-
"Oh, talk sense" said the doctor,
and yawned intentionally. what do
you want Bibbs to sayT"
"You were sittin' up there tellin me
got Observation-Disclosures oh Lord!
You sat up there and told me got
'hysterlcaP over nothin'! You sat up
there tellin' me didn't have as heavy
burdens as many another man you
knew. just want you to hear this.
Now listen" He swung toward the
quiet figure waiting in the doorway.
"Blbbs' will you come down town with
me Monday morning and let me start
you with two vice-presidencles, d.
rectorship, stock and salaries? l ask
you"
"No, father,r said Bibbs, gently.
Sheridan looked at Quincy and then
faced his son once more.
"And I'd like the doctor to hear:
What II you do IL decide you're too
high-priced a workin- man either to
live in my house or work in my shop?''
Find other work." said Bibbs.
There! You hear him for yourself!"
Sheridan cried. you hear what"
Keep your hand in that sling! Yes,
I hear him."
Sheridan leaned over Quincy and
shouted. in a voice that cracked and
broke, piping into falsetto: HE thinks
Of bein' plumber HE wants to be a
plumber so he can thinkv'
He fell back step, wlping his fore
head with the back Of his left hand.
There! That's my son! That's the
only son got now! That's my chance
to i've" he cried. with bitterness
that seemed to leave ashes In his
throat. That's my one chance to
live-that thing you see in the door
way yonderl'
Doctor Quincy thoughtfully regard
Gu the Uduudge strip NC nau Dccu
winding. and tossed it Into the open
bag. whats the matter with giving
Blbbs a chance to liver he said, cool
ly. II would II were you. You've
had two that went into business"
Sheridan's mouth moved grotesquely
before he could speak. "Joe Quincy"
he said, when he could command him.
self so far, "are you accusin' me of
the responsibility for the death Of my
son JamesY'
II accuse you of nothing" said the
doctor. But just once I'd like to have
it out with you on the question Of
Bibbs--and while he's here, too" He
got up, walked to the fire, and stood
warming his hands behind his back
and smiling. "Look here, old fellow,
let's be reasonable" he said. "You
were bound Bibbs should go to the
shop again, and he did go, and he's
made good there. Now, see: Isn't
that enough? Can't You let him of
now? He wants to write, and how dc
you know that be couldn't do 1t IL you