Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1916-09-28

HeetlH uayS are QeaO ana done with.
Church amt what 1t used to be. Moth
ms what it used to be-everyt
turned up from the bottom, and the
growth is so big the roots stick out In
the air. There's an awful ruction gein'
on, and you got to keep hoppin' IL
you're goin' TO keep your balance on
the top Of it. And the schemersl They
run like bugs on the bottom of a board
after any piece O. money they hear Is
loose. Fool schemes and crooked
schemes; the fool ones are the most
and the worst! You got TO fight to
keep your money after you've made
1t. And the woods are full O. mighty
industrious men that's only got one
motto: Get the other fellows money
before he gets yours" And when a
mans built as | have, when he's
built good and strong, and made
good things grow and prosper-those
are the fellows that lay for a
chance to slide in and sneak the ben
eft of it AMI put their names to IT,
And what's the use my havin' ever
been born, If such a thing as that Is
goin' to happen? What's the use my
havin' worked my life and soul into
my business, II It's all goin' to be dis
persed and scattered soon as I'm in
the ground?"
He strobe up and down the long
room, gesticulating-little regarding
the troubled and drowsy figure by the
fireside His throat rumbled thunder
ously; the words came with stormy
bitterness "You think this is time
for young men to be lynn on beds Of
ease? I tell you there never was such
a time before; there never was such
opportunity. The sluggard is de-
spoiled while he sleeps-yes, by George!
II man lays down they'll eat him be-
fore he wakes!-but the live man can
build straight up till he touches the
sky! This is the business mans day;
it used to be the soldiers day and the
statesman's day, but this Is ours! And
1t amt a Sunday to go fishin'-ft's tur-
moil! turmOil!-and you got TO go out
and live 1t and breathe 1t and make
1t yourself, or you'll only be a dead
man Walkin' around dreamin' you're
alive. And that's what my son Bibbs
has been doin' all his life, and what
he'd rather do now than go out and do
his part by me. And II anything hap
pens to Roscoe"
"Oh, do stop worryin' over such non
sense" Mrs. Sheridan interrupted, irri
tated into sharp wakefulness for the
moment "There amt anything goin'
to happen to Roscoe. and you're just
tormentin' yourself about nothin'.
Aren't you ever goin' to bed?"
Sheridan halted. "All right, NAM
ma" he said, with vast sigh. Lets
go up" And he snapped off the cleo
trio light, leaving only the rosy glow
of the fire.
did you speak to Roscoe? she
yawned, rising lopsidedly In her drow-
siness. Did you mention about what
told you the other EVENING""
"No. I will tomorrow"
But Roscoe did not come downtown
the next day, nor the next; nor did
Sheridan see fit to enter his sons
house. He waited. Then, on the
fourth day of the month, Roscoe
walked into his fathers office at nine
in the morning, when Sheridan hap
pened to be alone.
'They told me downstairs you'd left
word you wanted to see me-"
'Sit down." said Sheridan, rising.
Roscoe sat. His father walked close
to him, shifted suspiciously, and then
walked away, smiling bitterly. Bob"
he exclaimed. "Still at itr'
Yes" said Roscoe 1--WE had q
couple of drinks this morning. What
about it?"
81 reckon better adopt some decent
young man." his father returned. I'D
bring Bibbs up here and put him In
your place If he was fit I wouldw
Better do it," Roscoe assented, sui
lenly.
"When'd you begin this thing?"
Il always did drink a little Ever
since l grew up, that is"
Leave that talk out! You know
what | mean"
w ell, l uOnI know as L ever nau
too much in Office hours-until the
other day"
Sheridan began cutting. cts a lie
I've had Ray Wills up from your Of
flee. He didn't want to give you away,
but | put the hooks into him, and he
came through. You were drunk twice
before and couldn't work You been
leavin' your Office for drinks every few
hours for the last three weeks. l been
over your books. Your Office is way
behind. You haven't done any work
to count, in a month"
Roscoe's head was sunk between
his shoulders. Il can't stand very
much talk about it, father" he said,
pleadingly.
Mop Sheridan cried. Neither. can
|! What do you think 1t means to
me?' He dropped into the chair at
his big desk, grooming. az can't stand
to talk about 1t any more'n you can
to listen, but I'm goin' to and out
what's the matter with you, and I'm
goin' to straighten you outr'
Roscoe shook his head helplessIy.
you can't straighten me out"
''See here" said Sheridan Can you
go back to your office and stay sober
today, while | get my work done, or
will l have to hire couple O. huskies
to follow you around and knock the