Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1916-10-12
CHAPTER Xxx.

And 30 Bibbs sat IN the porch Of the
temple with the money changers. But
no One came to scourge him forth, for
this was the temple ct Bigness, and
the changing Of money was holy wor-
ship and true religion. The priests
wore that Selfish look Bibbs' mother
had seen beginning to develop about
his mouth and eyes, wary look
which she could net define, but it
comes with service at the temple; and
1t was the more marked upon Bibbs
FOR his sharp awakening to the neces-
sites Of that service.
He did as little useless" thinking as
possible, giving himself ne time for it.
He worked continuously, keeping his
thoughts still On his work when he
came home at night, and he talked of
nothing whatever except his work
But he did not sing at It. He was
often In the streets, and people were
not allowed to sing In the streets.
They might make any manner of hide
Gus uproar-they could shake build
ings; they could outthunder the thun-
der, deafen the deaf, and kill the sick
with noise; or they could walk the
streets or drive through them bawling,
squaWkIng or screechtng, as they chose,
Ii the noise was traceably connected
with business; though street musicians
were not tolerated, being considered a
nuisance and an interference. A man
or woman who went singing for pleas
ure through the streets-uke a crazy
apOlitan-WOuld have been stopped.
and belize locked up; for freedom does
not mean that citizen is allowed to
do every outrageous thing that comes
Into his head. The streets were dan
gerous enough, In al conscience, with
out any singing! and the Motor fedora
ton issued public warnings declaring
that the pedestrians life was In his
own hands, and giving directions how
TO proceed with the least peril. How
ever, Bibbs Sheridan had ne desire
to sing in the streets, or anywhere. He
bad gone to his work with an energy
that for the start, at least was bitter,
and there was no song left in him.
He began to know his active fellow
citizens. Here and there among them
he found a leisurely, kind soul, relic
Of the old period Of neighborliness,
pioneer stock" usually; and there
were men-parhcularly among the
merchants and manufacturers-"S
honest they leaned backward" repu-
tatlons sometimes attested by stories
Of heroic sacrifices to honor; nor were
there lacking some instances of gen
erosity even nObler. Here and there
too, were bookmen, Ia their little lei
sure; and, among the Germans, music
men. And these, with the others, wor-
SHIPPED Bigness and the growth, each
man serving for his own sake and for
what he could get out Of 1t, but all
united Ia their faith In the benefcence
and glory Of their god.
Bibbs looked at him compassionate
~. I'm sorry II you have q senti-
ment about It, father" he said. But
whether you have or not can't make
q difference. Your get other people
hurt If you trust that process, anu that
won't do. And II you want a monu-
ment to Jim, at least you want one
that will stand. Besides, / don't think
you can reasonably defend sentiment
in this particular kind Of affair"
"Oh, you don't?'
mo, but I'm sorry you didn't tell me
you felt it,
Sheridan was puzzled by his sons
tone. why are you 'sorry'?' he asked.
curiously.
Because I had the building inspec-
tor up there, this noon," said Bibbs,
and l had him condemn both those
buildings"
"What?"
He'd been afraid to do 1t before,
until he heard from us-afraid you'd
See he lost his job. But he can't I'M
condemn them-they've got to come
down now"
Sheridan gave him a long and pierre
Ing stare from beneath lowered brows.