Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1916-07-13

been wrong, first ard lastl Instead o.
hurtin' you. It's been the maxim of
you--physicaly. It's started you out
to be the huskiest one o the whole
family. Now. then. mentally-that's
different. ! don't say II unkindly,
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 bis chair close to his sons,
and. leaning over. tapped Bibbs' knee
confidentially. 81 got plans for you,
Bibbs," he said.
Bibbs instantly looked thoroughly
alarmed. He drew back. lin all
right now. father"
Listen" Sheridan settled himself
In his chair. and spoke In the tone of
reasonable man reasoning. Listen
here. Bibbs. had another blow to-
day, and II was hard one and right
In the face. though have been ex-
pectin' 1t some little time back. Well.
it's got to be met. Now I'll be frank
with you. As | said a minute ago.
mentally I couldn't ever called you
exactly strong. You got will power,
I'll say that for you. never knew
boy or man that could be stubborner-
never one in my life! Now. then.
you've showed you could ,earn 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. | don't deny but what it's an
encouragin' sign. I don't deny that. at
all. Now. then. I'm goin' to give you
raise. wanted to send you straight
On up through the shops-a 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 thought he
was. I can't count on him. got to
have somebody | know | can count
On. And I'm down to this: you're my
last chance. Bibbs. got to learn you
to use what brains you got and see
IL we can't develop 'em little. Who
knows? And I'm goin' to put my time
In on II. I'm goin' to take you right
downtown with me, and won't be
hard on you II you're 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 that'll make you
d;zzyw He tapped his son on the
knee again. ''Bibbs. I'm goin' to start
you Off this way: I'm goin' to make
you director In the Pump Works
company; I'm goin' to make you vice
president of the Realty company and
vice-president Of the Trust COM
panyw
Bibbs jumped to bis feet. blanched.
"Oh. nor 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 -presidenoies,
and pinch o. stock In the Pump COM
pany with the dictatorship. You
thought | 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 pretty big one,
my boyv
"But ! DON'T DON'T don't want
it," Bibbs stammered.
Sheridan looked perplexed. whats
the matter with you? Didn't you un-
derstand what l was tellin' your
II know, know! But can't take
It."
whats the matter with you?" Sher-
idan was half amazed, half suspicious.
'Your head feel funnyr
"Pve never been quite so sane in my
life," said Bibbs, "as | have lately.
And I've got just what want I'm
living exactly the right life. I'm 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"
"Damnation" Sheridan sprang up.
you've turned Socialist! You been
listening to those fellows down there.
and YOU"
"No, sir. think there's great deal
In what they say. but that isn't It."
Sheridan tried to restrain his grow
ing fury, and succeeded partially.
Then what is 1t? What's the mat
teri"
Nothing" his son returned, nerv-
ously. "Nothing-except that I'm con-
tent. don't want to change any
thing"
"Why not?"
Bibbs had the Incredible folly to try
to explain. "I'll tell you, father, II I
can. know 1t may be hard to under
stand"
"Yes, think 1t may be-" said Sheri-
dan. grimly. "what you say usually
is little that way. Go onv'
Do you think the old man
! Nxfll haad nilho - xx,ill na r,nS .