Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1917-08-30

Wen come again tomorrow and look
for it, the mother promised. Then
they went away.
"And then"
Il got the money" spoke Ben in a
low, subdued tone, struggling his shout
ders as If to cast off unpleasant
thoughts. ''There was seventy-two
cents in the little bank. 1 took fifty
cents, the price of the medicine"
"Some day" began BARLEY in a
tone of emotion.
eyes," nodded Ben, "some day you
and l must make up the cents in dol
lars, if we're real men," Then he
walked away.
Imagination Or reality, the medicine
cured John Barley, but not in two
days, nor in six. It was a full week
before he could get well about. Then
he made urgent inquiries of Ben as to
the location Of the downtown house
and the woman and the girl.
1t was nearly noon when he, located
the wrecked hut. Near to it under a
set of tarpaulins was a lots of new
building material. Bending over bed
Of flowers was little girl. "The one
that Ben robbed' muttered BARLEY
hOarsely.
Heaven bless her forevermore!"
and the tears stood in his eyes. Then
he approached the child. She looked
up with fearless, friendly eyes. She
picked lovely rose and rendered it to
him.
I'm sort of keeping the flowers all
right till we get the new house up,"
she said. I'm afraid it will be long
time, though" she added.
"How is that?" inquired BARLEY.
"Why, under those covers yonder is
a patent bungalow mamma bought. Oh,
we were to have such a fine house!
It's all paid for, but the bank mamma
had the rest of her money in to pay
for the building of the house has
failed. SO mamma has to put me with
Aunt Nellie, who is poor, and mamma
is out nursing. But maybe some day
we can earn enough to put up the
house."
"Boys," spoke John BARLEY to his
fellow tramps that night, "among us
are some workers, surely. I was once
an architect. Will you help me build
the house [ have told you about?"
Millville witnessed a marvel that
week. Nine earnest, Industrious tramps
with alacrity and vigor followed the
directions of Architect BARLEY. Lit
tie Floribel Moore was on hand most
Of the time, half comprehending the
unique situation.
Mrs. Moore was engaged in nursing
twenty miles away. She stood spell
bound as she viewed the bungalow
which unexpected hands had construct
ed. The trampS had disappeared, but
two days later little Floribel ran up to
BARLEY in the street and ran towards
him, pulling her mother after her.
Mamma, this is the man who
showed the others what to do and
told me such pretty Stories"
"You see, we heard of your misfor-
tune" lamely explained BARLEY, "and
thought we'd surprise you," and evad-
ed the point direct, but it was sure to
come out some time.
Bartley's fellow migrators went on
to pastures new. BARLEY himself re-
manned in Millville. A village contrac-
tor had employed him gladly when he
learned Of his former experience as an
architect Within a month few would
have recognized the well-dressed, buSi-
nesslike new-time "Mr." BARLEY as the
old-time fellow companion of uncouth
knights Of the road
Mrs. Moore, installed in her pretty
new home, was glad to welcome him as
an occasional visitor. Little Floribel
doated upon him. One evening as
mother and child were in the room
where BARLEY was their guest, the lit
tie one CHANGED to take her savings
bank from the mantel to inspect it's
contents
ooh, mamma, look!" cried Floribel
suddenly "who put in all of the bright
new pennies?"
The bright new pennies were gold
pieces At last John Barley had been
able to keep his vow. For each penny
taken by Busy Ben he had substituted
a gold dollar. He flushed with en-
barrassment. The searching eye of the
widow scanned him and then, as Flori-
bel was busted over the counting of
her treasure, she asked softly:
"What does this mean"
For the first time the widow knew all
of the truth. Into her beautiful eyes
came pity, sympathy and love, for
those two, "just plain folks" had been
coming closer and closer to one an
other during the weeks of their grow
ing friendship, and fate destined that
their lonely lives should be united.