The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1917-03-30


amt you ashamed Of maxim such
fuss about it? Amt your
II didn't go at it in the right spirit
the other time" Bibbs said, smiling
brightly, his face rudy In the cheerful
freight II didn't know the difference
1t meant to like thing"
Well guess I've pretty thoroughly
indicated my judgment. I guess
have, l said the shopd be good for
you. and 1t was. l said it wouldn't
hurt you, and it hasn't. It's been just
exactly what said 1t would be. Amt
that so?"
Looks like it!' Bibbs agreed, gayly.
well, I'd like to know any place
been wrong. first and last. Instead O.
hurtin' you. it's been the maxim Of
you-physically. It's started you out
to be the huskiest one O. the whole
family. Now. then, mentally-thats
different. don't say 1t 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 his chair close to his sons,
and, leaning over, tapped Bibbs' knee
confidentially. II got plans for you.
Bibbs." he said.
| Bibbs instantly looked thoroughly
| alarmed. He drew back. Tin all
right now. father"
Listen" Sheridan settled himself
in his chair, and spoke In the tone of
reasonable man reasoning. Listen
here, Bibbs. l had another blow to-
day. and it was hard one and right
in the face. though l have been ex'
pectin' it some little time back. Well
| it's got to be met. Now I'll be franz
with you. AS l said a minute ago,
mentally l couldn't ever called yoC
exactly strong. You got will power,
I'll say that for you. l never knew
boy or man that could be stubborner-
never one in my life. Now, then.
you've showed you could learn 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. l don't deny but what it's an
encouragin' sign. l don't deny that at
all. Now, then, I'm goin' to give you
a raise. l wanted to send you straight
on up through the shops-a year or
two, maybe-but l can't do it. l lost
Jim, and now I've lost Roscoe. He's
quit. He's laid down on me. If he
ever comes back at all, he'll be long
time pickin' up the strings, and, any
way, he amt the man l thought he
was. l can't count on him. l got to
have somebody l know l 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
| knows? And I'm goin' to put my time
In on 1t. I'm goin' to take you right
downtown with me. and l won't be
hard on you If you're a 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
dizzy" He tapped his son on the
knee again. "Bibbs. I'm goin' to start
you of this way: I'm goin' to make
you a 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 his feet, blanched.
"Oh, no." 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 viee-presidencies,
and pinch O. stock In the Pump com.
pany with the dictatorship. You
thought l was pretty mean about the
shop-oh, l 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 l deal you.
I'm startin' you with a pretty big one
| my boy!
But I DON'T DON'T don't want
it!' Bibbs stammered.
Sheridan looked perplexed whats
the matter with you? Didn't you I'm.
derstand what I was tellin' you"
II know. l know! But 1 can't take
it."
whats the matter with your" Sher-
| idan was half amazed, half suspicious.
Your head feel funny?"
eve never been quite SO sane in my
| ife," said Bibbs, las I have lately
And I've got just what I want I'm
| living exactly the right life. I'm earn.
ing my daily bread, and I'm happy in
| doing 1t. My wages are enough.
| don't want any more money, and I
| don't deserve any"
"Damnationw Sheridan sprang up.
you've turned Socialist! You been
| listening to those fellows down there.
| and you"
mo. sir. think there's a great deal