Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1917-01-11

"heavffl knows I've wished TX iunG
enough. said their mother. "But
what's the use az wIshing7 II / had
the nerve I'd put poison In his coffee,
but haven't-so there"
jasper Balsam turned white with
rage He had always been kind ia
Their to his children, he had thought
his wife loved him. And now his aaugh-
ter wanted to marry Jim, farmland,
shiftless sort Of fellow who seemed
the last person on earth for any de-
cent girl. He had never suspected
thati And bis wife wanted to poison
him. and all three longed fer his
DEATH He jumped out Of his chair.
Il heard your he beloved. "Now
know your hearts, thanks to my new
plan. You want me dead and out Of
the way, so that you can handle the
old mans money, do your Isuppose
you'd like to get married again too.
Mehitabei7
Il would" answered his wife
promptly. I'D like to marry a man
without scrubby black whiskers, who
didn't chew tobacco"
"And / wish--I wish / were rid Of
ye ALL" snorted the farmer, turning
away.
He went back into the parlor, filling
II with a cloud Of smoke as he puffed
morosely at his pipe. That had always
been his privilege; unlike many wom-
en-, Mehitnbel had never raised objec-
lions TO his smoking anywhere in the
house.. She had been a good wife to
him, and he had never guessed the
feelings which she had harbored In
her heart. His children, too-what
vipers he nad been nourishingl He
had offered TO send the boy to college,
but Junius had declined. And octavin
had been promised a new plano and
music lessons only the day before.
He stalked angrlly upstairs at length
and shut himself up In the spare room.
His mind was filled with turbulent
and vindictive thoughts. II they did
not want him around he would go
away, but he would no longer support
them.
Suddenly he heard low voices In
the hall outside his room. Al first he
could not distinguish what they were
saying, but then he heard his own soD
speaking.
"Of course father means we'll. ~ he
wouldn't take up with those crank
Ideas" he was saying.
II think you were too mean for any
thing, Juny." protested octayia. SAY
ing that you wanted TO get rid OF him
so as 20 have the farm Instead OF be-
ing hustled TO death on dogs
wagesl'
"And what about you. calling him
uu old brute and wishing him TO drop
on so that you could marry Jim
GriggsTT demanded Junlus
You knew ] didn't mean that r.
cried the girl. ''When | marry I'm
going TO try 10 snd man ns good M
father. was just pretending Ia or
der 70 teach him lesson. hut ygu--
you let the thoughts out Of your
heart T.
mo didn't either, Tabby, because
he told me only lately that I could 10
to college amy time wanted 20. And
u was ms who stnrted the game. say-
Ing she wanted to get married once
more, and talking about pas whisk.
ers."
MY dears, was trying 10 teach him
lesson" answered their mother.
'I'll tell you a secret. II was your IA
TIERS whiskeTs that made me fall In
love with him. Therer'
But Jasper Balsam was outside his
door, smiling q little sheepishly. and
lingering his whiskers as hs spoke.
II gusss yon fooled the old man all
night" he said. ''I3ut the system aint
a bad one. Only forgot 10 say. we
must only speak whom we're thinking
Of pleasant things"