The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1917-04-27
"A prokef--FansmitA."

TIE CIOnu pun ihAAh4Co 0@0s I" -
soaked with It Don't you know who
owned it?"
Yes, l do"
Amt sayin', thought That TT
What's the matterY
at belonged to Mr. vertrees." said
Bibbs. shortly. applying himself to his
desk
"Sow Sheridan gazed down at his
sons thin face. Excuse me-" he said.
Your business" And he went back
to his own room. But presently he
looked in again.
Il reckon you won't mind lunchin'
alone today"-he was shutting himself
into his overcoat-"because l just
thought I'd go up to the house and
get this over with mamma" He
glanced apologetir toward his
right hand as 1t emerged from the
sleeve Of the overcoat The bandages
had been removed, finally, that morn
ing, revealing but three fngers-the
forefinger and the next to 1t had been
amputated. shes bound to make an
awful fuss. and 1t better spoil her
lunch than her dinner. I'll be back
about two"
But be calculated the time of his ar
rival at the new house so accurately
that Mrs. Sheridan's lunch was not dis
turbed, and she was rising from the
lonely table when he came into the
dining room. He had left his overcoat
in the hall, but he kept his hands in
his trousers pockets.
whats the matter, papaT' she
asked, quickly. Has anything gone
wrong? You amt sick?"
'Mew He laughed loudly. me
sick?'
You had lunch|
Didn't want any today. You can
give me a cup o coffee, though
She rang. and told George to have
coffee made. and when he had with
drawn she said querulously. II just
know there's something wrong"
"Nothin' In the world" he respond
ed. heartily, taking a seat at the head
of the table. Il thought I'd talk over
a notion O. mine with you. that's ALL
It's more women-folks' business than
what 1t is mans anyhow"
what aboutT'
why, ole Doc Quincy was up at the
office this morning awhile"
ITO look at your hand? How's he
say it's dom"
Fine! Well, he went in and sat
around with Bibbs awhile"
Mrs. Sheridan nodded pessimistically.
II guess it's time you had him. too. 1
knew Bibbs-"
Now, mamma, hold your horses! I
wanted him to look Bibbs over before
anything's the matter. You don't sup
pose I'm goin' to take any chances
with Bibbs. do your Well, afterwards,
l shut the door, and l an ole Quincy
had talk. He's a mighty disagreeable
man; he rubbed 1t In on me what he
said about Bibbs havin' brains II he
ever woke up. Then thought he must
want to get something out O. me, he
got SO fiattering-for a minute! 'Bibbs
couldn't help havin' business brains,
he says, 'bein' your son. Don't be sur
prised,' he says-'don't be surprised at
his maxim a success he says. He
couldn't get over his heredity; he
couldn't help bein' a business success
once you got him into it. It's in his
blood. Yes, SIR he says, 1t doesn't
need much BRAINS he says, AN only
third-rate brains, at that he says, but
1t does need a special kind O. brains
he says, to be a millionaire. l mean
he says. when a mans given a start.
II nobody gives him a start, why,
course he's got to have luck and the
right kind O. brains. The only mir
rcle about Bibbs,' he says, Is where he
got the other kind O. brains-the. brains
you made him quit usin' and throw
away"
But what d he say about his
b ,alth?" Mrs. Sheridan demanded. i'm
patiently. as George placed a cup of
,ffee before her husband Sheridan
Helped himself to cream and sugar.
ind began to sip the coffee.
I'm comm to that" he returned.
lacidly. "See how easy l manage this
cup with my left hand. mamma?"
you been dom that all winter
What did"
"It's wonderful" he interrupted, ad-
miringly. what fellow can do with
his left hand. l can sign my name
with mine now, wells l ever could
with my right. 1t came a little hard
Mt first, but now, honest, l believe
rather sign with my left. That's all
l ever have to write, anyway-just
the signature. Rests all dictatin'."
He blew across the top OF the cup
unctuously. Good coffee, mamma!
Well, about Bibbs. Ole Quincy says
he believes II Bibbs could somehow
get back to the state O. mind he was
in about the machine shop-that is. If
he could some way get to feelin' about
business the way he felt about the
shop-not the poetry and writin' part,
but" He paused. supplementing his
remarks with a motion of his head
toward the old house next door GIe