Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1917-10-10
lin 0r1erRrrys sun On MS twenty.

don't believe in it, and l intend to
see that he gets all this stuff out of his
system. He's got to learn some hard
sensew
Mrs. Baxter shook her head doubt.
fully, but she said no more. Perhaps
she regretted little that she had
caused Mr.. Bakers evening clothes to
be so expansively enlarged for she
looked rather regretful. She also look
ed rather incomprehensible, not to say
cryptic, during the long silence which
followed, and Mr.. Baxter resumed his
rocking, unaware of the fixity of gaze
which his wife maintained upon him,
4 thing the most loyal will do some
times.
The incomprehensible look disap-
peared before long, but the regretful
one was renewed in the mothers eyes
whenever she caught glimEses Of her
son that day and at the table, where
Williams manner was gentle, even to-
ward his heartless father.
Underneath that gentleness the har-
ried self Of William was no longer de-
batting a desperate resolve, but had
liked upon it, and on the following aft
srnoon Jane CHANGED to be witness
If some resultant actions. She came
10 her mother with an account of them
Mamma, what you s'pose Willie
wants Of those two ole market baskets
hat were down cellar?
why, Jane?"
well, he carried 'em in his room,
IN then he saw me lookin', an he
said, 'G'way from here!' an shut the
loor. He looks so funny! What's he
want Of those ole baskets, mammal"
II don't know. Perhaps he doesn't
.ven know himself, Jane"
But William did know definitely. He
had set the baskets upon chairs, and
low with pale determination. he was
proceeding to fill them. When his task
vas completed the two baskets con.
! aimed:
! One heavyweight winter suit of
clothes, one lightweight summer suit
If clothes, one cap, one straw hat. two
pairs of white fannel trousers, two
madras shirts, two flannel shirts, two
| silk shirts, seven soft collars, three silk
leckties, one crocheted tie, eight pairs
If socks, one pair of patent leather
shoes, one pair of tennis shoes, one
Dvercoat, some underwear.
One two foot shelf of books, consist
ng of several sterling works upon
mathematics, in a damaged condition;
! i've of Shakespeare's plays, eXpurgat-
I'd for schools and colleges and also
damaged; work upon political ecen
omy and another upon the science OF
physics; Webstcrs Collegiate Diction
airy; "How to Enter a Drawing Room
and Five Hundred Other Hints" wit
ty Sayings From Here and There
Lorna Doone:" Quentin Durward;'
1.-THE Adventures of Sherlock Holmes,
very old copy Of Moths" and q
small Bible.
William spread handkerchiefs upon
the two overbulging cargoes, that theil
nature might not be disclosed to the
curious. and. after listening moment
! at his door. took the baskets, one upon
each arm. then went quickly down the
atairs and ont Of the house, out OF the
yard and into the alley.
After an absence Of about two hours
he returned empty handed and anx
| ious. Mother want to speak tC
YOU" he said. addressing Mrs. Baxter
in a voice which clearly proved the
strain of these racking days. please
send Jane away. I can't talk about
important things with child in the
ROOM"
Jane naturally wished to stay, since
he was going to say something impor
tant. Mamma, do I hat to go?"
Just a few minutes, dear"
Jane walked submissively out Of the
door. leaving it open behind her. Then
having gone about six feet farther, she
halted and, preserving GREATNESS 81
lence, consoled herself for her Danish
ment by listening to what was said
hearing it all as satisfactorily as II
she had remained in the room.
Mother" said William, with great
intensity. 81 want to ask you please to
lend me $500"
what for?"
Mother, / don't feel can discuss II
any. l simply ask you, Will you lend
me $3.6O?"
Mrs. Baxter laughed gently. 81 don't
think l could, Willie, but certainly
should want to know what for"
Mother, | am going on eighteen
years of age, and when ask for 8
small sum of money like $3.50 think
| might be trusted to know how tc
use it for my own good without having
to answer questions like CHI
"Why, Willie" she exclaimed, "you
ought to have plenty Of money Of your
own! You ought to have plenty left
out of that old junk and furniture
let you sell last month. You had
over $9!'
That was five weeks ago." William
explained YEARLY.
But you certainly must have some
of it left. Why. it was more than 50
believe. think 1t was nearer ten
Surely you haven't
"Ye gods" cried the goaded William
"a person going on eighteen years old
ought tosbe able TO spend SO in five
| weeks without eyerybody's acting like
it was a crime! Mother, l ask YOU the
simple question. viii you please lend