The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1917-02-09
CHAPTER VIII-continued.

sons side and. leaning over, tapped
Bibbs confldentially on the knee.
'-This city's got the greatest future in
America, and II my sons behave right
by me and by themselves they're goin'
to have a mighty fair share Of ft-a
mighty fair share. love this town.
love 1t like Do my own business, and
I'd fight for 1t as quick as I'd fight for
my own family. It's a beautiful town.
Look at our wholesale district; look at
any district you want to; look at the
park system we're putin through, and
the boulevards and the public statuary.
And she grows. God! how she grows"
He had become intensely grave; he
spoke with solemnity. Now, Bibbs,
can't take any Of it-nor any gold or
silver nor buildings nor bonds-away
with me in my shroud when have to
60. But I want to leave my share in
It to my boys. I've worked for it; I've
been a builder and a maker; and two
blades of grass have grown where ono
grew before, whenever I laid my hand
ON the ground and willed 'em to grow.
I've built big. and want the buildin'
to 60 on. And when my last hour
comes 1 want to know that my boys
are ready to take charge. Bibbs, when
I'm up above want to know that the
big share I've made mine. here below.
Il CROWN bigger and bigger in the
charge Of my boys"
He leaned back, deeply moved.
''Therev' he said, huskily. I've never
spoken more what was in my heart in
my life. do 1t because I want you
to understand-and not think me
mean father. I never had to talk that
way to lin and Roscoe. They under
stood without any talk, Bibbs."
Il see" said Bibbs. "At least
think do. But"
"Wait q minutew Sheridan raised
his hand. Tf you see the least bit in
the world, then you understand what
It meant to start one O. my boys and
have him come back on me the way
you did, and have to be sent to a sani-
tarium because he couldn't stand work.
Now. let's get right down to 1t, Bibbs.
I've had a whole lot O. talk with ole
Doc Gurney about you, one time and
another. and reckon l understand
your case just about as well as he
does, anyway.
"Now, why did work make You sick
instead Of brace you up and make a
man Of you the way 1t ought of done?
pinned ole Quincy down to it. I says,
Look here, amt 1t really because he
Just plain hated ttr Yes he says.
that's 1t. II he'd enjoyed 1t, it wouldn't
= a. hurt him. And that's shout the
way 1t To-"
Yes" said Bibbs, "that's about the
way 1t H."
"well. then, reckon it's up to me
make you like it!'
B1bbs shivered. And he turned upon
his father q look that was almost
Shostly. II can't" he said. in q low
volce. II can't"
Cant 20 back to the shop7"
mo. Can't Hike it can't"
Sheridan jumped up. his patience
gone. To his own view, he had rea-
sonsd exhaustively. had explained
fully and had pleaded more than ia
ther should, only to be met in the end
with the unreasoning and mysterious
Htubbornness which had been Bibbs'
banning Characteristic from childhood.
"By George, you willg' he cried.
You'll 20 back there and you'll like It'll
Hurney says 1t won't hurt you II you
ike It, and he says 1t II kill you II you
% back and hate It; 30 it looks as Y 1t
was about mp to you not to hate 1t.
Well, Gurney's q fool! Hatin' work
loesn't kill anybody; and this Isn't
goin' to kill you, whether you hate It or
not I've never made q mistake in a
serious matter in my life, and 1t wasn't |
. mistake my sendin' you there In the
oFst place. And I'm goin' to prove it |
I'm goin' to send you back there and |
slDA1rste ~ judgment Quincy says