The Carlisle independent., 1918-06-13
"HiS Bit''
By EVA ROSTER MANpEviLLE.


 my poor man, but 1t won't be very sumptuous.'
 Boiled potatoes with their skins on, lots of salt, corn bread fresh milk P observed the early-morning visitor of Abner Wells, peering through the open window at the kitchen table. "Viands mot victuals! Fit for kingi" You are welcome to what there is, friend,' said old Abner, and led the way into his kitchen. Things are not up to the old neatness since I've got half-crippled with the rheumatism. My two sons used to keep the place trim and neat. but they went to the city, and miss their help." You won't miss mine, soon as I fill I up on this gorgeous fare,' pledged Dick Marston, roustabout and wander CT. He ate with the satisfaction of a hungry man. "Now. then, to pay for 1 the meal" he spoke finally, arising ] with briskness. Hold on, thought must check off yesterday, first"
 What are you doing that for?" cu- riously inquired Abner, as his visitor, with the stump of pencil, checked off the day previous on small pocket calendar.
 "Sixty-frst day of perfect sobriety," explained Dick. You see, used to drink heavy. I'm cutting if out"
 Blessed thing:' approved Abner. ''I hope you'll make it sixty-one years" "i know my poor shiftless life don't count fer much.t observed Dick quite nournfuliy, but I propose to die so- Der. Here you are," and he started iii picking up the dishes. He washed, dried them and sef them in apple-pie order in the cupboard. He swept up the rooms. Then he was outside, brisk and diligent.
 "Why. you've paid for a weeks board :" o.ied Abner as he came out of tLe honse at noon to find heap of cord wood sawed, cut and piled neatly. Dinners ready, and I've cooked chicken
 "Ofi. this is just parad;se." chuokled Dick. with smack Of the lips. 'I say, We couldn't make some arrangements 10 keen it up. could we?'
 His brisk, bright ways captivated the old man. Neither exactly compre hendeG how it came about, but at the end of week Dick was still guest of old Ahner Wells. They took a great fancy to one another, and they ex- changed condolences, mutually impart- ing the story of their lives.
 You're like father to me-" de- ciarcd Dick foelingiy.
 You make the right kind of a son." cnirred his host.
 Dick worked about the little place with willingness and diligence. Some how, with odd jcbs in the village and what the garden produced, they man. aged 10 make ends meet.
 About month had gone by when ,fs in the town, they came upon group at the edge of the sidewalk. At the curt an automobile had drawn up. In Its front seat was rompous, loudly dressed man. In the rear seat were two young men, evidently his sons. One was a cripple, and had pair of -+rta of ci1 h0 nfh xxQC marvel of healthfu'ness in appear ance
 The artocretic-looking father had evidently been delivering harangue tc the crowd. He esried Abner.
 "Ecy! I vant to speak te you" he hailed sn5 Ahncr stepped forward. ''rm raising money for the Red Cross," announced John Burton, inagnate, and he waved 6 sheet of paper. I'm down for hundred dollars. Come. do your sil ps.ehbor.'
 q have no money' explained Alb ner.
 'Oh. cone now! You can certainly spare ten dollars"
 "1 c..l't, Mr. Burton" replied Abner. '1 told you last week that my two sons n the city have-er-changed, their positions. and cannot send me any rore money to a.lp ne along"
 T advise you ta doilatel" almost hisse6 Iohn Burton between his teeth. and Dick noticed that his companion shrddered at the yelled threat con- veyed by words ahd manner. He him selt stepped forward. brave as lion.
 This old man has done his bit all ready. sir" he announced boldly. 'He has gwen his two sons to the army that's what he means when he says they have changed their positions"
 Jchn Burton flushed up. It was a thrust direct. for neither of his own sons had aspired to the honor of serv- ing their country. The able Ned Bur