The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1918-01-15

OIL, nelghhor.
"I have no money" explained ABB
ner.
"Oh, come now! You can certainly
spare ten dollars"
81 can't, Mr.. Burton" replied Abner
81 told you last week that my two
sons IN the city have-er-changed
their positions, and cannot send me
any more money to help me along"
II advise you to donatew almost
Kissed John Burton between his teeth,
and Dick noticed that his companion
shuddered at the yelled threat con-
veyed by words and manner. He HIM
self stepped forward, brave as lion.
"This old man has done his bit al
ready, sir" he announced boldly, HE
has given his two sons to thd army
that's what he meaLs when he says
they have changed their positions"
John Burton flushed up. 1t was a
thrust direct, for neither OF his own
sons had aspired TO the honor of serv-
ing their country. The able Ned Bur
ton had been exempted for some trivial
cause by the exemption board the
week previous and the magnate shift
ed uneaslly as ne realized how it had
been brought about.
'Mr. Burton holds mortgage on the
old farm" explained Abner, as he and
Dick resumed theiE way. "It is not
fair one, and he squeezed me pretty
hard When the old mortgage came
due and couldn't pay it, he threat
ened to foreclOse it If didn't make
new one for double the amount"
"Oh, he did, ehY muttered Dick re-
fiectively 81 think I'll look this pre-
ciOus patriot up Bit"
He was lying behind hedge resting
one noon, when two professional-lOok-
ing men paused beyond his covert.
They We're two physicians, apd COM
prised the military examining board OF
the district. They were quarreling
over the division of certain sum Of
money. AS they passed on, Dick Mars
ton jumped to mis- feet with vigor.
$50 that's the way 1t is, is it?" he
muttered. " think I've got my cue
One hour later he was ushered into
the luxurious library of Mr. John Bur
ton The latter regarded his shabby
caller dubiougly.
"Oh! you're the tramp Wells is
keeping" he sneered. 81 suppose he |
has sent you to beg off on the pay
ment Of his interest"
"He hasn't" retorted Dick auda-
ciously. 'I've come on my own inl-
tiative, to get not only receipt for
that interest, but cancellation of the
entire mortgage"
"You--w-what !" fairly howled Bur-
ton.
"What said. That, or I'll expose
you"
"You fnsolent ruffian !"
''Hol1 on, there ~ ordered Dick, cor
TIL do what I threaten at once. You
have robbed old Abner Wells, you
bribed the doctors here to exempt that
cowardly son of yours. No, then, de-
mand a receipt in full for Mr.. Wells
demand, further, the sum of one
thousand dollars cash to keep him till
his boys come back, or I'll show you
up for the bogus patriot you are"
John Burton sat petrified. He was
trapped in a close net, and realized it.
"It's a cheap offer" proceeded Dick
coolly. Moreover, I'll let your well
son get fine credit and honor. I'll let
1t appear that, disappointed at his ex-
nmption, he has nobly offered to
finance certain relations of mine, while
go to the front, his substitute, his
representative so to speak"
-Four months later Abner Wells, new
er fully understanding the apparent
munficence of John Burton, received
n letter from his two sons in the
trenches, which ended:
eve narrowly escaped destruction
last week, and there's strange end
to the incident. The whole company
we're unawares Of a foe sneaking upon
US, when daring young fellow from
another regiment came scaling the Hill.
yelling out a warning. He fell, pierced
by a dozen bullets, but he saved us.
He died last night in the hospital, and
he left word with the nurse to seek
put Ben and Harvey Wells, ourselves,
md ask us to send a note he had die
lated to you. I irclose the note. Can
you throw any light on this queer af-
'air?"
And Abner Wells, far away at peace
'ul GEenville, read the rudely scrawled
words:
Dear old father-the only one I
lver knew and loved--for your sake, /
lave done my bit"
And the weak, death-waverlng sig
nature was Dick MarstonI
Copyright 1917, Western Newspaper Union.)