Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1918-12-25
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By VICTOR REDd.lFFE

(Copyrisht. 1915, Western Nswspaper Uni on-y
Elston Gordon came from ''the best !
family in the state" and it spoiled him
not the eminence and responsibility of
the Gordons, but the pride of tradition,
the ready liberation and Indulgence Of
those who revered the memory of Gem
eral Alexander Gordon, a real hero Of
the Civil war. Then, too, his mother
was OF the Ballentynes, pioneers and
the granddaughter off, governor.
The family wealth., once extensive,
had been scattered. In a pinching,
wretched way Mrs. Gordon remained
In the grand old family mansion, and
even with her faded silks and laces
and obsolete jewelry, reigned queen Of
an exclusive social set. She t0iled and
managed behind the scenes until her
daughters wero well married off. Then
the tired old soul gave out and Elston 4
was left an orphan. He lived around
with this and that relative, gained a
good education, came back from COL
lege elegant and handsome as ever,
and one of his maneuvering relatives
introduced him to Viola Deane, and he
married her.
That Elston sincerely loved the lady
of his choice there was no doubt.
What was engrafted in his nature,
however, it was difficult to eradicate.
Elston had never done a stroke Of
work In his life. Viola, the only child
of: rich father, was proud of her &C.
complished husband, who was ideal at
tennis, dancing and acting the gener-
GUS host.
AS natural and unavoidable mat
ter Of course, Elston went to see Mr..
Deane. He made quick work Of an
nouncing his situation. The way the
old man burst out upon him was the
first real startler and waking up FL
ston had ever encountered. The old
man was merciless. When Elston re-
tired from the encounter with the in
furiated tyro he was angry, humiliat-.
ed and uneasy. Mr.. Deane had in
formed him that he was a worthless
spendthrift, had announced definitely
that not one dollar further would be
provided to keeping him in wasteful
idleness.
I'm other words" John Deane had
stated, "yOu are pauper. It's work
Of starve, for, until see you headed
on the road of industry and economy.
not cent"
Viola wept when Elston swept into
her presence nightly affronted and in
dignant. She had no idea that their
monetary affairs were so bad.
Don't antagonize papa, Elston,
DEAR" she pleaded. "Let US try and
meet his wishes. He is a wise and
prudent man. We must get down to
common sense and retrench."
"Oh !" shouted Elston, "you're getting
tired of me-, eh7 And you side with
your father" and, like the impetuous,
Irrational being that he was, he flung
out Of the house, for week INDUCED
in riotous round of dissipation, and
returned home to find the place vacant.
Eyes, great things have happened
while you have been playing fool" a
close friend told him. You've run a
mad career Of extravaganza, Gordon,
and you've got to pull up. Old Deane
has pounced down on all your wife had
to pay him back for the money ad-
vanced. You deserted her at criti-
cal moment, and everybody blames you.
She had no one to 90 to except to her
father, and IT, you'll take my advice
you will see her, patch up this r1dic-
u1ous quarrel, and 60 to work, and
show that you are a real man." -
"What!" cried Elst0n, ''knuckle down
to that old ,tyrant-never! He's wal
lowing In wealth, and he's humiliat-
ing me because he sdislikes me. Say.
I'll 60 him one better! I'll stir up some
of his ideas! Call his action snap
judgment. He might have given US a
little breathing spell mightn't he? Oh!
ri bring him down from his high and
mighty ideas. see If don't! Then I'll
sue him for alienation of the affections
Of my wife," 49,
you'll lose out, If you d." declared
Elston's adviser.
The town was agog two days later.
Arrayed in blue jeans, driving an old
nag attached to ramshackly peddler's
wagon, fastidious, exclusive Elston
Gordon drove down the street calling
out: "Cabbage! Turnips! Potatoes!"
He fancied that John .Deane would
soon come to terms rather than see
his high-toned son-in-law descend to
-, ~ n hvvn
But no-the wise old schemer had
his plan as well as Elston, and Viola,
though dismally, was helping him car
ry it out: One day after heroically de-
liyering q peck Of potatoes to pur-
chaser, Elston came out to the street
to find Viola dealing out a bunch Of
lettuce. He stared at her in wonder,
for she wore work apron and a hid
eous sunbonnet. >.,z..:
"See herel" he stammered, but she
rush he'd at him and wound her arms
about his neck. - -. :; =
ooh, you dear grand man." she
cried, showing the world that you are
no laggard when a crisis comes. I'm
going to help you spedd;e and isn't It:
glorious fun And we'll get a cheap lit.
tie place to 1--we in. And it viii just
be famous p :. 4 = = ~ r. ~
= "Why-why-In get a better job
than this" stammered Elston.s .'.Anild
you're a trump, to think Of helping
me r And next day he sought a po-s
sition more in accordance with his
tastes. &,-'4s - H.. --. a.. ~
And within six months John Deane
saw the Light, started him In a substnn.
tial business, and, having learned his.