Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1919-01-21
IRVING DACHEILEN
Copyright, 1917, Irving Dschellsr)

While We were talking in walkeu
Benjamin GriUshaw-the rich man OF
the hills. He didn't stop to knock.
but walked right in as II the house
were his own. 1t was common gos-
sip that, he held mortgage on every
acre Of the countryside. had never
liked him. for he was a stern-eyed
man who was always scolding some
body. and had not forgotten what his
son had said Of him.
"GoOd night" he exclaimed CURLY,
as he sat Gown and set his cane be-
tween his feet and rested his hands
upon It. He spoke hoarsely and ]
remember the curious notion came to
me that he looked like our old ram.
He wore thin, gray beard under his
chin. His mouth was shut tight in
long line curving downward lit
tie at the ends. My uncle used to
say that his mouth was made to keep
his thoughts from leaking and going
to waste. He had a big body. a big
chin, big mouth. big nose and
big ears and hands. His eyes lay
small in this setting Of bigness.
"Why. Mr.. Grimshaw, It's years
since you've been in our house
ayes!" said Aunt Deel.
Il suppose 1t is he answered rath.
er sharply. II don't have much time
to get around. have to work.
There's some people seem to be able
to git along without 1t. see you've
got one o. these newfangled stoves"
he added as ne looked 1t over. "Huh !!
Rich folks can have anything they
want"
Uncle Peabody had sat splintering
the long stick Of yellow birch. I OBJ.
served that the jackknife trembled in
his hand. His tone had touch OF
unnaturalness, proceeding no doubt
from his fear Of the man before him,
as he said:
when I bought that stove I felt
richer than I do now. I had almost
enough to settle with you up to date,
but l signed a note for a friend and
had to pay It."
"Ayuh! I suppose So" Grinshaw
answered In 4 tone Of bitter irony
which cut me like knife-blade, young
as was. "What business have you
signin' notes an givin' away money
which amt yours to give-rd like to
knowa What business have you actin
like fich mrn when you can't pay
yer honest debts? I'd like to- know
that, too?"
III I've ev1I acted like rich man
it's been when I want lookin'," said
Uncle Peabody. vg
"What business have you to go en-
largin' yer. family -tskin' another
mouth to feed and another body to
spin fort That costs money. I want
to tell you one thing, Baynes, you've
got to Jay up or ct out o here"
He raised his cane and shook 1t in
the air az he spoke.
"Oh, amt no doubt o. that" said
Uncle Peabody. you'll have to have
yer noney-that's sure; an you will
have II II I live. every cent OF IT..
This boy IL goln' to be q great help
to me-yOu don't know what good
boy he Il and what comfort he's
been to us!'
These words sof my beloved uncle
uncovered my emotions 20 that l put
my elbow on the wood-box and leaned
my head upon It and sobbed.
II amt goin' to be hard on ye,
Baynes." said Mr.. Grimshaw as he
rose from his chair; "I'll give 70
three months to Gee what you can do.
I wouldn't wonder II the boy would
turn out all right. He's big an cordy
Of his age and purity likely boy. they
tell me-"
Mr.. Grimshaw opened the door and
stood for moment looking at US and
added in milder tone: you've got
one o. the best farms in this town an
II We work hard an use common
sense ye ought to be out O debt in
i've years-mebbe less"
He closed the door and went away.
Neither Of ID moved or spoke as we
listened to his. footsteps on the gravel
path that went down tot the road and
to the sound of his buggy as he drove
away. Then Uncle Peabody broke
the silence BY saying:
''He's the dam 'dest-"
He stopped, set the half-splintered
stick aside, closed his jackknIfe and
went to the WATERFALL to cool his
emotions with. q drink. u,