The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1919-02-20

Rich folks can have anything they
want"
Uncle Peabody had sat splintering
the long stick OF yellow birch OBJ
served that the jackknife trembIed in
his hand His tone had a touch Of
unnatUralness, proceeding no doubt
from his fear of the man before him,
as he said:
when I bought that stove felt
richer than 1 do now. 1 had almost
enough TO settle with you up to date.
but 1 signed a note for q friend and
had to pay it"
"Ayuhi 1 suppose So" Grimshaw
answered in q tone of bitter irony
which cut me like a knife-blade, young
as / was. what business have you
signin' notes an givin' away money
which ain't yours TO give@Pd Ike to
know? What business have you actin
like a rich man when you can't pay
yer honest debts? I'd like to know
that. too7''
eff I've ever acted like a rich man
It's been when want Iookin'," said
Uncle Peabody.
what business have you to go en-
largin yer family-takin' another
mouth to feed and another body to
spin for? That costs money. 1 want
to tell you one thing, Baynes. you've
got to Jay up or git out O. here"
He raised his cane and shook it IN
the air as he spoke.
"Oh, l amt no doubt o. that" said
Uncle Peabody. You'll have to have
yer money-that's sure; an you will
have If If I live, every cent Of 1t.
This boy is gOin' to be a great help
to meyou don't know what a good
boy he Is and what a comfort he's
been to Usi"
These words Of my beloved uncle
uncovered ny emotions so that l put
my elbow on the wood-bOx and leaned
my head Lpon it and sobbed.
Il amt goin' to be hard on We,
Baypes," said Mr.. Grimshaw as he
rose from his chair; III give ye
three months 10 see what you can do.
I wouldn't wonder if the boy would
turn out all right He's big an -cordy
of his age and purity likely boy, they
tell me-"
AIr. Grimshaw opened the door and
stood for moment looking at US and
added in q milder tone: You've got
one o. the best farms in this town an
if We work hard an use common
sense We ought to be out O. debt in
five years-mebbe less"
He closed the door and went away.
Neither of us moved or spoke as we
listened to his footsteps on the gravel
path that went down to the road and
to the sound of his buggy as he drove
away. Then Uncle Peabody broke
the silence by saying:
Hes the dam'dest-"
He stopped, set the -splintered
stick aside, closed his jackknife and
went to the WATERFALL to cool his
emotions with a drink.
Aunt DeeI took up the subject where
he had dropped it, as if nO-half-ex-
pressed sentiment would satisfy her,
saying:
old skinflint that ever lived in
this world. ayes! 1 amt goin' to
hold my opinion O. that man no
longer, ayes I can't. It's too pow
erful-ayes! %
Having recovered my composure
repeated that I should like to give up
school and stay at home and work.
Aunt Dee interrupted me by say
:ag:
81 have an idee that Sile Wright
will help us-ayesI He's comm home
an you better go down an see him
ayes Hadn't ye?"
Bart an I'll go down to-morrer,"
said Uncle Peabody.
Some fourteen months before that
day my uncle had taken me to Pots
dam and traded grain and salts foI
what he called rip roarin' fine suit
O. clothes with boots and cap and
shirt and collar and necktie to match
1 having earned them by saving and
cording wood at three shillings {
cord. How often we looked back tC
| those better daysI The clothes had
been too big for me and had had to
wait until my growth had taken VI
| the slack" in my coat and trouser:
| before I could venture out of thC
| neighbour God. 1 had tried them OF
every week or so for long time. Now
my statue filled them handsomely
| and they filled me with a pride and
satisfaction which 1 had never known
: before.
snow may the Lord help We to b'
careful-awful terrible careful o
them clothes every minute O. this
day." Aunt Deer cautioned as sh'
looked at me- Don't git no horse
sweat nor wagon greaDe on en-