The Holly chieftain., 1919-02-20


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. I see you've
got one O. these newfangled stoves"
he added as he looked 1t over. Huh
Rich folks can have anything they
want"
Uncle Peabody had sat splintering
the long stick of yellow birch. ! OBJ
served that the jackknife trembfed in
his hand. His tone had touch of
unnaturalness. proceeding no doubt
from his fear of the man before him.
as he said:
"When l bought that stove felt
richer than I do now. I had almost
enough to settle with you up to date.
but 1 signed a note for q friend and
had to pay it."
"Ayuhl l suppose So" Grimshaw
answered in a tone Of bitter irony
which cut me like a knife-blade, young
rs I was. "Whnt business have you
signin' notes an givin' away money
which amt yours to give-Td like to
know2 What business have you actin
like a rich man when you can't pay
yer honest debts? I'd like to know
that. too?"
"If I've ever acted like a rich man
it's been when I want lookin'," sait
Uncle Peabody.
"What business have you to 60 en-
largin' yer family-takin' another
mouth to feed and another body to
spin for7 That costs money. | wrnt
to tell you one thing, Baynes. you've
got to pay up or git out O. here"
He raised his cane and shook 1t in
the air as he spoke.
'Oh, 1 amt no doubt O. that" said
Uncle Peabody. you'll have to have
yer money-that's sure; an you will
have II II l live. every cent Of II.
This boy is goin' to be great help
to me-you don't know what good
boy he ls and what comfort he's
been to us!"
These words of my beloved uncle
uncovered ny emotions so that put
my elbow on the wood-box and leaned
my head upon 1t and sobbed.
II ain't goin' to be hard on ye.
Baypes," said Mr.. Grimshaw as he
rose from his chair; "Tll give ye
three months to see what you can do.
l wouldn't wonder II the boy would
turn out all right. He's big an cordy
Of his age and a purity likely boy. they
tell me-"
MIR. Grimshaw opened the door and
stood for moment looking at US and
added In milIer tone: you've got
one O. the best farms In this town an
If We work hard an use common
sense ye 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 m'dest-"
He stopped, set the half-splintercd
stick aside, closed his jackkntfe ana
went to the WATERFALL to cool MS
emotions with drink.
Aunt Deel took up the subject whera
he had dropped it, as If no-half-ex-
pressed sentiment would satisfy her.
saying:
old skinfllnt that ever lived in
this world, ayesl l amt goin' to
hold my opinion O. that man no
longer, ayesl l can't. It's too pow
erful-ayes!"
Having recovered my composure
repeated that should like to give up
school and stay at home and work.
Aunt Dee interrupted me by say
ing:
II have an idee that Sile Wright
will help us-ayesl He's comm home
an you better go down an see him
ayes! Hadn't ye2"
"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 for
what he called rip roarin' tine suit
O. clothes with boots and cap and
shirt and collar and necktie to match.
having earned them by saving and
cordlng wood at three shillings a
cord, How often we looked back to
those better daysl The clothes had
been too big for me and l had had to
wutt until my growth had taken up
tho "slock" in nv coat and trousers