The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1919-12-19

II lent Uncle George two hundred: ]
gave fifty apiece to old Sam and those
two other old darkies that worked for
grandfather so long, and ten to each
of the servants here"
"And you gave me thirty-six," she
said thoughtfully, "for the first
months rent. in advance"
did I? I'd forgotten. Well, with
about a hundred and sixty in bank
and our expenses hundred month.
it doesn't seem. as If this new place
STILL" she interrupted, 1--WE have
paid the first months rent in advance,
and it does seem to be the most prac-
teal"
George rose. "See here, Aunt Fanny. -
he said decisively. "You stay here and
look after the moving. Old Frank
doesn't expect me until afternoon.
this first day, but I'll go and see him
now"
1t was early, and old Frank,
just established at his big, fiat-topped
desk, was surprised when his prospec-
tive assistant and pupil walked in. He
was pleased. as well as surprised, how
ever, and rose, offering a cordial old
hand. "The real flare!" he said. sThe
real flare for the law. That's right !.
Couldn't wait till afternoon to begin !!
I'm delighted that you"
II wanted to say" George began,
but his patron cut him OF.
"Wait just a minute. my boy. I've
prepared q little speech of welcome,
and even though you're five hours
ahead of time, I mean to deliver 1t,
First of all. your grandfather was my
old war comrade and my best client /;
for years l prospered through my con-
nection with his business, and his
grandson is welcome in my Office and
to my best efforts in his behalf. But 1
want to confess, George, that during
your earlier youth 1 may have had
some slight feeling of-well, prejudice,
not altogether in your favor; but what
ever slight feeling it was, it began to
vanish on that afternoon, a good while
ago, when you stood up to your Aunt
Amelia Anderson as you did in the
Majors library, and talked to her as a
man and a gentleman should. 1 saw
then what good stuff was in you-and
l always wanted to mention 1t. I think
you'll find an honest pleasure now in
industry and frugallty that wouldn't
have come to you in more frivolous
career. The law is Jealous mistress
and a stern mistress. but "a"
George had stood before him in
great and increasing embarrassment !;
and he was unable to allow the ad-
dress to proceed to its conclusion.
II can't do It'll" he burst out. 81
can't take her for my Mistress"
"What?"
"I've come to tell you, I've got to
find something that's quicker. I
can't"
Old Frank got little red Lets sit
down." he said. whats the trouble7"
George told him.
The old gentleman listened sympa-
thetically. only murmuring: well,
well p from time to time, and nodding
acquiescence.
"You see she's set her mind on this
apartment" George explained. She's
got some old cronies there, and guess
she's been looking forward to the
games of bridge and the kind of harm
less gossip that goes on in such places.
Really, it's a life she'd like better than
anything else-better than that she's
lived at home, / really believe 1t
struck me she's Just about got to have
it. and after all she could hardly have
anything less"
This comes pretty heavily upon me,
you know" said old Frank. 81 got her
into that headlight company, and she
fooled me about her resources as much
as she did your Uncle George. l was
never your fathers adviser, if you re-
member, and when the insurance was
turned over to her some other lawyer
arranged it-probably your fathers.
But it comes pretty heavily on me, and
feel certain responsibility"
Not at all. I'm taking the RESPONSE
bility." And George smiled with one
corner'of his mouth. "11l tell you how
1t is, SIR" He flushed. and, looking out
of the streaked and smoky window be-
side which he was sitting spoke with
difhcuity. Il feel as if-as if perhaps
l had one or two pretty important
things in my life to make up for. Well,
l can't. 1 can't make them up to-to
whom l would. It's struck me that,
as l couldn't I might be little decent
to somebody else. perhaps-if 1 could
manage it! never have been particu-
larE decent to poor old Aunt Fanny"
"Oh, don't know: 1 shouldn't say
that. A little youthful teasing-I
doubt if she's minded so much. 1t
seems to me she's had fairly COM
Portable life-up to now-if she was
disposed to take it that way"
But up to now is the important
thing" George said. "Now Is now
and you see can't wait two years to
be admitted to the bar and begin to
practice I've got to start in at some
thing else that pays from the start,
and that's what I've come to you
about. L have an idea, you see."
well, I'm glad Of thatl" said old
Frank. smiling. 81 can't think of any