River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1919-12-04

higher than they used to be. but he
doesn't spend within thousands of
what she used to, and we certainly
can't be spending more than we always
have spent. Where does it all go to?
Uncle George told me grandfather had
sold some pieces of property, and it
looks little queer. / have a faint
suspicion, not that he's getting misery
NOT that at all-but that old age has
begun to make him timid about money.
There's no doubt about it, he's get
ting little queer: he can't keep his
mind on subject long. Right in the
middle of talking about one thing he'll
wander off to something else; and
shouldn't be surprised if he turned
out to be lot better off than any of
us guess"
Isabel had bright idea. "Georgie!
Instead of tandem wouldn't it inter-
est you to get one of Eugene's automo-
bileS?
II don't think so. They're fast
enough, of course. In fact, running
one of those things is getting to be
quite on the cards for sport, and
people go all over the country in 'em.
But they're dirty things, and they keep
getting out of order, so that you're
always lying down on your back in the
mud and
ooh, no. she interrupted eagerly.
Haven't you noticed? The way they
make them now you can get at most Of
the machinery from the top. / do
think you'd be interested, dear"
George remained Indifferent. "Pos-
sibly-but hardly think so. / know
lot of good people are really taking
them up, but still"
"'But still what?' she said as he
paused.
"But still-well, / suppose I'm
little old-fashioned and fastidious, but
I'm afraid being sort of engine
driver never will appeal to me,
mother. It's exciting, and I'd like that
part of it, but still it doesn't seem to
me precisely the thing a gentleman
ought to do. Too much overalls and
monkey wrenches and grease! No; I
believe I'd rather wait for September
and a tandem, mother"
Nevertheless George sometimes con-
Sented to sit in an automobile, while
waiting for September, and he fire.
quently went driving in one of Eu-
genes cars with Lucy and her father.
He even allowed himself to be escort
ed with his mother and Fanny through
the growing factory, which was now,
as the foreman of the paint shop in
formed the visitors, turning out car
and quarter a day."
From the factory Eugene took them
to lunch at a new restaurant, just
opened in the town, a place which sur
prised Isabel with it's metropolitan
air. and, though George made fun of
her, in whisper, she offered every
thing the tribute of pleased exclama-
tons; and her gayety helped Eugene's
to make the little occasion almost
festive one.
Georges ennui disappeared in spite
of himself, and he laughed to see his
mother in such spirits. Il didn't know
neral waters could go to a persons
head" he said. Cor perhaps it's this
place. 1t might pay to have new res
taurant opened somewhere in town
every time you get the blues"
NO." Isabel said, "what makes me
laugh so much at nothing is Eugene's
factory. Wouldn't anybody be delight
ed to see an old friend take an idea
out of the air like that-an idea that
most people laughed at him for
wouldn't any old friend of his be
happy to see how he'd made his idea
into such a splendid, humming thing
as that factory-all shiny steel, click
ing, buzzing away, and with all those
workmen, such muscled-looking men
and yet SO intelligent looking? It's
beautiful to see such a thing she
said. ut makes us all happy, dear old
Eugene!'
And with brave gesture she
stretched out her hand to him across
the small table. He took it quickly,
giving her look in which his laughter
tried to remain but vanished before a
gratitude threatening to become emo
tional in spite Of him. Isabel, how
ever, turned instantly to Fanny. "Give
him your hand, Fanny" she said gay
ly; and as Fanny mechanically
obeyed, ''There!" Isabel cried. IF
brother George were here, Eugene
would have his three oldest and best
friends congratulating him all at once.
We know what brother George thinks
about it, though. It's just beautiful,
Eugene!''
Lucy leaned toward George and
whispered, did you ever see anything
so lovely?'
"As what?" George inquired, not
because he misunderstood but be-
cause he wished to prolong the pleas
ant neighborliness of whispering.
"As your mother! Think of her do
Ing that! She's a darling! And
papa'-here she imperfectly depressed
a tendency to laugh-"papa looks as
if bQ wpro oifhor sros,,o - our1o5o =.