South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-07-25

Jerome Edwards. the tragedy OF life
began at the age Of ten. His father.
Abel Edwards. had gone, that morn
ing. with his wagon and old nod
ding white horse. TO his woodIot
20 cut wood for Dr. Prescott.
Or. Prescott had ara obsession for
owning land. When there was "a
lack ~ ready money o. pay his eX-
orbitant bills. ne seized with avidity
upon mortgage, and ne foreciosed
without grace or mercy
DR.. Prescott had held a thousand
dollar mortgage upon the Edwards
house for years Jerome had al
WAYS fancy OF 81 as a huge black
bird with Kissing beak perched upon
the ridge pole.
The old white horse coming home
turning out az the beck OF q phan-
tom driver for the bad places in
~ country road was met upon
his arrival at the Edwards cottage
with wild shrieks IN woman's
voice. a child's frightened sob. and
a boys sober answers 10 the eager
questions OF a small mob Of men
and boys following after.
There was an immediate rush 20
tho wood lot, bat Jerome had
reached the spot first OF all on
the shore OF a black pool Of water,
reputed among the boys 90 be bot
tomless. he found his fathers hat.
Jerome weighted u with stones and
flung IL IN. Then ne bottled for
home by another route. Let 'em
say father drowned himself now,
be gasped out as he ran.
Abel Edwards has been missing
two years when Jerome. studying
the situation day and night, knew
the truth: They could never. al
though they half starved them
selves, meet the interest OF the mort
gage. He made a plan.
He went 20 consult Squire Eben
Merritt The squire was a notable
hunter and fisher. and had been
bent that morning upon "A fishing
excursion. He was the kindest man
In the place. not rich as had been
his ANCESTORS but lived as a rich
man. being possessed Of generosity
which Is the real Horn OF Plenty.
Jerome looked straight at the
squire. and made his little speech.
He had rehearsed IL often. When
he had finished. the squire burst
into a great roar OF laughter, and
caught the boy by the shoulder
YOU don't mean you planned this
all yourself2"
Yes. sir I've been layin awake
nights, plannin'.
How old are you"
Twelve. sir"
by Jovei"
stole into the room. Her dimpled
arms and neck were bare and her
shower of gold curis fell to her
waist She wore a frock OF soft
blue below which showed the finest
starched pantalets and little blue
Morocco shoes. The squire turned
and caught her up. and she sat on
one shoulder with his golden beard
spreading over her blue skirt.
The squire told Jerome TO call on
Or. Prescott and show his plan.
4 small dark. very kind and quick
lady. who was the squire's wife and
I.ucina's mother showed Jerome
the door. and he went down the
street in a daze. Jerome almost
forgot the important paper he car
ried, He had never seen a little girl
like Lucina Merritt.
Jerome called on DIR. Prescott.
who deigned TO read his paper and
then summarily dismissed him. He
hated him in a strange way for a
man 70 hate a boy. On hts way
home Jerome encountered Squire
Merritt coming out OF a woodland
ROAD Win great eIAuE VI llell.
What luck. SOM" he called out.
"He turned me out. I'd like TO
kill him"
The squire laughed and made
Jerome walk alOng with him 10 mis-
sister Camilla's. who kept elderly
maiden state IN the old Merritt
house.
jerome always remembered that
hour OF drinking and cake-eat-
ing IN the arbOr with Squire Merritt
-1j his sister and little LuCina, as
n would have an especially beau
tifuI TURN OF his Kaleidoscope OF life
Untu he was much older. Jerome
dfd not GULLY comprehend i'm what
way FheL Merritt had sOivel his
financial difficulties. Then he dis
c.tvered THAI the squire had made
great sacrifices of his none TOO large
competency TO buy from DIR. Pres
colt and take the Edwards mort
Cage into his own hands.
Now life began 10 look brighter
for Jerome. He could not go 20
school In the ordinary sense. so he
went direct 10 nature. He i'm his