The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1920-05-05
A MATTER OF
CHOICE
By ALvAH }. GARTH


society, politics, and such so that i
gain n training that fits me for my
final mission in ljfe."
adventure for mel" chirped Aleck
Martin douehtly. Battle wild AMI
mails, aviation, fighting outlaws Or
trailing animals. The daring ana
thrilling is lay forte
And then Reuben Merle and the
three who had spoken looked at Clil-
ton Bross inqulrlngly.
"Come, speak up, Clifton - ordered
bluff, hearty Reuben Merle. "How do
your incllnations run"
II can say it In word" came the
careful measured reply, education
and the old man looked impressed, the
others amused.
"As If six years in college hadht
given you II surfelt of that" 1eered
Martin.
"Well, / wish to use It In practl-
cal way out IN the world supple
mented Bross.
Take your fling, lads broke in
Merle. "You have the time to demon
strate your various preferences. Theh
come back aud settle down, and there
room enough and money In this lonely
old house for all of you--and 1our
pretty, CHEEKY wives In the bargain, II
you choose !"
"He was a quaint old fellow, this
Reuben Merle. and he had been like an
own father to the quartette or lhus
he had adopted from an orphan asy-
Ium eight years previous and develop
ed into manly, intelligent young fell
lows. He had now started them OUT
on an "lndependent test" as he called
it.
Come back satisfied; that is all
ask" he told them, and although he
missed them from the first he consoled
himself by philosophizing that few
months ION their own hook" would
vastly expand their Ideas.
II was three months to day when
Robert Wayne one morning burst IN
upon Merle with hearty handshaEe
and CHEEKY note of gladness.
bad penny-bOund to come back TO
you!" he tried to joke. We'll, I've
had my fill of travel. On the way to
the slope we were nearly frozen TO
death and starved, stalled In snow
drift. Tried to get TO Honolulu
Steamer wrecked and lost all my be-
longlngs. Intend to do my travelling
right around this comfortable dear old
home and study law with n purpose. ."
"Goodi" commended Merle heartily.
You're settled then. Wonder who
will he the next one"
1t was Haywood and he little
resembIed the spick and span young
knight errant who had left home with
such lofty ambitions.
"I'm through - he reported with de-
fniteness. "Action? got 1t with
vengeance. Thought I had a business
head and joined in with promoter.
He got my money at the beginning
and I have been hanging around wait
ing for the gorgeous dividends ever
since eat humble pie, | do, and II
you'll let me rest Bit I'll put up my
MS a doctor and find my action
with surgical experiments and acids"
you're welcome. / can tell you
that" said Reuben Merle, and WAS
tender and indulgent as a loving shep-
herd welcoming stray lambs back to
the home fold.
It was Just month after that when
Aleck Martin put in an appearance.
r'hey scarcely recognized him. He
Rad haIf-healed scar on his cheek,
one arm in sling, and limped.
adventure" he explained briefly.
'T got 1t In mining camp when a
joyful cowboy flung bowie knife at
that cheek A playful encounter with
a grizzly did the rest"
"Wonder what has become of Cllf-
ton Bross and his quest for practical
more than once suggested
Merle, and one day he walked IN.
Whereas. he had been naturally pale
md slight looking, he was now
bronzed and husky. He greeted all
hands with Il new self-asSurance that
bespoke success, or at least satisfac-
lion.
can here?" he commented in a
pleased way. "Good! I have solved
the problem of practical education, |
am pleased to say. / have always
you know, that n man
may be gentleman farmer, or Il
scientific carpenter, If he has the
brains. Fellows, I've learned more
about agriculture in eight months than
| could have acquired by study in as
many years. Dear old patron, friend
and adopted fatherl / have come back
10 ask you to put me in charge of the
farm here"
well! well" commented Merle in
, gratified way. ''IIow did you come
% take up the plowshare and harvest
.r?'
"Well, 1t was fate" responded Cliff
on. 81 fell sick near . farmhouse.
lind people took me in. A kinder
laughter nursed me. Love and farm
ng. SeeT
"And-and the young lady In ques-
ion?" ventured Merle.
"Oh, Rosa, my wife, you mean?' in
Iuired Clifton, placidly and proudly.
/ left her at the hotel here, until /