Gilpin observer., 1920-04-29
A MATTER OF
CHOICE
BY ALVAH J. GARTH

MY cnOice,S Salu RODert wayne,
SIS travel. My ambition is to see the
world"
"Action Is what wish to expert
ence," spoke Bert Haywood, business.
society, politics. and such so that 1
gain n training that fits me for my
final mission In life"
adventure for me !" chirped Aleck
Martin douehtly. Battle, wild ami
mails, aviation, fighting outlaws or
trailing animals. The daring and
thrilling is my forte.'
And then Reuben Merle and the
three who had spoken looked at Cliff
ton Bross inquirngly.
Come, speak up, Clifton ~ ordered
bluff hearty Reuben Merle. "How do
your inclinations rum"
~ can say II in word" came the
careful measured reply, education"
and the old man looked impressed, the
others amused.
"As If six years in college hadn't
given you surfelt of that" jeered
Martin.
"Well, l wish to use 1t in practi-
cal way out In the world" supple
mented Bross
"rake your fling, lads" broke in
Merle. "You have the time to demon
strate your various preferences. Then d.
come back and settle down, and there's
room enough and money in this lonely
old house for all of you-and four
pretty CHEEKY wives in the bargain, IL
you choose!"
"He was quaint old fellow, this
Reuben Merle. and he had been like an
own father to the Quartette of lads
he had adopted from an orphan asy-
lum eight years previous and develop
ed into manly, intelligent young fel-
lows He had now started them out
on an ''independent test" as he called
1t.
"Come back satisfied; that Is all
ask" he told them. and although he
missed them from the first he cOnsOled
himself by rhilosophizing' that few
months ION their own hook" would
vastly expand their ideas.
1t was three months to a day when
Robert Wayne one morning burst in
upon Merle with a hearty handshake
and CHEEKY note of gladness.
"Bad penny-bound to come back to
you!" he tried to joke. well. I've
had my fill of travel. On the way to
the slope we were nearly frozen to
death and starved, stalled in n snow
drift. Tried to get to Honolulu.
Steamer wrecked and lost all my be-
longings. Intend to do my travelling
right around this comfortable dear old
home and study law with n purpose"
"GOOd - commended Merle heartily.
you're settled then. Wonder who
will be the next One?'
1t was Haywood and he little
resembled the splck and span young
knight errnnt who had left home with
such lofty ambitions.
"Fm through!" he reported with de-
finiteness. "ActiOn? l got it with
vengeance. Thought l had business
head and Joined In with promoter.
He got my money at the beginning
and have been hanging around wait
Ing for the gorgeous dividends ever
since. eat humble pie. l do, and II
youll let me rest n BIT I'll put up my
shingle as 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 mducent as loving shep-
herd welcoming stray lambs back to
the home fold.
It was just month after that When
Aleck Martin put In an appearance.
They scarcely recognized him. He
had n half-healed scar on his cheek
one arm in a sling, and limped.
adventure" he explained briefly.
81 got It in n mining camp when
joyful cowboy flung bowie knife mt
that cheek. A playful encounter with
grizzly did the rest" {
"Wonder what has become of Cliff
ton Bross and his qiest for practical
education?" more than once suggested
Merle. and one day he walked In.
Whereas. he had been naturally pale :
and slight looking, he was now
brOnzed and husky He greeted all
hands with n new sef-assurpnce that
bespoke success, or at least satisfac..
tiOn. il ri SdakIS
"All here?" he commented In a.
the problem OF practical education,
am pleased to say. have always
maintained, you know, that man
may he gentleman farmer. or Il
scientific carpenter, II 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 father have come back
to ask you to put me In charge of the
farm here" .
"Well well! ~ commented Merle in
grntified way. "IIow did you come
IN tolsp I'm tho nlpv shnra and I'm rvast