The Pulaskian., 1921-05-19
CHAPTER TWo-continued.

Israel Sneed, the plumber, was working with his men on a job at Mill lerton, but he took on the plumbing for the Bing house extension, at prices above all precedent, to be done as soon as he could get to it on his re- turn. The butcher and grocer had im- proved the opportunity to raise their prices, for Bing never questioned a bill. He set the pace. Prices stuck where he put the peg. So, unwilling ly, the millionaire had created condi- tions of life that were extremely diff ficult
 Since prices had gone up the vil- lage of Bingville had been running down at the heel It had been at best and, in the main, rather shiftless and inert community. The weather had worn the paint off many houses before their owners had seen the need of repainting. Not until the rain drummed on the floor was the average, drowsy intellect of Bingville reused to action on the roof. It must be said. however, that every one was busy. every day, except Hiram Blenkinsop. who often indulged In ante mortem slumbers in the graveyard or went out on the river with his dog Christmas, his bottle and his fishing rod. The people were selling goods, or teaming, or working in the two hotels or the machine shop or the electric light plant or the mill, or keeping the hay off the lawns. or building, or teaching in the schools The gardens were largely dependent on the spasmodic industry of schoolboys and old men. So it will be seen that the work of the community had little effect on the sup ply of things necessary to life. h. deed, general habit of extravaganza had been growing in the village. Peo- pie were not so careful of food, fuel and clothing as they had been.
 It was a wet summer in Bingville The day after the rains began, Pro- lessor Renfrew called at the house of the sniffy Snodgrass-the nouveau riche and opulent carpenter. He sat reading the morning paper with a new diamond ring on the third finger of his left hand.
 My roof is leaking badly and 1t will have to be fixed at once" the pro- lessor announced.
 I'm sorry. I can't do q thing for you now" said Snodgrass. i've got so much to do, I don't know which way to turn"
 But you're not working this rainy day, are you?" the professor asked.
 "No, and I don't propose to work in this rain for anybody; if I did I'd fix my own roof To tell you the truth, don't have to work at all I calculate that I've got all the money need. So, when it rains intend to rest and get acquainted with my family"
 He was firm but in no way disagree able about it.
 Some of the half-dozen men who, in like trouble, called on him for help that day were inclined to resent his declaration of independence and his devotion to leisure, but really Mir Snodgrass was we'll within his rights.
 It was a more serious matter when Judge Crookers plumbing leaked and flooded bis kitchen and cellar. Israel Sneed was in Millerton every day and working overtime more or less. He refused to put hand on the judges pipes. He was sorry but he couldn't make horse of himself and even if he could the time was past when he had to do it. Judge Crooker brought plumber from Hazelmead, sixty miles in a motorcar and had to pay seventy dollars for time, labor and materials. This mechanic declared that there was too much pressure on the pipes. judgment of whose ac- curacy we have abundant proofin the history of the next week or so. Never had there been such a bursting of pipes and flooding of cellars. That little lake up in the hills which sup piled the water of Bingville seemed to have got the common notion of moving into the village. A dozen cellars were turned into swimming pools. Modern improvements were going out of com mission. committee went to Hazel mead and after weeks pleading got a pair of young and inexperienced plumbers to come to Bingville.
 "They must "a plugged 'em with gold" said Deacon Hosley, when the lbill arrived.