Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1921-05-19
The Old
Homestead
BY MURIEL BLAIR
&c. ry2L Western Newspaper Union. }

TO my nepheWS, Ralph Davis and
jonas Greer, the house on Main street
and the house on Railroad street my
trustees TO make the choice of award
Ing the same"
The lawyer read this extract from
the will of old Peter Davis in sing
song tone. There was long sigh of
relief from Jonas Greer and a pleased
expression on the face of Ralph Davis.
Good old Uncle Peter had not forgot
ten them, even if he had given a
goodly portion of his worldly goods to
charity.
Further" the lawyer continued his
reading, "the first one of said nephews
making five thousand dollars the
same shall be received in full pay
ment for the old homestead"
There was due speculation among
the gossips of Brandon for a week aft
er that, as to which Of the fortunate
heirs of old Peter Davis would receive
the best property award.
The Greers had no children. There
were two pretty, curly-headed tots in
the Davis family.
After thinking and debating over
the matter at the end of week the
trustees of the Davis estate awarded
the Main street property to the
Greers.
IT'S a burning shame, Ralph" said
outspoken Mrs. Davis, "There is no
right or justice to it. Everybody
knows it, everybody is scandalized."
"Oh, We're property owners now,
and shouldn't complain" reminded her
husband in a pleasant way.
But think of 1.-THE Greers have
no children, and we have. 1t is dan
gerous for them so near the railroad
tracks. Besides that, this property
isn't worth half as much as the Main
street place"
We'll" rejoined Ralph 81 under
stand that John Moore, one of the
trustees, is wearing new diamond
pin, and they say that Greer present
ed it to him. Let it 60 When | look
around and see how coy you've made
the place here, / feel as if it is a kind
of palace"
Ralph's loyal little wife had good
deal of humiliation to subdue for
time. Mrs. Greer began to take TO
herself a certain social Importance
People who were cads ignored the
back street home. The yards of the
two houses adjoined at the rear. First
Mrs Greer pitied her humber neigh
Dor Then she was indulgent. Final
iy she ignored her. Ralph worked
hard. His life was conferred in his
home, and his sterling, steadfast faith
in the future began to influence his
wife. one day he came home in the
middle of the day. This was an I'M
usual thing for him His wife looked
al rmed and then curious, for her hus-
bands CHEEKY face was wreathed with
smiles.
"Well, / reckon Wen have to move"
he announced.
Move When? Why?" cried his
bewildered helpmate with a gasp.
fright away, and because our house
here is sold"
But why sell it; who is buying it?'
stammered the bewlldered wife.
THE railroad company. If we hold
back, the property will be condemned
anyway, so we had better close the
bargain. They are paying US a big
price"
But to tear up, when we are so
nicely settled here! !"
''As well as the GreersT inquired
Ralph archly.
Eyes, we are !" declared the staunch
little woman. ITS been just delight
full, and we have made 1t a real home
"Well, the new one may suit you
better" predicted the husband. "In
fact, Madge, / have decided to buy the
old homestead"
"Why, where, how can you get five
thousand dollars?"
1.-THE railroad company are giving
us twelve thousand dollars"
The delighted little woman broke
down and cried for sheer Joy.
The next morning Mrs. Greer met
her neighbor on the street. The latter
noticed that she scanned her last sea-
sons dress rather keenly. Then, when
she heard that the Greers were giving
a large party and she was not invited,
Mrs. Davis realized that the upstart
Greer family were ashamed Of them.
The whole town knew of what they
called their good luck, one morning.
The sale of the little house on Rail-
road street was the gossip of the VIII
Iage. Jonas Greer heard Of II with a
sense Of Indignation. He felt wronged.
Then he suddenly recalled a certain
scheme ending in bride, and kept his
conclusion TO himself
Glum and sullen Mrs. Greer grew
sharp voiced and thin over 1.-THE freak
Of chance" that had placed her de-
spised neighbor in atiiuence. She suf-
fered worse when a new humiliation
faced her. The railroad people pro-
ceeded to build their noisy smoke
producing shops within fifty feet of
the Greer residence,
In the meantime the social striyings
of the Greers had led them to mort