Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1921-10-19
Randal's Great
"Catch"
By HAZEL SMITH
g. 1921. Western Newspaper Union.)

| Uncle Seth. All the arrangements are
made. 1t is the happiest thought of
my life, to realize that it is my
| power to show you some appreciation
of all you and your family have done
! for me-"
| boy, there never was truer, bet
ter man than you'll"
David Prescott walked slowly across
the Burton farm. His heart was pref
| ty full. He loved the old man who
| had been his best friend since he was
left an orphan at an early age The
flush and thrill of good deed, how
ever, were robbed of some of their
glamour as David thought of the per-
| son most benefited-Randal Burton
In his own mind David did not be-
| ieve the old mans son worthy of the
sacrifice he was making for him.
Things were at a tight pinch at Bur-
ton farm with little or no cash re
serves.
You see" David had explained to
his uncle, there's reclamation prof.
ect to drain Rock Valley, and no one
knows every crook and turn of the old
river as l do. l have convinced the
commissioners of it. too. They have
offered me a two years position as
superintendent of the upper dam.
am to get 81, 800 a year. Half Of
that for two years will carry Randall
through the city law school.
SO it was settled With a great
flourish of trumpets Randall Burton
departed for the city.
The best that was in David came
out. He had said that no one knew
the river as he did, and David now
demonstrated the fact Within
month the engineers on the project
found his knowledge a valuable adj
junct to their technical processes. At
the end of six months the engineers
reported that his discovery of shale
obstruction had saved them ten thou
sand dollars. The commissioners
promptly advanced his salary twenty
five per cent.
Time wore on. David found time to
take up engineering and study eve
nings. At the holidays Randall came
home. The next vacation David was
disappointed to see how little real
law education the boy was acquiring.
"Confdentially, between me and
YOU" said Randall, II don't think as
much of the law as I did. A smat-
tering will be enough to help me put
up my single. Truth is Dave, I've
made a catch"
"What kind of catch?" inquired
his cousin.
Miss Dorothy Vance. Father a mil
lionaire You'll see her when she
comes"
In due time vacation days came
around, and Randall returned to the
farm. Mr.. Burton was grieyed, and
Dave disappointed. Randall went down
to the depot one morning to escort
Miss Dorothy to the home of the Del
combes.
The little lady insisted on walking.
AS they crossed a bridge, her atten
ton was called to gang of workmen
sinking hollow wooden tube in mud
hole at the bank of the river. The
man who was guiding it stood below,
half sunk in the Shiny clay. 1t was
David Prescott. He waved his hand
in friendly greeting to his cousin.
Come on" spoke Randall hurriedly.
"This is not at all interesting"
but that man waved his hand to
you"
"Oh, some mudlark of the crew,
suppose" responded Randall.
HE doesn't look like a mudlark,"
said Dorothy.
The irritated Randall managed to
draw his Interested companion away
from the scene. He escorted his
charge to her friends. Randall called
at the Delcombes' home next morn
ing, primed for that Wanted proposal.
Mrs. Delcombe informed him that
Miss Vance had started away for
walk along the river. Dorothy had
learned that Randall was not the am
bilious striving idol she had made of
him. She learned Of the noble sacri-
fee of his cousin.
1.-THE deuce !" exclaimed Randall Bur
ton, as he arrived at the bank of the
river
There was the truant lady. She
was conversing with David.
Randall came up, brash and braggart
as ever He tried to take Miss Dor
othy under his own especial wing.
The willful little miss continued in
terested over the wonderful river prof.
| ect
IT suppose can call this evening"
submitted Randall in rather a grum-
| bling tone.
"Oh, certainly" smiled the fascin-
ating little miss. 'only be sure to
bling your cousin, Mr.. Prescott with
YOU He is the most delightful young
| man have ever met
| There is an end to everything, and
| the end Of Randall Burton's careless
ambitions was a position in city Of
| fica nc n Sacopd-ratq StqnOpraOhQr