The Red Cloud chief. [volume] (Red Cloud, Webster Co., Neb.) 1873-1923, 1921-04-14
CHAPTER TWO-Continued.

-
Israel Snecd. the plumber, was
working with his men on job Mt NIL
lerton. hut 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 i'm
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-
lions Of life that were extremely diff
fcult.
Since prices had gone up the vii
lage Of Bingvlle had been running
down at the heel. 1t had been mt hest
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 rcpalnting. Not until the rain
drummed on the floor was the average,
drowsy intellect of Bingville reused to
action on the roof. II must be aid
however, that every one was busy,
every day, except Hiram Blenkinsop.
who often INDUCED 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 spasmodc
industry of schoolhoys and old men
So II will I've seen that the work of the
community had little effect on the sup
ply Of things necessary TO life. In.
deed, n general habit OF extravaganza
pie were not so careful of food, fuel
and clothing as they had been.
II was wet summer In Bingville.
The day after the rains began, Pro.
fessor Renfrew called Mt the house Of
the snlfry Snodgrass-the nouveau
richie and opulent carpenter. He sat
reading the morning paper with new
diamond ring on the third finger Of his
left hand.
"My roof Is leaking badly and II
will have To he fixed ut once" the pro-
fessor announced.
"I'm sorry. ! can't do thing for
you now," said Snodgrass. "Tve got
so much to do, l don't know which
way to turn"
"But you're not working this rainy
day, are yOuT the professor asked.
"No, md don't propose to work In
this rain for anybody; II ] did I'd fix
my own roof. To tell you the truth. !
don't have to work at all | calculate
that I've got all the money need So.
when 1t rains, ] intend to rest and get
acquainted with my family"
He was firm but In no way disagree
able about II.
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, hut really Mr..
Snodgrass was well within his rights.
IL was q more serious matter when
Judge CroORer's plumbing leaked and
flooded his Kitchen and cellar. Israel
Sneed was In MllertOn every day and
working overtime more or less. lie
refused TO put q hand on the Judges
pipes. He was sorry hut he couldn't
make q horse OF himself and even II
he could the time was past when he
had to do II. Judge CroOker brought
plumber from Ha2emead, sixty
miles In n motorcar. and had TO nav
seventy dollars for time labor and
materials. This mechanic declared
that there was too much pressure on
the pipes, judgment OF whose nc.
curacy we have abundant proof In the
history of the next week or So Never
had there heen such bursting OF
pipes and flooding OF cellars. That
little lake up In the hills which sup.
piled the water of Bingville seemed tC
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. A committee went TO Hazel
mead and after weeks pleading got
pair of young and inexperienced
plumbers to come 10 Bingvlle.
"rhey must IA plugged 'em with
gold" said Deacon Hosley, when tho
bill arrived.