The Leader, enterprise and press. (Fitzgerald, Ga.) 1915-1921, 1921-01-10
His
riiends
BY BEVERLY MARSTON
Copyright. 1919. By Western Newspaper Union.)

WHEN Druty IdlNe OleQ, leaving
his fortune divided among some 20
heirs, his second cousin, Wilbur Tyr
rell, shared in the same to the extent
of over $4,000. Young, prodigal, pos.
sessed of a rollicking, generous spirit,
he gave up his position as clerk in
the general store Of the village and
proceeded to spend his little fortune
royalty. He bought an automobile,
fine raiment, moved from his humble
boarding house to the most expensive
suite In the local hotel, and proceeded
to loan, or waste his money upon any
old friend he came across.
1t was only day to a year when
Tyrrell one gloomy afternoon sat in
the office Of his lawyer, fidgety and
worried. Having always seen to it
that his fees were kept closely collect
ed, and assured that there were no
more feathers to pluck from this ex-
travagant spendthrift, the attorney
did not hesitate to inform Tyrreii
bluntly that he was a ruined man.
"Worse than that" added the law
yer, "they levied on your auto at the
garage this morning, and as you know
attached your account at the bank.
Gregson is making some big threats
as to his hotel bill. He says if you
don't pay 1t he'll lock you up"
''What does he mean by that?" in
CURED Tyrrell, trife anxiously.
"a mean, grasping man with money
and influence can just about wear out
the soul Of debtor, If so Inclined"
declared the lawyer. 81 advise you
to slide. It's husks and q far coun-
try for you, if you want to preserve
about all you've got left-your lib
erty."
Wilbur Tyrrell made a wry face
and swallowed lump in his throat.
Cold facts confronted him and he had
to act quickly. He was aware that
the hotel bill included charges not at
oil appertaining to himself individ-
ually, but contracted by the group Of
hangers-on who had helped him waste
his inheritance. He reflected a few
moments, his lips closed firmly and he
placed his watch and a diamond ring
on the desk before the lawyer.
"That about strips me-" he observed
with an uneasy laugh. "Settle as far
as you can. AS you advise, I am GO
ing to-slide."
Obscurely Tyrrell left the town at
nightfall. He shrugged his shoulders
lightly as he found less than dol
lar in his purse. A hayward impulse
seized him to drift whittier fate might
lead him. The quiet moonlit beauty
OF the woodland road fascinated him.
He tried to forget the year he had
wasted. He must have tramped 20
miles when, wearied and sleepy, he
climbed fence and lay down to the
sweetest sleep of his life beside hay
stack.
you don't have to do that.
stranger" aroused him at early dawn.
and looking up he met the pleasant
glance OF an old man with a pitchfork
over his shoulder. "We'd have given
you comfortable shakedown I'D at
the house. AS it is, you're welcome
to a free breakfast"
"Why, thank you," answered Tyrrell.
his heart warming to the kindly i'm
pulse OF man he had never met be-
fore. He was hungry. and as he was
ushered into a bright, wholesome
looking kitchen with a radiant young
girl Of about eighteen bustling about,
whom his host called Althea, he drank
In a vast sense Of comfort and home
liness.
Tyrrell might not have reached a
permanent goal, but certainly here
was an oasis. blooming, inviting, offer
Ing a warm welcome. Mr.. Burton
read clearly that he WIS no tramp, but
discerned the attire Of young man
out of sorts and luck. Within the hour
Tyrrell was at work, within week a
well-liked member Of the household.
Althea Burton had a berry garden
which was her especial care, and from
Its product she received quite an in
come. Her pleasant ways and the
geniality Of her father won upon the
exile and at the end Of a month he
was like a new man. Then came dis.
covery. Tyrrell was busy near the
house one day, when q passing auto
mobile halted suddenly. Its driver
stared steadily at him and then
urged up full speed.
"he'H be after me as soon as he
can get cut the papers," mused Tyrrell
disconsolately, and that night stole
away from his cherished haven of
peace and plenty. He had recognized
his prosecutor, the hotel man.
He decided to 90 to the former home
town Of his uncle, and see IL among
his relations he could not borrow the
$3.50 due the persistent and ava.
ricious Gregson. A vast surprise
awaited him. A heavy insurance pol.
icy Of his uncle had been discovered
and as one Of the heirs Tyrrell re
ceived $1,000.
Il wish to pay the money / don't
owe you," he said CURLY to the hotel
man two days later.
"Oh, that's been all settled" he was
advised. II told the people you were
working for about II, and Miss Burton
paid the bill. She's hoping you viii