The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1921-06-24
CHAPTER THREE-continued.

Indeed 1t was the tin soldier, VINO
stood on his little shelf looking out
Of the window, who first reminded
Bob Of the loneliness and discomfort
of the CON- AS a rule whenever the
conscience of the boy was touched
Mr.. Bloggs had something to say.
1t was late in February and every
one was complaining of the cold. Even
the oldest inhabitants Of Bingville
could not recall so severe a winter.
Many families were short of fuel. The
homes Of the working folk were in.
sufficiently heated. Money in the bank
had given them a sense of security.
They could not believe that its magic
power would fail to bring them what
they needed. SO they had been care
less of their allowance Of wood and
coal. There were days when they
had none and could get none at the
yard. Some men with hundreds of
country at night and stole rails off
the farmers fences. The homes of
these unfortunate people were raw
aged by influenza and many died.
Prices at the stores mounted higher.
Most of the gardens had been lying
Idle. The farmers had found 1t hard
to get help. Some of the latter, in
deed, had decided that they could
make more by teaming at Mlllerton
than by toiling in the fields, and with
less effort. They left the boys and
the women to do what they could with
the crops. Naturally the latter were
small. So the local sources of supply
had little to offer and the demand up
on the stores steadily increased. Ger
tain of the merchants had been, In a
way, spoiled by prosperity. They were
rather Indifferent to complaints and
demands. Many of the storekeepers,
irritated, doubtless, by overwork, had
lost their former politeness. There
were days when supplies failed to ar
rive. The railroad service had been
bad enough in times of peace. Now,
II was worse than ever.
Those who had plenty of money
found 1t difficult to get a sufficient
quantity Of good food Bingville be-
ing rather cut off from other centers
Of life by distance and poor railroad.
Some drove sixty miles to Hazelmead
TO do marketing for themselves and
their neIghbors.
Mr.. and Mrs. J. Patterson Bling
however, In their luxurious apartment
at the Waldorf-Astoria hotel In New
York. knew little of these conditions
until Mr.. Bling came up late in March
for a talk with the mill superintend-
sint. Many Of the sick and poor suf.
tered extreme privation. Father O'Neil
and the Reverend Otis Singleton of
the Congregational church went
among the people, mlnlstering to the
sick, of whom there were MANY. and
giving counsel to men and women
who were unaccustomed to prosperity
and Unqualified wisely to enjoy II
/ One dav, Father O'Neil saw the Wild.
ow Moran coming into town with n
great bundle Of fagots on her back
This looks little like the old conn.
lstry," he remarked.
She stopped and swung her fogotS
to the ground and announced: "It do
that an may God help us! It's hard
times, Father In spite O. all the mon.
ey, It's hard times. 1t looks like there
wasn't enough to go 'round-the sbins
be takin' so many things to the old
i country"
How is my beloved ShepherdY, the
good Father asked.
"Mother o God! The house is tba,
cold, he's been layin' abed for n wnat
an Judge Croker has been away on
the circuit" .......
Too bad!' said the priest. 'Tve
been so busy with the sick and tbe
dying and the dead have hardly baG
time to think Of you"
Against her protest he nfckad -
the fagots and carried them ON bi h,
Own back to her kitchen.
he found the Shepherd in swas,s,
sitting up in bed and knitting socEs
How Is my dear boy7n the good y,