The Owosso times., 1921-04-29
The Old
Homestead
l@. 1891. Western Newspaper Union.)
By MURIEL BLAIR

"And l hereby bequeath and devise
to my nephews, Ralph Dayis and
Jonas Greer, the house on Main street
trustees to make the choice of award
Ing the same"
The lawyer read this extract from
the will of old Peter Davis in u 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.
ITS burning shame, Ralph!" said
outspoken Mrs. Davis. 'There is no
right or justice to 1t. Everybody
knows 1t, everybody Is scandalized."
"Oh, We're property owners now,
and shouldn't complain" reminded her
husband in 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."
"Well," rejoined Ralph, 81 under
stand that John Moore, one of the
trustees, is wearing a new diamond
pin, and they say that Greer present
ed 1t to him. Let 1t go. When l look
around and see how cozy you've made
Of palace"
Ralph's loyal little wife had a good
deal Of humiliation to subdue for
time. Mrs. Greer began to take to
herself certain social Importance.
People who were cads ignored the
hack 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
ly she ignored her. Ralph worked
hard. His life was centered i'm 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 un-
usual thing for him. His wife looked
alarmed and then curious, for her hus-
bands CHEEKY face was wreathed with
smiles.
swell. reckon we'll have to move"
he announced.
"Move When? Why?" cried his
bewildered helpmate with a gasp.
"Right away, and because our house
here Is Sold"
"But why sell 1t who is buying itr'
stammered the bewildered 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 we'll as the GreersT inquired
Ralph archly.
-Yes, we are!" declared the staunch
little woman. "Its been Just delight
ful, and we have made it 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 dollarsT
"The railroad company are giving
us twelve thousand dollars"
The delighted little woman broke
down and cried for sheer Joy.
The rext morning Mrs. Greer met
her neigibor 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
q 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 1t with
sense of indignation. He felt wronged.
Then he suddenly recalled a certain
scheme ending in a bribe, and kept his
conclusion to himself.
Glum and sullen Mrs. Greer grew
sharp voiced and thin over "the freak
of chance" that had placed her de-
spised neighbor in affiuence. 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 strlvings
of the Greers had led them to mort