The Meeker herald., 1922-09-30
Old
Man Ephraim
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
By JUSTIN WENTWooD
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS


Copyright. isss. wsstsr. Newspaper Union
"Hello. Pop! Feeling good today?"
Old Ephraim. at the gate Of the
poorhOuse, muttered discOnsolateiy.
"What's wrong. Pop?" asked the
young man with the fishlng-rod. Suns
shining. birds building, young trees
shooting. Wouldn't that make most
anyone glad7"
Old Ephraim growled sullenly. He
had been In the poorhouse two years,
since his daughter died. He was not
very old. but he was unused to any
trade: the little store had failed. and
4 long spell Of sickness had taken the
last Of his savings and rendered him
unfit for active labor.
The villagers were kind to the old
man. and often brought him duIDtles
and tobacco. and his occasional In.
Engagements Of the rules were winkcd
at by the authorities. But life was
hard. and he was all alone.
The young man put his hand in his
pocket and Old Ephraim gared at
him.
Keep your charity for them that
begs for III" snarled Old EphraIm.
The young man laughed and capped
him on the back.
You're Ephralm Stiles, aren't you"
| he asked. 1--WE heard Of YOU"
"Some have" growled Ephraim.
"Just taken place near here
"You better go back and see 1t amt
burned down." snarled Ephraim.
The young man looked at him
thoughtfully. "If had crouch like
that" he began. I'D do what I'm
going to do Want to come along?"
"Eh% Old Ephraim's eyes lit up
| as he looked at the fishIng-rod. II
ain't gone fishing these ten years gone
by"
Make, you feel good, eh? How
about iff'
"Pshaw! I'm too old fr that non
sense. And they wouldn't let me out
-ieastways-"
Listen! I know 4 place-a little
brook yov could walk everywhere no.
body's fished for years. because they
don't know what I know. Trout so
long-big. hungry fellows! And
there's one ny they'll jump at"
"Say. you kinder poster me-"
Old Ephraim glanced craftily back
toward the poorhouse. He was unob-
served. He came hobbling out Into the
street.
II s'pose you want some one to
carry your creel?" he growled.
The young man laughed. They took
a by-path from the village and ira
versed thick growth Of young pine.
Old Ephraim developed surprising
alacrity.
"say. that's old Pondcrby's place"
he said. pointing to big house on the
hill. EFF he was to know. there'd be
the devil to pay for this. Lemme go
back"
But he showed no signs Of going
back. and they reached little stream
thick with water lilies. trou:
jumped.
"F'r the love of Mike!" said
Ephraim. 81 useter go fishing every
Sunday. You take first turn. mister.
Say. femme me put on your fly"
The young man handed him his rod.
"You take first go. Ephraim." lie
said. TRY a Silver Doctor"
Old Ephraim's fingers trembled as
he looped the fly to the gut He cast.
There came a rush, the clicking reel
revolved.
Got himl" shouted the young man.
Here, let me get the net under him"
Old Ephraim. scorning the net, drew
| the fish ashore. It looked like three
quarter FOUNDER. which Is going some
for brook trout.
mo, you keep 1t up" said the young
man, as Old Ephraim offered him the
rod.
Toward shutdown Old Ephraim laid
down the rod in melancholy. He had
caught a round dozen Of big fellows,
not to mention those he had thrown
back.
$50 long" he said. grasplng the
young mans hand. "Sayl Plenty of
folks come along with their charity
since been In there. but you're the
first one showed the real milk of hui
man kindness. Make me feel like
two-year.old. Well, so long!'
"W9it minute" said the young
man. How'd you feel about a job?"
"What job?" Old Ephraim looked
suspicious.
"Oh, just to walk about and super
wise the estate. and see there's no net
ting. You see, I've bought Ponderby's
place. Moved In last week. Come
along up to the house. then. Refer
! ences? Well. guess good fisher
man doesn't have to give references
to another, Ephraim."