The Meeker herald. [volume] (Meeker, Colo.) 1885-current, 1922-11-25
Old
Man Ephraim

BY JUSTIN WENTWooD

Old Ephralm, at the gate of tho
poorhouse. muttered disconsolately.
"What's wrong. Pop2" asked the
young man with the fishing-rod. "Sun's
shining birds building. young trees
shooting. Wouldn't that make most
anyone gladi"
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
a 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 dalnties
and tobacco. and his occasional In
ut by the authorities. But life wns
hard, and he was all alone.
The young man put his hand In his
pocket and Old Ephraim glared NJ
him.
Keep your charity for them that
begs for It" snarled Old Ephraim.
The young man laughed and clapped
him on the back.
you're Ephraim Stiles, aren't your"
he asked. I've heard Of you"
"Some have" growled Ephraim.
"Just taken place near here"
"You better go back md see 1t amt
burned down." snarled Ephraim.
The young man looked at him
thoughtfully. III l had q crouch like
that" he began. I'D do what I'm
going to do. Want to come along"
"Ehl" Old Ephraim's eyes lit up
MS he looked at the tlshing-rod. Il
ain't gone fishing these ten years gone
by"
"Aiakes you feel good, eh7 How
about ify'
"Pshaw! I'm too old rr that nom
sense. And they wouldn't let me out
-leastways-"
Listen! know a place-a little
brook you could walk everywhere no.
body's fished for years. because they
don't know what know. Trout so
Longing, hungry fellows! And
there's one fly 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.
81 s'pose you want some one to
carry your creel?" he growled.
The young man laughed. They took
by-path from the village and ira
versed a thick growth Of young pine.
Old Ephralm developed surprising
alacrity.
"Say, that's old Ponderby's place"
he said, pointing to big house on the
hill. "Ef he was- to- know, there'd be
the devil to pay for this. Lemme &c
back"
But he showed no signs of going
back, and they reached little stream
thick with water lilies. A trout
jumped.
"F'r the love Of Mike!" said
/. Ephraim. II useter go fishing every
7 Sunday. You take first turn. mister
Say. femme me put on your fiy"
4 The young man handed him his rod
"You take first go, Ephraim." he
said. "Try Silver Doctor"
Old EphraIm's fingers trembled as
he looped the fly to the gut. He cast
There came a rush, the clicking rec
Srevolved.
"Got hint" shouted the young man
t"Here let me get the net under him.
Old Ephraim. scorning the net. drew
gthe fish ashore. 1t looked like three
aQuarter FOUNDER, which is going some
8 for brook trout.
y mo. you keep 1t up" said the younl
s.man, as Old Ephraim offered him the
Srod.
Toward shutdown Old Ephraim ,ait
down the rod In melancholy. He hat
caught round dozen Of big fellows
mot to mention those he had thrown
back.
$50 long" he said, grasping thu
young mans hand. Say! Plenty o
folks come along with their charit!
rj1ce been in there. but you're tn
first one showed the real milk OF hu
man kindness. Make me feel like
two-ycar-old. Well, so long!"
await a minute" said the youni
man. How'd you feel about job?'
.jN..,t job:" Old Ephraim lookc'
suspicious.
a .Uh, just to walk about and super
wise the estate, and see there's no net
ting. You see, I've bought Ponderby'
place. Moved In last week. Com
along up to the house. then. Refer
epces? Well, guess a good fisher
maD doesn't have to give reference
n another, Ephraim."
Use Of suffix Fad.
There appears to be decided ten