The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1922-12-15

he WINS all eyes: couldn't look at any
thing else for time, and was hardly
conscious of the rest Of that wea
zened, peaked little face and the under
sized wisp of body with Its pathetic
adjuncts Of metal and leather. think
they, were the brightest eyes I ever
sawt-as keen and intelligent as 0
wicked old woman's, withal as trust
full and CHEEKY as the eyes Of setter
pup.
"Hoo-rayw
Thus the Honorable Mr.. Beasley
waving handkerchief thrice around
his head and thrice cheering,
And the child, In that cricketi
voice Of his. replied:
"Br-r-ra-vol"
This was the form of salutatlon ia.
millarly in use between them. Beas-
ley followed 1t by inquiring, who's
with us today?"
"Tm Mister Swift" chirped the little
fellow. mister Swift, If you please,
Cousin David Beasley."
Beasley executed a formal bow
"There Is gentleman here who'd like
to meet YOU" And he presepted me
with some grave phrases commenda-
tory of my general character, address
ing the child as mister Swift" ;
whereupon Mister Swift gave me a
ghostly little hand and professed him.
self glad to meet me.
"And besides me-" he added, to
Beasley, there's Bill Hammersley and
Mr.. Corley Linbridge."
faint perplexity manifested itself
upon Beasley's face at this, a shadow
which cleared at once when asked II
might not be permitted to meet these
personages, remarking that I had
heard from Dowden of Bill Hammers
ley, though until now a stranger to
the fame of Mr.. Corley Linbridge. +.
Beasley performed the ceremony
with Intentional elegance, while the
boys great eyes swept glowingly from
his cousins face to mine and back
agln. / bowed and shook hands with
the air, once to my left and once to
my right.
"And Slmpledoria cried Mister
Swift. you'll enjoy Simpledorla."
"Above all things" l said. Can he
shake hands2 Some dogs can"
"Watch him!" Mister Swift lifted
commanding finger. "Slmpledorla,
shake hands |"
I knelt beside the wagon and shook
an imaginary big paw. At this Mister
Swift again shook hands with me and
allowed me to perceive. In his lumi-
nous regard. q solemn commendation
and approval.
In this wise was my initiation into
the beautiful old house and the cor
diality of its inmates completed; and
I became q familiar of David Beasley
and his ward, with the privilege to go
and come as pleased; there was al
ways gay and friendly welcome. al
ways came for the cigar after lunch,
sometimes for lunch itself; sometimes
/ dined there instead Of down town
and now and then when 1t happened
that an errand or assignment took me
that way In the afternoon, l would run
In and visit" awhile with Hamilton
Swift, Junior, and his circle Of friends
There were days, of course, when
his attacks were upon him, and only
Beasley and the doctor and old Bob
saw him; do not know what the boys
mental condition was at such times
but when he was better, and could be
wheeled about the house and again re-
celve callers, he displayed an almost
dlsmaying activity of mind-it was ac-
tive enough, certainly, to keep far
ahead Of my own. And he was mas
terful: still, Beasley and Dowden and
Il were never directly chidden for in
subordlnation, though made to vince
painfully by the look Of troubled sur
prise that met us when we were moi
quick enough to catch his meaning.
The order of the day with him al
ways began with the "IoO-ray" and
"Br-r-ra-vo" of greeting; after which
we were TO inquire. "Who's with us to
dayY' Whereupon he would make
known the character In which he elect
ed to be received for the occasion. II
he announced himself as sinister
Swift" everything was to be very
grOwn-up and decorous indeed. For
malities and distances were observed
and Mr. Corley Linbridge Gan elderly
parsonage of great dignity and distinc
ton as mountaln-climberl was mucl