Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1923-02-21
Old Tom Smith, the
Ledger
BY JOHN PALMER
,"s.s"s"s"s-s"s"s-s"e"s" see
20. 1922, Western Newspaper Union.

| Mr.. Smiths been in the penltentlary.
"Shucks, child. don't you pay no at
tention to that talk" answered Marian
Weaver. Run along and clean up for
supper now"
Elsie, the other child, came home
with the same story. Ma, Mr.. Smiths
been in the penitentiary. Somebody
recognized him."
$50 long as Mr.. Smith pays his
| rent l don't care where he's been
! answered Mrs. Weaver. go and tell
| him supper's ready"
| 1t was three months since Mrs. Wea-
| yer had taken old Tom Smith as a
ledger. The old man was very quiet.
He was newcomer to Bridgeport.
He had drifted in one day, made in
| quiries about boarding, and Marian
| Weaver had agreed to take him. He
had a job in the grist mill.
1t was really good thing for
Marian Weaver. Her husband had
died ten years before and she had
moved to Bridgeport from. another
part of the state. She had had a hard
struggle at first, but she had opened
little shop next door to the house
which now supported them comfort
ably. Hence there was really no need
to take in old Mr. Smith.
He was all right, very fond of the
children, and used to take them out
sometimes and spent a good deal of
money on them. But he was also arbi
trary and interfering, and they re
sented that.
Augustus was always at his mother
to get rid of the old man, but she re-
fused. It's home for him." she
said, land 1 won't have him turned
out He's very kind to you children,
and you ought to appreciate him."
Jaw, it's like having a stepfather I"
mutteYod Augustus.
Marian Weaver colored She was
not ignorant of the malicious gossip
that was flying around. But then
tongues wagged everywhere. Neverthe-
less, even those who were best dis
posed toward her opined that she was
foolish to permit herself to be talked
about, and that 1t would be better If
old Mr.. Smith did seek other quarters.
The old man came in to supper and
sat down in his place. The food was
served.
Augustus, why don't you keep your
elbows in? What sort of boy dyou
think you're going to turn out If you
aat Iilrs a tramn7"
Augustus muttered sulkily. and went
on with his dinner
Elsie. child, can't you eat without
smacking your lips every mouthful you
take?"
Jaw, what's 1t got to do with your
demanded Elsie.
Augustus flared up. Eyes, guess
we've had about enough of you" he
shouted IF you don't like the way
we eat. you can just get out of here
Nobody asked you into our home, any
way"
O}d Mr.. Smith rose up trembling.
when l was a boy, your age" he
stammered my father d have taken
me into the woodshed for less thar
half what You said to me.
yah, but you amt our father. you
see, YOU old jailbird!' yelled Angus
tus, sending his bowl of soup swishins
into Mr.. Smiths face.
Marian Weaver cried out and ran
round the table. Augustus, leave the
room Immediately" she cried, as she
wiped the greasy liquid from the old
mans clothes. "Oh, I wish your father
were alive. You're becoming the worst
boy in Bridgeport !"
Augustus went out sulkiIy. Elsie
went on with her dinner in delight,
Old Mr.. Smith said very little there
after.
Marian had to do some shopping.
When she came back she saw the
three sitting contentedly together on
The stoop They were eating nuts and
raisins, which old Mr.. Smith had
bought for them.
"Say, Ma, he amt such bad ole
guy, after ALL" Augustus said thai
night. AN he's promised not to in
terfere mt meals no more. Gee, Tn
sorry threw that soup at him, Say,
Ma. you're not In love with him, are
you?"
"Why, what an idea, child" ex-
claimed Marian Weaver, coloring,
she went out of the boys room.
Old Mr.. Smith was sitting in the par
lor They faced each other, uncer-
tainly,
$50 it's known" said the old man
huskly. 81 guessed it would be after
| saw Hi Stern, who was in the penl
tertiary with me, That knocks our
plans on the head, my dear"
'Oh, Tom, l don't care! I want you
back The children want their
father"
And have them branded with the
stigma of lail-hird's children,
Mariana No, my dear. I'll be salts.
| fed to remain old Tom Smith to them
| if can Just be near them and see
' don't n n hp tho Of