The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1934-11-23
Old Sans Advice
By E. l. GILL
G. Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate.
WNU Service.
By E. L. GILL

ne SEaSpeu OlQ sam haILnlaS Uy Inv
shoulder and pointed il out Old Sam
grunted in nOncommittal fashion.
Young Bill had not been cheerful
companion 10 Old Sam on this last
trip and Old Sam was showing his dis
appointment Young Bill, for his part
was both definitely disappointed and
irritated with Old Sam. He had come
10 the mountain shack of the oil
guide, seeking sympathy and help in
the major crisis of his Twenty-Five
years. But Old Sam was bored Count
less times before the boy had taken
his problems 10 the unlettered. weather
beaten old guide in the hills, and al
ways before Old Sam had set him
Alright
The old mans attitude deepened
Bits resentment toward the world In
general-and Betty in particular. The
entire trouble, of course, was Betty.
II was an ancient story that Bill told
Old Sam-a story OF the magnificent
love Of a boy for girl; the boy I'M
bued with the idealism Of the age OF
chivalry hopelessly, fantastically in
love with fascinating bit Of girl sud
denly trked by the restraint Of old
fashioned standards and ~out to find
what life Is all about"
1t was not, Bill often told himself,
that he had any desire whatever for
the young lady's affection any longer.
The maddening thing was that he
couldn't rid MS heart and mind and
soul Of her.
Y wouldn't know what TO say to that,
SON" Old Sam condescended once or
twice during the day. Nothing more.
And when night had settled and they
sat on the porch Of the mountain shack,
Old Sam talked Of rrout.
I'm going 10 bed the youth said.
"Got little somethin' I'd might like
TO do tonight, been a thinkin' OF that
flower we saw back there In the swamp
today. Somethin' sort of queer about
that Don't banker much for sleep
myself and have a mind TO take the
lantern and have a look. Better come
along, you'll sleep the better for IL"
The old mans suggestion sounded
silly to the distracted youngster, who
nevertheless consented, grudgingly.
The swamp was little more than a
ten minute walk along the trail Old
Sam, boots drawn to his hips, led the
way, carrying the lantern. The youth
followed. fashlight in hand. At the
edge Of the water they stopped and,
at Old Sans direction, Bill searched
the surface Of the swamp until the fash
light caught the white flower.
I'm a bit curious about thar flower,
Bill; I'm a-goin' to ger it out and take
IL back TO the shack; looks to me like a
lily" and Old Sam started into the
swamp. sinking knee-deep in the mire.
Its some sort Of lily, sure as you
live, son." he called back TO Bill.
Back in the shack Ma Matthias
rustled an old bucket, grumbling the
while at these consarn fool notions.
Bill was dispatched to fill the bucket
with clean rich earth and Old Sam set
TO work to replant his lily, talking the
while IN quiet, soothing tones. as he
might have to a sick wayfarer.
Brave little lady-had a right tough
time Of II out there In that swamp, !
reckon.
Cant figure out how you come to be
in such a vile smellin' place-mighty
bad company you was In.
Seemed TO like 1t right smart at that
stubborn as an old mule about COM
in out-guess you didn't knew them
weeds was a-goin' to choke you In time.
There she is now, Ma, good as new
and amt she beauty Reckon she
feels lot better, too-suspect If she
could talk she would be a-teIlin' US that
she's mighty happy to get our Of that
swamp"
But Old Sam got no further with his
monologue. Young Bill Holland was
dashing out through the open doorway
Of the shack.
Betty was dancing lightly from table
TO table, RECALLING the party with q
song. Bill stood, unnoticed, watching.
He waited until Betty's solo dance
brought her close to where he stood.
As she whirled, he caught her appraised
arm in a bitiLs grip. A youth rushed
forward to resent the indignity. Bills
fist caught the point Of his chin.
The merry-makers confronted Bill
en- masse at the doorway, denouncing
him in shrin outbursts. Meanwhile,
Bill was delivering eloquent If dis
jointed references TO poisonous weeds
and filthy water.
Betty was a subdued young lady.
The first flush of fiery Indignation
passed as quickly as it came. 1t may
have been an expression on Bill Hol-
lands face; 1t may have been some
thing else.
She was quite ready to 60 70 the car
with Bill Meekly, she allowed herself
10 be led up the steps Of the record
er's home. Meekly, too, aided by Bills
grun premptings, she answered the
necessary questions.
When they were again in the road
ster and Bill had pocketed the docu-
ment given him by the recorder, Betty
laid her head on BilPs shoulder and.
women-like, cried grear, warm tears.
Now, for the first time since be left
Old Sam Matthias shack far up In the
hills, Bills clenched jaw relaxed.
Far up in the hills Ma Matthias was
again reminding Old Sam that be had
TO go to the swamp after breakfast.
Ma was a practical soul and saw no
sense in paying that florist down In
town a dollar and half for a potted
lily and then leaving the pot buried In
that dirty swamp.
Rnt Old Sam was sleering nea cefrlilr