Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1935-01-03
Old Sans Advice
BY e. L. GILL
q. Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate.
WNU Service.

l. eye. Blooming there so Whitley IN
the stagnant waters of the swamp.
He grasped Old Sam Matthias by the
shoulder and pointed 1t out. Old Sam
grunted in noncommittal fashion.
Young Bill had not been a cheerful
companion to 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
to the mountain shack OF the old
guide, seeking sympathy and help in
the major crisis Of his twenty-five
wears. But Old Sam was bored. Count
less times before the boy had taken
his problems to the unlettered, weather
beaten old guide in the hills. and al.
ways before Old Sam had set him
Alright.
The old mans attitude deepened
Bills resentment toward the world In
general-and Betty In particular. The
entire trouble, of course. was Betty.
It was an ancient story that Bill told
Old Sam-a story Of the magnificent
dove Of boy for girl; the boy I'M
bued with the idealism Of the age OF
chivalry hopelessly. Enthusiastically In
love with fascinating bit of girl sud.
denly irked by the restraint Of old
fashioned standards and "Out to nnd
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 his heart and mind and
soul of her.
"I 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 trout.
"Pm going to 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 mind to take the
lantern and have a look. Better come
along, you'll sleep the better for it,"
The old mans suggestion sounded
silly to the distracted youngster. who
nevertheless consented. grudgingly
The swamp was little more than q
ten minute walk along the trail. Old
Sam. boots drawn to his hips, led the
way. carrying the lantern. The youth
followed. nashlight In hand. At the
edge of the water they stopped and
at Old Sans direction. Bill searched
the surface Of the swamp until the flash.
light caught the white flower.
I'm bit curious about thar flower
Bill; I'm a-goin' to get ii out and take
1t 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 SCI
to work to replant his lily. talking the
while In quiet, soothing tones. as hi
might have to a sick wayfarer.
Brave little lady-had a right tough
time of it out there in that swamp.
reckon.
Cant figure out how you come to b.
in such a vile smellin' place-mighty
bad company you was in.
Seemed to like 1t right smart at thai
stubborn as an old mule about com
In out-guess you didn't knew then
weeds was a-goin' to choke you In time
There she is now. Ma, good as new
and amt she beauty! Reckon sht
feels lot better. too-suspect If she
could talk she would be a-tellin' us tha
she's mighty happy to get out of tina
swamp"
But Old Sam got no further with hi.
monologue. Young Bill Holland wa!
dashing out through the open doorwa,
of the shack
Betty was dancing lightly from tabl
to table, RECALLING the party with
song. Bill stood, unnoticed, watching
He waited until Betty's solo dane
brought her close to where he stood
AS she whirled. he caught her upraise,
arm in biting grip. A youth rushe
forward to resent the indignity. Bill
fist caught the point Of his chin.
The merry-makers confronted Bill
en- masse at the doorway. denouncin
him in shrill outbursts. Meanwhile
Bill was delivering eloquent II dis
jointed references to poisonous weed
and filthy water.
Betty was a subdued young lady
The first flush of fiery indignation
passed as quickly as it came. 1t ma
have been an expression on Bill Hol
lands face; 1t may have been some
thing else.
She was quite ready to go TO the ca
with Bill. Meekly. she allowed hersel
20 be led up the steps of the record
er's home. Meekly. too. aided by Bill
grur promptings, she answered tn
necessary questions.
When they were again in the road
ster and Bill had pocketed the docu
ment given him by the recorder. Bett
laid her head on Bits shoulder an6
women-like. cried great. warm tears
Now. for the first time since he lef
Old Sam Matthias shack far I'D In tn
hills, Bits clenched law relaxed