Evening star., 1941-09-21
Sometimes only slender line divides
right from wrong. My father knew this,
and on the night old Jake died he acted
> by Garth II. Spencer
Mssrotsd by A. N. Smpkin

died - just before came home"
We'll -"
Mother didn't finish, but knew what she
was thinking. What everyone would think -
that it was good thing for the community
that old Jake Wirtz was gone
Dad still stood by the stove. Presently he
looked at me for the first time since he'd
come in '-Son. he said abruptly, you d bet
ter hit for bed. You've got to start clearing
that north forty in the morning
l got up l never argued with my dad -
and started for the stairs. But lump of
bitterness grew in my breast. l had hoped
Dad would hire a man to clear the forty
Since he hadn't, it meant no more school for
me except the winter term. Part way up the
stairs stopped and looked back. I had heard
Dad clear his throat "Hattie! he called.
Mother came in from the kitchen, wiping
her hands. She stood there, waiting. Dad
cleared his throat again.
Hattie" he said. IF a man gave you
something gave it of his own free will -
wouldn't you say that thing was yours. to
keep and do with as you pleased?"
Mother looked puzzled. why should
think So" she said.
Lad looked away, staring at the wall. Il
don't reckon" he said slowly. there ever
was man 50 generally despised as old Jake
Wirtz - or ever deserved to be. But maybe
he counted me his friend - don't know"
Sam. Mother said, what do you mean?"
Dad drew deep breath. Along toward
dark saw Jake wasn't going to last much
longer. He d been unconscious all afternoon -
moaning and groaning on that dirty cot
against the wall Charley Baggs was with me;
he'd stopped on his way to town. We we're
talking about Jake's son, Tom. Do you
remember him?"
Mother nodded. remembered Tom too.
Years ago. before he ran away from home, he
used to come over to our place. liked him:
made me whistles and kites and things. I'd
never forgotten that. Now that was fourteen
he must be twenty-three or -four
I'VE were talking about Tom," Dad went
on, when suddenly Jake quit his moaning
and opened his eyes. He looked at us
Charley and me. After moment he spoke:
Boys, he said, I'm not a-goin' to make it -
I'm about to go. An want you to do me a
favor. Will you do it for me, Charley?'
What is it?' Charley asked. There's letter
behind the clock Jake said. I want you to
take it to the sheriff. want you to take it
now
Charley got the letter, in dirty yellow
envelope, and went outside. Jake waited until
he heard his car leave Then he looked at me-
He was dying right then, but he grinned -
that mean, crafty grin of his, the way he
always grinned when he was scheming to do
somebody harm. 'Sam,' he says, even after
old Jake's dead an gone he's a-goin' to be
remembered long time - dam long time
- Sam, get that vinegar jug off the shelf, the
third from the end. Bust it - an what you
find is yours!
Il got the jug and shook it. There was
something in it, all right, but it wouldn't
come out swung the jug against the stove.
1t broke in a dozen pieces Jake had been
watching me, but now he sank back walked
over to the bed and spoke to him. He was still
grinning but he was dead"
Dad stopped speaking. Mother waited a
moment. Then, What was in the jug, Sam?"
Dads face grew tight. A little muscle
twitched in his jaw. Thirteen hundred dol
lars" he said Thirteen hundred in CASH.