The Wyandotte herald. (Wyandotte, Mich.) 1879-1943, 1942-05-01
A Better Land
[ Know
g
Bv FRED TOOLE
Mcclure syndicate-wNU service.)

bulged comfortably with neat wad
Of bills and a ticket to Miami as he
sauntered jauntily into Ben's Bar
becue.
lone hot beef, one Coffee" he
nodded to Ben, throwing open his
overcoat. And make it good, boy,
because it's the last one I'll have
until hit the sunny South"
South" Ben was startled as he
smacked the sizzling beef on to roll.
THE sunny South" Willie re-
peated, flashing thin-lipped smile.
"You might be going with me, Ben,
if you weren't so soft-hearted. No
handouts in my joint, Benny boy.
Give as little as you can and get
as much as you can for it-that's
my motto. And you see how 1t
works? I'll be lying on beach
while you're shoveling snow. Why
don't you get wise?"
Willie turned in surprise as a
chair cracked against the wall. He
hadn't noticed the tall, gaunt old
man who now rose hurriedly and
went TO the door, where ne stood
staring through the glass at the
bleak street, swept clear by the icy
blasts
What's eating him." Willie
asked, mystifed.
Ben flushed. Guess you put your
foot in it," he said, awkWardly.
Talking about handouts, mean.
And the South
Willie's sharp face hardened.
Another chiseler, eh?" he asked
grimly. Listen"
You listen" said Ben firmly
Maybe it'll take some Of the starch
out of you, tough guy. You know
what that old man makes? Fifteen
a week How'd you like to send
half of that to your sick daughter,
and live on the rest?"
Willie chuckled scornfully. Il
hear that one ten times a day"
Il happen to know it's true. "
Ben's eyes were somber. His
names Merrifeld He comes from
GtCl gid II IL "tlVll III lii'
daughter III bet he'd rather starve
On his old place. His heart and soul
are down there, Willie. Just hearing
MIN talk about the pines and cotton
woods. the swamps, the dunes, the
way the darkies sing" Ben
dropped his knife abruptly and went
to turn on the radio.
Willie looked thoughtfully at the
shabby figure by the door, but when
Ben returned his face was blank.
What did you give him tonight
he asked.
Barbecue and Coffee" said Ben
defantly.
Il thought SOL" Willie's grin was
hooking Don't even know how to
treat his kind. III show you,
Benny boy, and let it be lesson tC
you!"
And before Ben could protest,
Willie had gone TO Merrifield
Pardon me, sir; understand you're
from the South" he said easily
I'm going down that way myself,
and l wonder if you'd join me in q
little-er-farewel repast?"
Merrifed bowed gravely. "a
pleasure, Mr."
Ben introduced them, and took
Willie's casual order for two steak
dinners. You're going south, sir?"
That's right" said Willie
Miami. l need vacation"
Merrifeld nodded courteouSly
I'm sure you do. The South is the
place for rest-and peace" He
went on to talk about his home, re-
strained emotion in his voice. Even
Ben, tending the sizzling steaks
could feel it.
The music from the radio rose &c
a gleeful Shrek, then ended; and
the program followed that Merri-
field loved. Mellow strains filled the
little restaurant, and all at once the
things the old man had been talking
about were there: Peace and rest
-cottonWoodS, the scent of pines
swamps, the darkies' songs. And g
rich vibrant bass began to sing.
Gone are the days when my
nGdIl was yOullS dIlO Sdy,
Gone are my friends from the
cotton fields away :"
Mortified fell silent. He sat gaz-
ing out the Window-gaZing into
Georgia, into the past, as the rich
voice carried them all away.
-. to better land know -
And then Willie laughed harshly
and rose, shattering the spell. THAT
reminds me-Tm going south my.
self. Why don't you go back &c
Georgia, if you like it so much?
hear you've got sick kid there"
Merrifeld stiffened. The far.
away look in his eyes vanished. tC
be replaced by wretchedness. But
Willie went on tauntingly: My train
stops over in Atlanta. III give
Georgia your regards.
The old mans head dropped; he
didn't even notice the bump Willie
gave him as he buttoned his expen'
| sive coat with a sWagger.
Ben followed Willie to the door
"You meant to hurt him" he &C
cused. to break his heart!
didn't know anyone could be so low. >
That's the way treat his kind,
Willie snapped defensively.
He walked fast. He was smart
~ o. 81