Jasper County Democrat, Volume 9, Number 3, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 April 1906 — Page 3

A MODERN PRODIGAL

By Louise J. Strong

Mrs. Spencer was hanging up her sunbonnet as her son came into the kitchen with the milk. I “You’re out calling early, mother,” he laughed. “I wanted to see Mr. Wilson before he left home,” she replied evasively. "Won’t the tramp come in to breakfast?” Indicating a gray haired man, who stood by the pump drying his face on a red cotton handkerchief. “No; said he’d take it on the porch as he did his supper.” “Most of them are not so modest, sleeping in the barn and eating on the porch when they could have had a bed and come to the table.” There was a sneer in her tone, unusual to her kindly nature. “And it "isn’t always safe to put them In the barn,” she added. “Oh, he seems a pretty decent old fellow”— Her short, discordant laugh interrupted him an instant. John stared, then went on, “He doesn’t use tobacco, and he wanted to do something for his meals.” Mrs. Silencer sniffed ‘and added to the tray of food she had fixed a cup of coffee, into which she dropped two lamps of sugar. “Got to take it as you fix it whether he likes it or not, hey ?” John commented, smiling. The tramp seated himself on the edge of the porch in front of the open door, whence he glanced furtively and frequently at Mrs. Spencer in her place opposite him. She ate little, with an absent, perturbed manner, and return ed the glances with a curious expression in her eyes. John and his wife chatted vivaciously, endeavoring to dissipate the painful thoughts it was evident the sight of the old tramp had aroused in their mother’s mind. She scarcely noticed

“I MIGHT HAVE BEEN MARRIED THIS MINUTE.”

them and presently, with little Sammy In her arms, went out on to the front porch. “Too bad we took the old fellow in,” Jojm muttered. “Makes her think of”— Lizzie nodded understanding^. As her son came out on his way to the store Mrs. Spencer put the boy down and took a roll of bills from her bosom and handed it to him, saying, “Here is the money for the interest, Johnny." “Why, mother, who loaned it to yon? I couldn't borrow it!” His eyes glowed with relief. “I didn’t borrow it. I’ve sold the tombstone.” She put up a hand as he would Jjave spoken. “You know, Mr. Wilson wanted it when his father died. I sold it to him this morning for threequarters what it cost just as It stands. I never ought to have put It up with no certainty that he was dead. It comes good now, though, for the interest, what I got for it.” “Why, It’ll put me right on my feet!” John cried. “But you oughtn’t to have done It, mother. You thought so much of father’s stone.” “I was a fool about it when he might be alive for all I knew.” she said, with self contempt. “I made myself the laughingstock. What more do you want?” she demanded suddenly of the tramp who had come around the house and paused as if to speak. “I—l thought I might get a job. You said you had a grocery store,” looking at John. “I’d work for my keep till”— “It isn’t likely lie’d want an old tramp about,” Mrs. Spencer interposed brusquely. “No, I suppose not,” the old fellow assented and scuffled dejectedly down the path. Mrs. Spencer watched him a few moments, her face pale and lips twitching;. then she commanded harshly: “Samuel Spencer, come back here! You knew if you got In once I couldn’t let you go off that way! I'm an old fool, Johnny, I suppose, but I can’t bear to have your father straggling about the country like that, sleeping anywheres and eating any old thing. It isn’t fair to you, son, but we’ll have to try, to keep him.” “Father!” John and Lizzie cried together. “I used to expect It at first,” Mra. Spencer hurried on,' “but when I put

V'; ' . ‘ w * Starr Pianos - 1 Tvs r <• 'fr v* * WM 4 •

TARR Pianos are sold direct from the factory —that means that you pay only ONE profit in the purchase price of *■' ■ 1 the instrument you buy —the very moderate protit that is necessary to the maintenance of the business, Whother you buy from the central warcrooms here, or from any of our agents through the State, your piano does not cc r.e to you through the hands of two or three jobbers and middlemen with a corresponding number of profits tacked on the original price. Starr pianos are marked at the lowest figures that will cover factory cost and a small profit. YOU will not be asked more than some one e'se pays. All prices are in plain figures. No one can get a Starr piano for less than the price you read on the tags, beause to sell them for less than they are marked would be like trading dollars.

Starr Merit Makes Our Selling Method Significant One-price, plain-figure, direct-from-the-factory methods of piano selling can furnish no argument for the purchase of a poor piano; but they add the final inducement to the purchase of a GOOD piano. Starr pianos are built on honor —of the best materials, by the best workmen, by the best known methods. In choosing materials, in carrying out ideas, in employing artists and artisans, we consider cost last of all —the first consideration is the WORTH of every idea, every piece of material that is embodied in the piano. STARR PIANOS WERE GIVEN THE HIGHEST AWARD AT THE ST. LOUIS EXPOSITION FOR SUPERIORITY OF TONE-QUALITY AND DURABILITY OF CONSTRUCTION. The exquisite tonal attributes, and the perfect action of the Starr, make possession a delight; the substantiality of the piano’s build assures the permanence of satisfaction. The Starr Piano is not an experiment —it is the result of more than a third of a century’s untiring efforts and development. Put one in your home, and you will realize the wealth of pleasure a good instrument can bring to the entire household. Our new ART PIANO BOOK will be sent you free upon application. Write for our Price Schedule.

PIANOS may be bought on our easypeyment plan ii desired. The S'.arr Plana Company’s 03e-prke, plain-figure business me hod is a guarantee ol the genuineness o! the bargains. Ever; piano in this sale bears two price tags thawing the original price, the other the reduced price. Compare them lor yourself.

op the stone I really thought he waß dead, it had been so long. And I might have married and been a bigamist!” she flared at the tramp, who stood in a downcast silence. “I might have been married this minute. I could have been. What then?” “If you'd been married again, Harriet—l didn’t think you would, though—but If you had I’d never let you know I was alive. And I don’t mean to burden you. There’s lots of work In me yet,” he quavered. “You don't look it, and there was never any too much at your best, but of course you’ve got to stay. I guess he can do errands and mind the boy, Johnny." John shook hands heartily with his unfamiliar father, whom he could not remember, Introduced his wife and exhibited the child named for his Isupposed defunct grandfather. “You’ve got to clean up and shave and have that shag of hair clipped. There’s some of your old duds upstairs, decent ones." Mrs. Speucer laid down the law, then turned to John again. “I expect It’ll raise a great racket, selling the tombstone and all, and I couldn’t have sold it If I hadn’t recognized him last night, Johnny. Dear knows what folks’ll say.” She flashed scorn at the prodigal, who drooped shamefacedly, but with a twinkle in his eyes. “I’ve got some things at the depot,” be explained meekly when she stopped.. “Things! I didn’t know tramps carried baggage,” she snorted. “I’m not a professional tramp; only In the way of running from Dan to

— ; ‘ M i M M n ■ i ii i i i ii m i ; 1 ■ , ; ;

The Starr Piano Company One Profit —One Price Plain Figures INDIANAPOLIS.

Beersheba. That was always my failing, you know, Harriet. But I’m get ting”— “Tou’re getting too old and worn out to stand It, else you likely wouldn’t have come home now,” she Interrupted a little bitterly. “You always had a good heart, Harriet,” he said gratefully. “I would go that last time, but I thought I was In for a good thing In mining out there, and when everything failed— Yes, I know, everything always seemed to fall with me,” he Interjected in answer to a look on her face. “When everything failed I was ashamed even to write, and I kept going from one thing to another, thinking I’d do better, till the first I knew I was getting old and gray and realized that I’d left you to tug along and raise Johnny alone. I’d never come back only”— “Only you couldn’t do anything else,” she put In again, unable immediately to forgive the long desertion. • “And to think of your slaving and putting up a tombstone for me and giving the little shaver my- name! I’ve treated you dog mean, Harriet,” his voice trailed, shakily. Into silence. “Well, what’s done’s done,” she said, regarding him more kindly. “I don’t know sb we can help the way we’re made, and I don’t suppose It’s always been easy for you any more than for us. We’ll make the best of it, won’t we, Johnny? Your father can Job about enough for his keep.” “Yes, that’s so, father.” John laid his hand on the old man’s shoulder. “We’ll soon be Jogging along as if

From Factory to Home

Nine Bargains in Used Pianos Besides those quoted below we have about twenty pianos of various makes that we offer at exceptionally low prices. Call and see them or write for descriptions. Starr any, originally r< >0; sal* price $590 Ballet & Davis was s+so; now $l9O Starr a ' yle ’ $325 Knabe Bty,e \. S2OO Bazelton .$270 Remington &r ,aUy *^. (u,edi $155 Chickering Knabe $lO5 Richmond n now* 3 *:.!.“ ed . ) :..s2oo Piano Players J. b n r gL«f p rom 8 575t05145

you’d never been away.” “Bless your hearts, so you will take In the poor old good for nothing tramp I” The bent shoulders straightened, he sprang nimbly up the steps, seized Mrs. Spencer aud kissed her soundly In spite of her shocked resistance, then grasped John’s hand; “You didn’t let me finish about coming back, Harriet. I got over being a failure. I went up to the Klondike and caught up vglth the luck I’d always been chasing, and—and Johnny, boy, you can buy out the whole little towir If you want to, and Mrs. Spencer, ma’am, let’s begin over again with the wedding trip we missed the first time.”

Save Your Eye* by Wearing Diamond Lenses. None genuine without trade mark on every lens. Absolutely clear and free from every defect Accurately ground and centered, used from minute crystal pebbles, have no eqnal, being the most perfect lens made. I control the sale of these lenses in Jasper and Newton counties. Dr. Chas. Vick, Eyesight Specialist. Offioe in C. H. Vick's fruit store, next door to express office, Rensselaer, Ind. Eggs: White S. C. Brown Leghorn and White Leghorn. 75 cts per 15. F. M. Parker. Phone 217 Rensselaer, Ind,

mHE Starr piano factory at Richmond,' Ind. is the largest and most completely equipped factory in the world devoted exclusively to the manufacture of highgrade pianos. Eight acres of floor space are used in the factory wherein is carried a stock of more than 5,000 pianos in course of construction. The lumber yards cover thirty-three acres, and with a dry kiln capacity of more than a half-million feet, give unequaled facilities for the drying of lumber. All purchases are made on a strictly cash basis, and we secure thereby the most favorable concessions and the greatest values for our patrons, Our system of supervision and inspection is the most rigid, and no work is permitted to leave the factory unless it is adjudged of the highest class.

FOR EXCHANGE. Seven large lots and good small house, well and outbuildings, well located in Koachdale, Ind.; clear, valued at *1,700. and property in this city valued at *1,500. Will trade for land or merchandise, 142 acres pasture land, clear, in Monroe county, lnd., eight miles of Bloomington; want clear property or land here. 110 acre farm, well improved, in New York, owner wants property or land here. Two houses in Mathews, lnd., and *2.000 in' cash for small farm; will assume some. 80 acres, black land, improved; want Dakota land. hotel, doing good business, clear; prlce*sooo. Also two good residence properties. clear; owner will trade either or all, and assume on good farm. Good flouring mill in good condition, clear; owner wants farm, will assume; 820 acres In Wichita county, Kan., clear, for land here; owner will assume or pay cash difference. 880 acres clear. In Kearney county, Kan., for land or town property, 30 acres improved, well located; sell cheap. We have on hand stocks of merchandise from *B,OOO to *IO,OOO, hotels, flouring mills, livery stocks and town properties to trade for land. The Original. Foley St Co., Chicago, originated Honev and Tar as a throat and lung remedy, and on account of the great merit and popularity of Foley's Honey and Tar many imitations are offered for the genuine. These worthless Imitations have similar soundiDg names. Beware of them. The genuine Foley's Honey and Tar Is in a yellow package. Ask for it and refuse any substitute, It is the best remedy for coughs and colds.' A. F. Long,

mmKmmmmmammm

WE will ship pianos anywhere to reliable persons; we guarantee that the instrament you select will be exactly, what we represent it in every particular. A handsome scarf and a modern stool accompany each of the sale-priced Instruments.

Wabash Special Bargains. X BOLES OF THE MYSTIC SHRINE, LOS ANGELES, MAY 7-11, ’OO. Tickets ou sale April 24 to May 4, inclusive. Final return limit July 31. Liberal stopovers. Tickets will be sold either to Los Angeles or San Francisco. Rate $02.50. NATIONAL EDUCATIONAL ASSOCIATION, SAN FRANCISCO, JULY 9-13, 'OO, VIA WABASH. Tickets on sale June 24 to July 0. inclusive. Final return limit Sept. 15, "00. Liberal stopover allowed in both directions. Usual baggage allowance. Tickets good going one direct route and returning any other direct route. Side trips from San Antonio to City of Mexico and return $25.00, and to other Mexican points at correspondingly low rates. Grand Canyon, Ariz., and return $0.50 from Williams. Reduced rates from Los Angeles and San Francisco to poins within the State for tins occasion. Rate—Lafayette. $04.00: Delphi, $06.00; Logansport, $05.80; Peru, $00.30. TRIPLE DAILY THROUGH PULLMAN SLEEPING CAR SERVICE TO NEW YORK, First-class rate $ 18.06; second-ciass sl7 00 via Wabash. Both 'phones. THROUGH PULLMAN SLEEPING CAR SERVICE TO BOSTON. First-class rate $20.05; second-class $18.40 via Wabash. The Wabash offers their patrons excellent free reclining chair cars as well as ladies' high back day coach service. Daily tourist sleeping coach service via the Wabash from St. Louis. “To answer questions is a pleasure."' Ask them. Address, THOS. FOLLEN. Lafayette, Ind. Paaa. A Tick, Agt.