years he had what he
calls a keyster, a metal box with lock and key where he keeps paper
money. He is not a miser; he pays bills promptly and gives generously.
The keyster was never hidden. It might be left on the table or mantel
or, because of its weight, it might be used as a door prop. So far as
I know, no one ever cheated him, and surely no one had the nerve to
try to take it by force.

"Grandmother died before I was born. After her death, and while Father
was setting up business over here, the Craigs moved in with Grandaddy.
They were young people, brother and sister, Joe and Myrah, and they
have been there ever since. Now just who the Craigs are I do not know.
There is an old rumor among the cow hands that Grandaddy was paying
off some sort of an old romantic debt when he took them in. It must
have been a far-flung romance, for the Craigs reputedly came from up
in the Wind River district.

"At any rate there they are. Myrah is a good housekeeper and has been
a good caretaker of an aged man. Joe was never a cow man. He has a
crippled hand. In his young days he roamed the country as a hunter and
trapper. He cuts the wood, builds the fires, and runs the errands;
just a lackey boy, and is still just that.

"When Father came to Omaha this last time, Grandaddy came over here
occasionally. He would bring the keyster and pay the bills. Finally,
as Father's stay was prolonged, I persuaded Grandfather to headquarter
over here. I fixed up the front room for his convenience. He seems
contented with the fireplace and Morris chair. I could have gotten
along all right but the matter of finances bothered me. With the banks
closed, we have little money available. Even if we had a considerable
sum, I wouldn't know where to keep it. A cupboard or desk seemed an
insecure place and my financial experience has been limited to a
little money purse with small change and probably only one bill. Just
now, Grandfather's keyster is the Rock of Gibraltar, the financial
prop that is sustaining the whole structure. But what about this prop?
How strong is it? Will it outlast the depression? I don't know. I
doubt if Father would know, if he were here. He and Grandaddy might
exchange quips or gibes over the matter of sales or production but
they didn't broadcast as to funds on hand.

"Truly, I don't care to know how much money is in Grandaddy's keyster,
that's his affair. But it's irksome and tragic not to know one's
limitations. Tomorrow the