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Show 37 Stanley closed PELL'S, except for the basement where he again peddled a little whiskey and brewed his own beer, making just enough income to keep him drinking. He spent his days at the harbor or in the woods, and even when the taxes took his land he couldn't be stopped from walking on it. The only day he missed, until the day the taxes took PELL'S, was the day of the auction. Strong xxx ended up with half of Stanley's land. A grocer named Pelvus Short bought PELL'S and kept the name. Stanley moved his brewery to the basement of his home where he set up a cot and slept on the nights he made it home. Hxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx" He did not live in his house, he haunted it, xxihxXxxxxxxgxxxxxaxxxxxxxxaaxx that's what Bush told him and he agreed. "I'm practicing," said Stanley. He raised his hands about shoulder high, withered and xxxxxB stained with nicotine. He never shaved and never xxx2 grew a beard. His muscles hung on his bones like rotten fruit. Autumn came and Roosevelt ended the Prohibition on beer. Stanley went for walks in the rain on his old land. He watched the leaves change and caught a xaiax a cold for Thanksgiving. Helen brought his goose and dressing to him in the basement where he always ate, the only thing he gave to the upstairs anymore were his coughs and nightmares. He looked like a rag and Hxxxxxxax xxxx Bush told Frances and Helen xxx. that he wasn't their father anymore. Ifekn gave him the plate. He gave her heer. She kissed his head. "Don't kiss me," Stanley said. "Kiss the tax man. Kiss the milkman. Kiss somebody who can do you some good." "Bush said to come up," said Helen. Stanley raised his a hands about chest high, then brought them back to the plate on his lap. "Have some more beer." "No," said Helen. "Okay little Bush," said Stanley. "Go upstairs." Upstairs Helen and Frances and Bush and David thanked God for what they had left, for Roosevelt who Bush voted for, xxx Zi4 for little Stan and Jon doing so well at school even if they didn't have money to come home for Thanksgiving. "Maybe Christmas," said Bush. Stanley caught pneumonia. Liquor was ix legalized. Little Stan and Jon got to come home for Christmas a week early because Stanley was dead. |