Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1893-03-17

sonal appearance in one terse sentence
"red hair, freckles and a snub-nose;'
and no amount of reasoning could con-
vince her she was not undeni.bly plain,
or-as she unhesiratingly affirmed
lawful homely."
Il don't believe it's polite 10 stare at
ladies. even if they can't see you," sud
denly thought Tad. And vaguely won
dering at his own newly-awakensd
sense of propriety, Tad settled back in
his coy nook and. pulling out his three
papers. began running over the Lost
columns, but his search was in vain.
Watches had been lost, diamonds
stolen. gold-heafied canes taken by mis-
take and pet poodles lured from their
homes-for the recovery of each and all
of which rewards were offered. with the
suggestive mo questions asked" as an
extra inducement for their return.
But there was no reference in any OF
the papers TO "a small alligator-skiD
sachel, with nickel mountings, left by
mistake in the waiting-room of the
Broad Street depot" or words to tha.
effect; and Tad began 10 wonder what
he had best do next. He could not ad-
vertise under the head Of Found. " for
five cents was all the money Tad had
in the world; so, finally, he was forced
to the conclusion that all he could do
was-to use his own unspoken thought
Ito hang on spell longer"
1t was much harder to decide what
he should do with himself. The bag
had some one to look out for it, but
there was no one to look out for Tad.
! And, for the first time in his short life.
Tad felt a feeling Of something like
homesickness creep over him.
A familiar voice on the wharf, close
10 the pile of cotton bales, aroused Tad
very suddenly from his reyerie.
ats that JonesI' he excitedly e1-
claimed, though under his breath, as
be peered down at the speaker. II was
indeed that ingenious gentleman, as.
lifting his hat with winning politeness.
he had accosted Miss Polly, who was
evidently impressed at such a display
Of courtesy.
May l ask, miss" said Jones, call
ing up his most agreeable smile.
whether you have seen shabby-look-
ing boy. carrying a small alligator-skin
sachel. anywhere in this vicinity with
In half an hourp"
"Why, yes-he was down here awhile
ago. but guess he's gone uptown
again." replied Polly. wondering what
the stranger wanted of the boy who
called himself Tad Thorne.
MIR. Jones looked sadly disappointed
at Polly's answer. while Tad. winking
1t himself, chuckled silently. What
Mr.. Jones might have said is uncer-
tain, for just then a third party hove in
sight-to use nautical phrase-who.
Tad felt by sort of instinct, must be
Captain Jethro Flagg. He was tre-
mendously stout man, with iron-gray
hair and a rim of white whiskers which
made a sort of halo about his fat,
weather-beaten face. The blue shirt,
| pea-jacket, canvas trowsers, oil-skin
hat and heavy sea-boots which he wore
left no doubt as to the nature of his
calling.
"Now, then. Ephr'm,' SAID Captain
Flagg, in a voice like trumpet with a
| bad cold, Gs. turning about, he adj
dressed a long-legged youth who
brought up the rear with n heavy
basket, ''heave ahead lively with them
stores, my hearty, or you won't fetch
the schooner till dinner-time. Thus
admonished, Ephraim muttered some
thing inaudible, and, reaching the edge
Of the wharf in breathless condition,
set the basket down with bang.
while the Captain greeted Miss Polly
with a jovial wink.
Haven't got to put back for nothing
this time, Polly" ho triumphantly an
nounced, unmindful OF the presence OF
seemingly directed at the little pcnnant
which floated from the schooner's top
mast head. "The stores is all in the
basket, the new iib is coming down this
afternoon, and I've got my freight
money along of my clearance papers
| I'LL III up % hshei
japanned tin case as he spoke. For, be-
ing very absent-minded. though con-
stantly ruminating in his great respon-
sibility as master of the coastine
schooner MARY j." Captain Jethrc
Flagg usually forgot some part Of hi:
uptown errands, and was invariably
sent back therefor by practical Polly
as n sort of atonement for his sins oi
omission.
Polly nodded approvingly at hel
fathers assertion, while Tad, as an un-
observed but interested on-looker, no
ticed that, at the mention Of freight
money, Mr.. Jones' eye fell from tn,
topmast head to the japanned tin cast
In Captain Flagg's hand, and briefly
rested thereon. Suddenly producing ,
notebook from his pocket he begar
| writing on q blank leaf, occasionally
glancing thoughtfully at the ''MaryJ., y
as though noting down brief descrip
ton Of her build and rig. TO the evident
uneasiness Of Captain Flagg, who re
garded Mr.. Jones and his little bool
with ill-concealed suspicion.
BEG pardon. Captain" said the lat
ter. looking up with easy familiarity
as Ephraim and George Washington
succeeded by their united efforts in get
ting the stores safely on board. "bui
I'm Giobe reporter. Any thing cx
J tr'ord'nary or unusual last voyage
that would make us an item, ch?''
He held his head little one side a
he spoke. and tapped his teeth with th'
end Of his pencil in such n business-lik,
manner that the Captains face cleared
| at once.
"Extraord'naryr thoughtfully re
peated Captain Flagg, leaning vi
against cotton bale, and inviting hi:
companion by nod to do the same
"well. lcmme overhaul the log a bit
an see. Polly" eievating his voic,
for the benefit Of hi daughter. who wa.
regarding tho representative Of tn,
press with admiring awe, ''what night
was IL we lost Sam overheard, whilst ",
was hove 10 Off Thatcher's Islan'P'
"a week ago last Thursday, y
promptly returned Polly, with n shade
Of sadness In her tone.
"Ah, indeedr' returned Mr.. Jones