The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1899-12-15

lin was in No. As room, where ne
spent every evening talking to men of
his own ilk, emitting the common courte-
sizes of clubmen.
No. is a unique institution on the is
land of Nantucket. 1t derives it's name
from the fire engine which is its special
charge. 1t is an old hand engine and has
had it's nose put out of joint by the new
steamer which the town in fit of prodi-
gality purchased recently. Some people
say it is more ornamental than useful,
and it certainly does look pretty when it
goes through the old lanes.
No. is still in commission, just the
same, and, while it may be a little old
fashioned, if there is ever fire, which
is rare, the combination Of No. and No.
As men is hard to beat.
But there is a good deal more to No.
than that. 1t has risen to point
where it yields great social and political
Importance. Candidates for Office like
to call No. As men their friends. 1t is
far from being Sunday school, and the
common run Of the clergy would probably
not feel much at ease in the society of
it's members.
But this story does not deal with No.
rs affairs so much as with one Of its
members.
His companions noticed that Tim was
unusually silent this evening.
Billy Newcomb, who had happened to
be rabbit shooting upon Coatue when
Tim had taken on his cargo, had been
keenly interested in the adventure.
While others were seeking solicitously
for the cause of Tins silence he was
biding his time. All they had got out Of
Tim had expressed about as much as a
crows croak, but Billy got a rise.
'I'll tell you what's the matter with
Tim. He's in love-"
"Neverr' one declared. Tins the last
one!'
"Well, I'll bet you it is so, for 1 seen
him with that Hayward girl, scallopin.
today. So now!'
"Now, jest want to know" said an
other. "Well, we'll, if it's so, I'm glad O.
it. It's high time, Tim, an l wish you
WE'LL"
Others wished Tim we'll, too, so thor
oughly and increasingly that he had no
time to explain, if he had had words to
explain himself. which may we'll be
doubted.
He returned home to his mother early
that night and the next thing he went
to see Persis instead of going to No. 4.
He was received with a warmth that
brought the blood to his face and kept it
there for the rest of the evening.
The conversation was mainly devoted
to the past season and the prospects of
the next and the probable market quo
tations on scallops when Lent came.
It was only when Tim started to go
that he approached the subject of his Wis
it with trepidation that was plainly Wis
ible to Persis, as it might have been to
any one.
Il wonder" he began-that is, l was
thinkin sorter-that is, whether you'd
ever danced. Don't want to seem inquis-
tive, you know, only kinder thought I'd
like to know"
"Why, yes. Tim. can dance, an | like
to, what's more"
"Well, I'm glad-that is, l might be if
only Tins arms, in a series of ges-
lures not modelled after the Delsarte sys-
tenn, were vainly trying to help him ex-
press himself. You see," he continued,
! 1--WE No. boys have series O dances
every winter-that is, assemblies, we call
'em-an | kinder thought you might sort
err like to go?"
When he had at last sailed through his
difficulties of speech, Tim was standing
on one leg, and there was perspiration on
his brow.
"Why, yes; certainly I'd like to go.
You're real kind"
Tim quickly turned, opened the kitchen
door and departed without even saying
good night.
Tim was himself again when he went
to No. 4 the next evening. He showed no
resentment at the gibes which were aimed
OF him ap6 thoC fin l1v Goa cod Ho Onlv
said, "You jest wait till the dances be-
GIN"
This they did, and there was not SOL
emn face in the hall when he entered it
the following week with Persis by the
hand.
It was happy winter for Tim, almost
the happiest he had ever known, and it
was not until summer came that he found
a fly in his ointment. There had been no
expressed understanding between the
pair, but then understandings are not al
ways put in words. It was only when
Tim and Persis misunderstood each other
that they approached the subject of their
relations with each other
1t happened when the summer season
had begun. Tim had appeared in a new,
trim surrey, and business was good, and
the world looked sweet and lovely to him.
But, however the extremely virtuous
may feel about it, jealousy is no respecter
Of persons. When Tim passed the Sea
View House, he always stretched his
neck and looked for Persis. Persis gen
orally saw him and waved and smiled.
The city people smiled, too, and thought
it was so pleasant to see a happy pair Of
lovers, even in humble life
But there were times when Persis did
not see Tim. They were not many, to
be sure, but enough to crush the life out
of him. That Persis could ever be seen
laughing and joking with a stranger and
not see him when he passed killed his
heart, summoned all the baseness in his
soul to the surface and at last made
him the sepulcher Of once happy ma
ture.
1t was all done in minute. He did
not often see Perss. but once in the mid
die Of the summer he met her when his
resentment was hot within him.
''See here. Persis," he began-and
speech came easy and without hesitation
-"seems to me you're sometimes pretty
IL l.