The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-06-24
A Broad Hint.


miles of sea. from sheppey cliffs to South
end. They smoked two pipes apiece owe
the situation in China. and two more owe
the decay of the mercantile marine. Dur
ing the fifth pipe after tea, the ancient fe
male who did for the captain shuffie(
by with grunt. and toiled slowly acrost
the fields to her home in the village O
! Minister. The captain followed her re
treating figure with a shake of his head
GIFTS more contrary every day, she do.
he remarked, feelingly "Wus an wus"
"Wot you want" said Brother Jack, 'i
a wife"
The captain relit his pipe. and looked
thoughtfuly at trail of smoke struggling
between sky and sea.
Lady of Lorne five minutes late" he
observed. casually.
81 s'pose now," enquired Jack persist
emily. you've some one in your eye?"
Il won't say admitted Bill. but
might ave"
Keeps baccy shop?"
You don't mean to say as people as
| been talkin'i"
"Talkin'." retorted his brother. wen
you gives me a couple O. pound O. baccy.
| orl in 'arf-ounce bits! Wot's the need O.
talkin'?"
| The captain sighed as one confronted
with an insoluble problem.
You goes in." continued Jack. waggiug
the stem Of his long clay pipe in admoni-
ton. lin the mornin'. an as 'alf an
ounce" The captain nodded. AN in the
| afternoon an as another" The captain
growled assent AN in the evenn' an
as one more"
Sometimes two" he said. solemnly.
That ere big chest wot came off the
saucy Jane is most full already. You'll
ave to set up shop yourself soon II you
don't stop it,
low am l goin' to stop it? That's the
pint" Jack smiled the superior smile Of
twice-married wisdom.
''Harsk 'er wen she'll ave the chest
moved up to the shop?"
"S'pose she WON'T"
Then she won't. There's others"
"S'pose,' asked the captain as one who
puts an abstract argument. las l was set
on err"
More reason to settle it.
"Ay; but not all at onst," said the cap
tain, artfully i've bin leadin up to it."
low long,"
"a matter O. two year" Jack laughed
scornfully.
Some men," he stated. would ave
married a dozen gals in two year"
"Ay," said the captain, obviously, "des-
say they would. "P'r'aps / might give 'er
int. II 1 knowed 'ow."
IVY don't you send 'er somethink out
of the gardin? few flowers
"'Ain't got none; only vegetables"
To.
ishin'."
"Ay, with a bit O. pork. If 'ad a pig
now Fs1
But you amt"
NO" He sighed That's where it isl
They smoked another couple of pipes in 81
lence .
well. mate" said Jack, II must be
goin' So long"
80 long. Jack"
Bill watched his brother till he had gone
over the hill. Then he walked indoors with
an air of resolution. "Marrers an peas"
he muttered, 'it shall be-
Then he brushed himself carefully, and
set out with a jaunty air to the village,
where the widow Riley kept smart little
shop in which tobacco, sweetstuffs. and
penny novelties predominated. After a
few remarks upon the weather. he invest
ed in his usual half ounce. and repaired to
the Waterloo for his usual whole pint.
Then he returned for another half ounce.
Gust for the mornin." he explained
"Lor' captain. you don't love nothink
like your smoke! said the widow, archly.
She was nice looking. round faced wild
ow. and she had very pleasant smile.
Don't you think that, Mrs. Riley" said
the captain, with sudden holiness. IF
was to tell you wot liked best you'd new
er believe me-"
"Oh. go on. captain!" said the widow
with a laugh. But the captains courage
fed and took him with it.
Might most think" he muttered with
awesome delight. "as she knowned wot
was in my mind to say"
Next morning. when the ancient Mrs.
Grummidge had gone down to the coast
guards houses for gossip. the captain
cut couple of vegetable marrows and
picleed few pecks of peas. He added
gallon of potatoes. and packed them care
fully in big basket. Then he hailed
daft Tommy. who was busy frightening the
crows from Farmer Jackson.s field.
Hi, Tom. my mani" he called. Like
to earn pint?"
"Yus.' said Tom, grinning.
Then take this ere to Mrs. Riley at
the shop. with my compliments, d'yo see."
Tom looked doubtful.
Who'll scare the birds?" he asked.
"Oh-er-I WILL" said the captain.
Look sharp"
"Yus." Tom gazed lovingly at the vege-
tables. "Wot be they WORTH" he enquired,
touching the marrows.
"A matter o ninepence." said the cap
tain. boldly.
And t'others?''
THE peas be better'n they're sellin at
sixpence in the town." stated the captain
proudly. an taters. too"
LORI" said crazy Tom: and off he ran,
leaving the captain waving his red hand
kerchief wildly at the marauding crows.
Tom was a long time gone and the cap
tain found the scarecrowing rather warm
work. He had an uncomfortable feeling
that the occasional passers-by were laugh
ing at him. and Mrs. Grummidge told him
frankly that he was "hacting like horn
hijiot!" He had muttered several nautical
prayers to himself before Tom returned
with an empty basket.
You amt let none on em settler" he
asked. anyiously. Tom was an artist In his
profession.
mo. no! What did she say?''
TOO dear" said Tom. briefly. AN SO
they all said; but
What" reared the captain.
400 dear. Did best OF could for zee. |
Two and thruppence the lot: an spent my
tuppence: an 'ere's the rest" The cap
tain grabbed the handful of coppers ard |
rushed into his dwelling like a whirlwind |
"Cap'n be crazier than Oi!' said Tom
with chuckle. An If e knowed Oh got |
two-an' six and kept the rest. Ho. no. hot
That afternoon the captain bought four
half ounces before he completed his ex-
PLANTATION to the widow She YVES so good
about it that he felt he must do
Moreover her hand touched his