Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1900-03-23
. N summer morning a young

Aeilo"' solheWnat SnaDDlly dressed, and
as he walked he carelessly took stock
of his surroundings.
Near the bottom of the row n win
dow was open, and by geranium that
bloomed in a pot, the first and only
flower he had seen. a girl was leaning
lightly on her elbow.
In the opposite doorway a woman,
with a red face and brandishing a
broom in her hand, was barring the
entrance against herculean man in an
oily frock.
Il Ak ag'in, John Wade" shouted he
of the oily, "if you're a-going to sea?"
An l tell you ag'in, skipper" re-
piled a dogged voice from the interior
Il amt a-goin' to sea-"
Then" cried the giant, wildly.
what am to do? Here's the vessel
ready to sail, an you a-sulkin'. But
as sure as my name is Bill Thompson
I'll police ye."
The girl at the window, who seemed
used to such scenes, smiled. Looking
up at her, and seeing for the first time
that she was in Adeep mourning, the
young man smila iso. SfA
Am / of any use?" he said tSthe
wearer of the oily. Il want jo6.'
IF you're ready an willin' my lad,"
he said, you're of use. But if you
amt, you amt. Dye want a berth 2"
Il want everything" answered the
young man in low tone. I'm home
less and penniless. But I'm a lands
man."
That amt a bit O. consequence.
What dye say? VIII We go2 Tis for
eight weeks"
Il don't care if it's for eight years.
There's nothing to stop me here"
Come on, then" cried the delighted
fisherman. But, stop-what's your
maine, my lad"
John Smith," was the answer; and
his hesitation escaped the skipper.
well, Smith. for fear of accidents
some one had better take your moley.
Who'll We leave II with?"
The young man again looked ND at
the window, at the sweet, pure face
above him. The gaze of the rough sea
giant beside him followed his glance,
"Oh, see," he exclaimed; you're
goin' to take it, miss. Well, you know
where to go. Old Tom Price Is the
owner an the name of the vessel Is
the Saucy Lass. Come on, Smith, no
more hankyin'. Your sweetheart 'ull
take your money" And he seized the
newly shipped by the arm.
mo, no." She cried, in confusion. 81
do not know the gentleman. IL"
But already Smith, with the hand of
the skipper on his arm had been hur-
ried out of earshot, and before she
could reach the door the two had van
ished down the row.
Eight weeks later young man,
bronzed and hearty, stood on Var
mouth quay. 1t was John Smith. His
sea rig had given place to decent suit
of clothes, and he seemed pondering
which way to go.
At last he wandered away to the
seashore Finding a spot where pale
blue violets lay low among the sea
grass, he flung himself down and pulled
out an envelope. 1t contained a post
office order wrapped in sheet of note
paper, and on this was written "Kath-
arine Perry" The amount was the
sum due to him on his pay card
In had hnan 10 hn \
her gone. Yet here was his money left
by her in this form.
On his homeward path he stopped to
buy morning paper. 1t was the rule
at Yarmouth to allow news time to
mature before 1t was distributed, and
Smith was handed the Standard with
short bark. Quite undisturbed he
began to look 1t over. Suddenly he
caught his breath; his gaze was riveted
on an advertisement that read thus:
George Neal is earnestly requested
to communicate with Messrs. Furness
e. Wapp, solicitors, Lincoln's Inn Fields
where he will hear something to his
advantage. Any person knowing of
sAiS VI lhC culu ~. dIlU
communicating the same to the above
firm will be suitably rewarded"
Before noon that day John Smith had
shaken the dust of Yarmouth from his
feet and was on his way to London. AS
he burst into the office carefully
dressed old gentleman wearing pail
Of gold-rimmed glasses stepped for
ward TO greet him. This he did by
nearly shaking his arm off.
"Why, my dear George" he cried
show glad l am to see you. We hav,
been advertising for you all over the
country. How is IL you haven't seer
our advertisement before?"
In few words the young man TOLD