The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1900-04-05
Forming a Partnership

ON A summer morning young man
turned down Yarmouth row. He
was handsome fellow, somewhat shab-
biiy dressed, and as he walked he care
lessly took stock of his surroundings.
Near the bottom Of the row window
was open, and by q geranium that
bloomed in pot, the first and only
flower he had seen, girl was leaning
lightly on her elbow.
In the opposite doorway a woman
with red face and brandishing q
broom in her hand was barring the en-
trance against q herculean man in an
oily frock.
II AK you ag'in, John Wade" shouted
he of the oily, "if you're a-goin' to sea?"
"An' tell you ag'in, skipper, replied
adoggedvoice from the interior, II amt
a-goin' to sea-"
"Then," cried the giant, wildly, what
am to do? Here's vessel ready to
sail, an you a-sullhn'. But as sure as
my name is Bill Thompson I'll police
ye" a.
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 deep mourning, the
young man smiled also.
'Am 1 of any use?" he said, to the
wearer of the oily. II want job"
"Will We go? 'Tis for eight weeks"
II 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
name, 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 money.
Who'll ye leave it with %
The young man again looked up at the
window at the pure, sweet face above
him. The gaze Of the rough sea giant
beside him followed his glance.
"Oh, see," he exclaimed; you're 60
in to take it, miss. Well, you know
where to go. Old Tom Price is the own
er, 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 ont of enrshot, and before she could
reach the door the two had vanished
down the row.
Eight weeks later young man,
bronZed and hearty, stood on Yarmouth
quay. 1t was John Smith. His sea rig
had given place to n decent suit of
clothes, and he seemed pondering on
which way to go.
At last he wandered away to the sea-
shore. Finding a spot where pale blue
violets lay low among the sea grass, he
hung himself down and pulled out on an
envelope. 1t contained post office
order wrapped in a sheet of nete paper,
and on this was written Katharine
Perry" The amount was the sum due
to him on his pay card.
He had been to the house, but found
her gone. Yet here was his money left
by her in this form.
On the homeward path he stopped to
buy a morning paper. 1t was the rule
at Yarmouth to allow news time to ma
ture beforeit was distributed, and Smith
was handed the Standard with short
bark. Quite undisturbed he began to
look it over. Suddenly he caught his
breath; his gaze was riyeted on an ad-
vertisement that read thus:
George Neal is earnestly requested to
communicate with Messrs Furness &
Wapp solicitors, Lincoln's Inn Fields
Il xx.il haar t,rx ~.
tage. Any person knowing of the where
abouts Of the said g. N. and communicate
ing the same to the above firm will be suit
ably 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 careful
ly dressed old gentleman wearing a
pair of gold-rimmed glasses stepped
forward to greet him. This he did by
nearly shaking his arm off.
why. my dear George" he cried,
show glad am to see you! We have
been advertising for you all over the
country. How is it you haven't seen our
advertisement before?"
In a few words the young man told
his tale. The old solicitor listened with
much interest, then his face grew
grave.
$50 you have not heard the news, my
boy" be said. "Your uncle is dead"
"Deadl" repeated George Neal, sad
ly, "and we parted in anger merely be-
cause refused to follow the profession
he had chosen for me-"
II we thought oftener Of the king of
terrors there would be fewer quarrels," !"
said the lawyer, kindly, "but he. too,
was sorry; George. though when you
hear the rest you may think he took IN