Ellsworth American., 1903-12-30
~e~eeeeeAe~e~eee>ss

on the veranda rail- swinging bis slscf
legs be could not remember time in
the whole course of his eleven years
experience In this vale of tears when lie
had been so utterly alone.
Three days before his father and
mother had started for Ohio to attend
the wedding of DIR. Todd's fayorife
niece. and Clifford worthington. given
his own choice of accompanying them
or remaining at home with Aunt Eli
nor. had chosen the latter course.
As a general thing, TO stay at home
with Aunt Elinor in charge Of the
household was about as near paradise
as one could hope to get Aunt Elinor
was young and pretty and full OF fun
and. moreover. understood you. She
wasn't forever saying. Clifford, IL Is
time for your nap" or Clifford what
a dirty little boyl Go and cleanse your
self at once" She would go TO walk
with you in the pine woods. and she
didn't mind how many pine needles
you threw over her. She would go out
in the bay with you in the napbtha
launch. and she could run the engine
as well as Tarpey. She would read
most delightful stories tsn you from
book with red and gold binding, and
she knew just when you were hungry
and smuggled you plate of tarts from
the cook In Clifford Worthington
Todd's eleven-year-old mind Aunt Eli
nor heid first place. yet as he sat on the
veranda rail he gave utterance to his
most lurid oath. a prolonged and dole
ful 'Oh. gee!'
Yesterday afternoon schooner yacht
with glistening black hull and trim
white sails had come into the bay and
dropped anchor opposite the Todd cot
tage, A gig had put out from her, and
a tall gentleman had disembarked at
the little pier which ran out from the
Todds' back lawn. This gentleman had
seemed to know Aunt Elinor very well.
She had introduced him to Clifford
worthington as Mr.. Caveriy.
The three had sat on the veranda-
and Mr.. CayegIy had taken great inter
est in Clifford worthington's converse
ton. When Mr.. Cayerly discovered
that Clifford Worthington was pos
sessed of some guinea pigs and that the
said pigs were roaming about some
where. perhaps even as far away as
the woods at the end of the road, Mr..
Caveriy evinced a sudden interest in
guinea pigs. He gave him 80 cents to
catch them and bring them to the We
randa for inspection.
Clifford had had a wild chase after
them. but finally. after he had brought
them back. struggling and squealing
and himself perspiring. he had bumped
into Mr.. Cayerly. who was making
across the back lawn TO the pier. At
the corner of the house stood Aunt
Elinor. her face white and what looked
like tears in her eyes.
AS Clifford Worthington reached her
he heard her call: tom! oh, Toni"
But Mr. Caverly strode straight TO the
pier and was rowed to the yacht. Aunt
Elinor had gone upstairs. and Clifford
worthington had spent a stupid after
noon with the Seymour boys. which
ended in fight.
This morning had been no better
Breakfast was sorry affair, with Aunt
Elinor sitting opposite, choking with
every mouthfui of toast and dabbiing
her eyes with her handkerchief. After
breakfast she had said:
II think you'll have to do without me
this morning, old chap"
Her tone had forced cheerfulness
about ii more doleful than groans
Still dabbling her eyes. she went up
stairs, and Clifford heard her lock the
door of her room. 1t was all very dis
heartening
For a time he sat on the yeranda.
Then he decided to seek Tarpey. Tar
pey was an eighteen year-old mulatto
gardener, man of all work and engineer
Of the launch. Clifford found him prop
ped up in the shade of the boat house
reading some paper covered literature.
Tarpey rose as he saw Clifford. made
some remare about fixing the pansy
bed and strobe leisurely away, leaving
the book behind. Clifford picked ii up
and began to read. 1t was filed with
the adventures of Blackboard. the pi-
rate, and his trusty lieutenant. Yard
arm Bill. 1t was bully reading, and by
lunch time Clifford had read the book
nearly through and was burning for
adventure.
Aunt Elinor came down to lunch with
very red eyes. She said they'd spend
the afternoon in the woods. but Clifford
said he had rather finish something he
was doing. Aunt Elinor looked re-
lieved.
After lunch he sought out Tarpey
and divuiged his scheme. Tarpey laugh
ed and secuted it. Then Clifford showed
him the half dollar Mr.. Caverly had do
mated for the chase of the guinea pigs.
and Tarpey succumbed
At 5 O'Clock the launch put out from
the pier and headed for the yacht. AT
the bow of the launch streamed black
flag with an attempt at skull and cross
bones on it, Two fantastic figures made
the crew. In the bow was Blackboard.