Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1903-05-15
That significant action was not los,

That significant action was not lost
upon Captain Jim, and Annie, Tho
Wildly, saw it also. Each felt embar.
rassed. They were alone.
Annie eyed him closely, and under
her steady gaze Captain Jim began to
teel nervous, and at length looked fool.
lsh. In that state he spoke foolishly,
1or he asked, "be thet meant fer you?"
Annie answered Il rather think Il
was intended for you." Upon which
remark Captain Jim again cast his
eyes to the floor, and looked more
stupid than ever.
Jlm's appearance was so ludicrous
that Annie could not longer control
her desire to laugh. Her curious,
questioning, half scornful look had
softened to a smile and that gave
place to burst of laughter. so spop-
taneous, so delightfully."- feminine and
infectious that Captain Jim at once
felt himself a man again, and surprised
himself, as well as Annie, by abrupt
ly declaring,
Annie, I'd go through birthstone an
fire fer you"
1t was indeed revelation to her
and what Immediately followed we
shall not attempt to describe. But,
as Captain Tom, bethought him of the
onion, and surmising the consequence
OF Jim's proximity to Annie, hastened
to warn him. Upon opening the door
and crossing the threshold, Tom dis
covered Annie seated at the table, and
Jim in the act of bending over her, and
holding her right hand, presumably to
kiss it, but, by a dexterous movement
surprising in so old a man, implanted
one on her lips instead.
Annie instantly sprang to her feet,
turned her back to Jim, puckered her
mouth, and put on most woeful face,
which prompted Captain Tom to ex-
claim with disgust:
II know'd thet onion would do 1t,
the blasted old fool" and so saying,
he turned and left the room
Captain Jim thought otherwise. He
believed Annie turned her back on
him out of modesty. He stood contem-
plating the sweetness of that stolen
kiss, and unconsciously exclaimed
aloud, milk O. the Gods be nowhar."
Annie haughtily turned, stamped
her foot, curious habit some women
have of expressing displeasure, and in
dignantly remarking, you are rude,"
left the room.
1t had been SO long since Captain
Jim got close to a beautiful woman
that the very thought was ecstacy, and
like smouldering fire, needed but a
touch of breath to burst into riotous
flame. 1t allured him on to a degree
Of admiration, where reason was lost
in the vortex Of infatuation. He
found himself saying:
81 be goin' tew do some courtin'
here, l should thing so, Annie, my
dear" He looked up and discovered
she had gone.
Jest leetle shy" then he solilo-
quized, "by Ged, what splendid craft
Jest the critter I've been looking out fer
these ten vars. I'm sixty-one, barrin'
q month or sich, but who'd think it.
She be grass widder with three chill
lun, all gals tew, big incumbrance, but
then thet air be circumstance in my
favor. It's jist whatll give me pow
crful influence over her, and by the
great horned whale she shall be Mrs.
Captain Smeets, If have to squander
few hundred a-gettin' her."
Hello, JIM" said Captain Tom, who
entered again and softly closed the
door behind him.
How be you, Tom?" replied Jim.
Rather mild for December, eh jim"
said Tom with one of his peculiar
winks.
"Ya-as, pears a leetle mild, but I
reckon it'll blow up sorter soakin' fore
morning"
Tom worked UP another wink and
lirected it full at Jim. and followe' #
up by softly asking, "how air The
81 reckon hers afioat"
Jim, Nan says she air stirlin'
white"
81 reckon Mans about rioht thar.
Tom, hers a splendid craft, I'll allow"
'Shore," said Tom. 81 say jim"
I'll have Nan pilot Annie long some"
tain Tom, set Jim thinking. After
casting a questioning look at Tom
he answered slowly "N-no, I kinder
"eckon you needn't inter-ude, but
thank you, all the same, Tom"
"All right, Jim, the best O. feelin's.
yer know" replied unabashed Tom.
"Jest keep her well fixed in rocks
thet's my advice"
Don't you be worrin' any, Cap
tain Jim reckons he be up tew snuff.
well guess I'll look at the gals hop
PIN" remarked jim.
"And jine our set in a reel. eh Jim ?"
Jim shook his head demurelv.
and replied, "aint feelin' in
practice tew night, Tom"
81 confess I amt nuther, shore I
amt" replied Tom. "Got streak of
the blues. That grocer-I say Jim, kin
yer lend me ten fer few days?"
mo, can't jst now, Tom," answer
ed Jim slowly. "Never carry any
ho poa about mn Uor Irnnu,c onl