Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1904-11-26
\ UDDY COVE called Eli Zitt

Eli was gruff-voiced, lowering-eyed,
unkempt, big; he could swim with the
dogs, out-dare all the reckless spirits
of the Cove with the punt in gale,
bare his broad breast to the winter
wilds, travel the ice, wet or dry, Shout
der a barrel of -four, he was a sturdy,
fearless giant, was Ell Zitt Of Ruddy
Cove. And for .Ais the Cove proper
ly called him a "hard' man.
When Josiah Bunger, his partner,
put out to sea and never came back
an off-short gale had the guilt of that
deed-Eli scowled more than ever and
said deal less.
Hell be feelin' bad about JOSIAH"
said the Cove.
Which may have been true. How
ever, Ell took care Of Josiah's widow
and son. The Cove laughed with de-
light to observe his attachment to the
lad. The big fellow seemed to be un-
able to pass the child without patting
him on the back; and sometimes, so
exuberant was his affection, the pats
were Of such a character that Jacky
lost his breath. Whereupon, Eli would
chuckle the harder, mutter odd en-
dearments, and stride off on his way.
"Hell be likin' that lad pretty WE'LL"
said the Cove. Mar a doubt, they'll
be partners"
And it came to pass, as the Cove sur
missed, but much sooner than the Cove
expected. Josiah Burgers widow died
when Jacky was IL years old. When
the little gathering at the graveyard
in the shelter Of Great Hill dispersed,
Ell took the lad out in the punt-far
out to the quiet fishing grounds, where
they could be alone. 1t was a glowing
evening-red and gold in the western
sky-the sea was heaving gently, and
the face Of the waters was unff1rued.
"Jacky, b'yv' Eli whispered "Jacky,
lad! Does you hear me? Don't cry no
morev
AYE Elip sobbed Jacly. "I'll cry
no more"
But he kept on crying, just the same;
for he could not stop; and Eli looked
away quickly to the glowing sunset
clouds.
"Jacky," he said, turning at last to
the sobbing child, "us'll be partners
JUS you an me-"
Jacky sobbed harder than ever.
Wont us, ladY
Eli laid his great hand on Jacky's
shoulder. Then Jacky took his fists
out of his eyes and looked up into Ellis
compassionate face. "Aye, ELL he
said, "us'll be partners-you an me-"
From then on they were partners;
and Jacky Bunger was known in the
Cove az the foster son of Eli Zitt
They lived together in Ellis cottage by
alone since many years before his
mother had left him to face the world
for himself. The salmon net, the her
ring seine, the punt, the flake, the
stage-these they held in common; and
they went to the grounds together,
where they fshed the long days
throgh, good friends, good partners.
The Cove said that they were happy;
and, as always, the Cove was right.
One night Eli came ashore from
trading schooner that had put in in the
morning, smiling broadly as he entered
the kitchen. He laid his hand on the
cable, palm down.
"They's a gift for you under that
paw, ladw he said
"For me, Eli?' cried Jaeky.
AYE, lad-for my partner"
Jacky stared curiously at the big
hand. He wondered what it covered.
''What is it. ELF" he asked. "Come,
show me!'
Eli lifted the hand, and gazed at
-Jacky, grinning the while, with de-
light.
1t was jack-knife-a stout knife,
three-bIaded, horn handled, big, serv-
iceable; just the knife for fisher-lad.
Jacky picked it up, but never said a
word; for his delight overcame him.
you're wonderful good t. me- Eli
he said at last, looking up with glis-
tening eyes. you're wonderful good
t. mev'
Ell put his arm around the boy.
you're good partner, lad" he said
you're a wonderful good partnerv'
Jacky was proud Of that.
They put the salmon net out in the
spring. The ice was still lingering
off shore. The west wind carried it
out; the east wind swept it in; vari-
able winds kept pans and bergs drift
ing hither and thither, and no man
colud tell where next the ice would
60 Now the sea was clear, from the
shore to the Jagged, glistening, white
line Of the near horizon; next day, the
day after, and the pack was grinding
against the coast rocks. Men had to
keep watch to save the nets from
destruction.
The partners net was moored of
Break-heart Point 1t was good