Condon globe. (Condon, Gilliam Co., Or.) 189?-1919, 1904-12-08

ENX IAdKs III NGNkUukf0ttk
so that means ''hardy"-not bad"
Ell 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 a gale.
bare his broad breast to the winter
wilds, travel the Ice. wet or dry. shoul-
der a barrel OF flour, he was sturdy.
fearless giant. was Eli zitt Of Ruddy
Cove. And for .nis 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-El scowled more than ever and
said deal less.
Hell be feelin' bad about Josiah"
said the Cove.
Which may have been true. How
ever, ELI 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, 50
exuberant was his affection. the pats
were of such q character that Jacky
lost his breath. Whereupon, Eli would
chuckle the harder. mutter odd en-
dearments, and stride or on his way.
He'll be likin' that lad pretty well. /"
said the Cove. "Nar a doubt, they'll
be partners"
And 1t came to pass, as the Cove sur
missed, but much sooner than the Cove
expected. Josiah Burgers widow died
when Jacky was ii years old. When
the little gathering at the graveyard
in the shelter of Great Hill dispersed.
Eli took the lad out in the punt--far
out to the quiet fishing grounds. where
they could be alone. It was glowing
evening-red and gold In the western
sky-the sea was heaving gently. and
the face of the waters was unfirued.
"Jacky, b'y!' Ell whispered. "Jacky,
lad! Does you hear met Don't cry no
moreI'
AYE, EnF' sobbed Jacky. 'T'n 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, lad?"
Eli laid his great hand on Jacky's
shoulder. Then Jacky took his fists
out of his eyes and looked up into ElPs
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 as the foster son of Ell Zitt.
They lived together In Ellis cottage by
the tickle cove, where Ell had lived
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 fake, the
stage-these they held in common; and
they went to the grounds together,
where they flshed 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 a
trading schooner that had put in In the
morning smiling broadly as he entered
table, palm down.
'They's a gift for you under that
paw, ladw he said.
"For me, Eh?" cried Jaeky.
"Aye, lad-for my partner"
Jacky stared curiously at the big
hand. He wondered what 1t covered
"What is it, EH?' he asked. "Come,
show mev'
ELI lifted the hand, and gazed at
Jacky, grinning the while, with de-
light.
1t was a jack-knife-a stout knife,
three-bladed, horn handled, big, serv-
iceable; just the knife for fisher-Iad
Jacky picked 1t up, but never said
word; for his delight overcame him.
you're wonderful good t. me, ELL"
he said at last, looking up with glis-
tening eyes. you're wonderful good
t. mev'
Eli put his arm around the boy.
you're a good partner, lad" he said.
you're a wonderful good partnerw
Jacky was proud Of that
They put the salmon net out in the
spring. The ice was still lingering