Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-10-05

cheerfully, I'm tryin' to
MS4zIss average up with the mis-
| G4HstD takes of Providence"
The captain was seated by the open
door of the dining room ia the rocker
with the patched cane seat. He was
apparently very busy doing something
with a piece of fish line and a pair Of
long legged rubber boots. Captain
Perez, swinging back and forth in the
parlor rocker with the patchwork cush-
ion, was putting deliberately at a
wooden pipe, the bowl of which was
carved into the likeness Of a very
rakish damsel with sailors cap set
upon the side Of her once naxen head
In response to his companions remark
he lazily turned his sunburned face to-
ward the cane seated rocker and in
quired:
What on airth are you dom with
them boots?''
Captain Fri tied knot with his fin
gers and teeth and then held the boots
out at arms length.
why, Perez" he said, "I'm aver
agin' up, same as I told you. Provi-
dence made me two legged critter, and
two legged critter needs two boots.
I've always been able to find one of
these boots right off whenever want
ed It, but It's took me SO plaguy long
to find the other one that whatever
wet there was dried up afore 1 got out
Of the house. That's why I'm splicin'
'em together this way 1 don't want
to promise nothin' rash, but I'm in
hopes that even Jerry can't lose 'em
| now
"Humphr' grunted Captain Perez.
IT don't think much Of that plan.
STEAD Of losin' one you'll lose both of
'em."
yes, but then I shan't care If
there amt no boots in sight I'll go
barefoot or stay at home. It's the
kind Of responsiveness that goes with
havin' one boot that's wearin' me out.
Where is Jerry?"
"He went out to feed Lorenzo. I
heard him CALM minute ago. That
Jerry's worried"
A stentorian shout Of "Puss! Puss!
Come. kitty, kitty, kittyr' came
from somewhere outside Captain Fri
smiled.
"I'm 'fraid Lorenzo's glttin' dissipat-
ed in his old age" he observed. Then
as fat gray cat shot past the door:
''There he is! Regular prodigal son.
Comes home when the fatted CATS
ready"
A moment later Captain Jerry ap-
peared, milk pitcher in hand. He en-
tered the dining room and, putting the
pitcher down on the table, pulled for
ward the armchair with the painted
sunset on the back, produced his own
pipe and proceeded to hunt through
one pocket after the other with trou-
bled expression Of countenance.
'Where in tunket is my terbacker?"
he asked after finishing the round of
pockets and preparing to begin all over
again.
81 see it on the top Of the clock a
spell ago" said Captain Perez
''Was that yours, Jerry?' exclaimed
Captain Fri. "Well, that's too bad! 1
see it there and thought twas mine.
Here it's, or what's left Of it."
Captain Jerry took the remnant Of
plug from his friend and said in an
aggrieved tone:
That's jest like you, Fri! Never
have place for nothin' and help your
self to anything you happen to want,
don't make no odds whose it's. Why
don't you take care Of your terbackcr.
sames Go of nine?"
"Now, see here, Jerry, amt SO sure
that is yours. Let me sec it. IIumph.
thought so! This is Navy Plug and
you always smoke Sailors Sweet
heart Talk about havin' a place for
thingJ''
That's my terbacker, if you want to
know" observed Captain Perez. i've
got yours, Fri. Here it's
We'll, then, where is mine?" said
Captain jerry somewhat snappshly
"Bet dollar you've got it in your
pocket" said Captain Err.
Bot $40 l amt! I amt quite
fool VT, Fri Hedge. guess I know.
Well, 1 snum. forgot that upper vest
pocket" And from the pocket men,
toned Captain Jerry produced tie
missing tobacco.
There was Il general laugh, in which
Captain Jerry was obliged to join, and
the trio smoked in silence for 4 time,
while the expanse Of water to the east
ward darkened and the outer beach be-
came but q dllslsy streak separating the
ocean from the inner bay. At length
Captain Perez rose and. knocking the
ashes from his pipe, announced that he
was going to 'sllow glim."
Yes, go ahead, Jerry!" said Captain
Fri. cts gittin dark"
cts darker in the grave" observed
Captain Perez, with lugubrious philos-
ophy.
Then, for the lands sake, let's have
it light While we can. Here. Jerry,
them matches is burnt ones! Try this.
'Twon't be so damagin' to the morals"
Io,.r,, %</>I- no offnrad ~, n ~,