Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-10-07

occasional shop, too. witt. signs like
A "Cape Cod Variety Store" or wThe
Boston Dry Goods Emporium ovel
their doors. On the platform Of one
a small crowd was gathered, and from
the interior came shouts Of laughter
and the sound of tin-panny piano
That's the billiard saloon" volun.
teered Captain Fri, suddenly waking
from his trance. PLAY pool, Mr.. Ha.
zeltine?"
Sometimes"
what dye play 1t within"
"Why, with a cue, generally speak.
ing"
THAT SO! Most Of the fellers In there
play 1t with their mouths. Miss a shot
and then spend the rest of the evcnin'
tellin' how it happened. Parker played
it considerable"
II judge that your opinion OF my
predecessor isn't high one.'
"Who7 Oh, Parker! He was all
right in his way Good many folks
in this town swore by him. under
stand the fellers over at the station
thought he was about the ticket"
"Mr. Langley includedy"
| "oh, Mr.. Langley, bein' manager,
had his own ideas, 1 s'pose! Langley
don't play pool much, not at Web
Saunders place anyhow. We turn in
here"
They rolled up long driveway, very
dark and overgrown with trees, and
drew up at the back door of good
sized two story house There was a
light in the kitchen window.
Whoa, Dan'l" commanded the cap
tain. Then he began to shout "ship
ahoy?' at the top of his lungs.
The kitchen door opened and man
CAME out. carrying a lamp, its light
shining full upon his face. It was an
old face, stern face, with white eye
brows and thin Tipped mouth. There
| was, however, tremble about the
chin that told OF inf1rn health.
Hello, Johnv' said Captain Fri
heartily. John, let me make you ac-
quainted with Mr.. Hazeltine, the new
man at the cable station Mr.. Hazel
tine, this 10 my friend, Cap'n John
Baxter"
The two shook hands, ana then Cap
tain Fri said:
"John, brought down them barrels
for you. Hawkins got 'em here, same
as he always does, By the skin of his
teeth. Stand by now, cause I'VE got
to deliver Mr.. Hazeltine at the sta
ton, and it's gittin' late.''
John Baxter said nothing beyond
thanking his friend for the good turn,
but he ''stood BY" as directed, and the
barrels were quickly unloaded, AS
they were about to drive out Of the
yard Captain Fri turned in his seat
and said:
"John, guess I'll be up some time to-
morrow. want to talk with you
about that billiard room business"
The lamp in Bakers hand shook.
"God A'mighty's got his eye on that
place, Fri Hedge" he shouted, "and
on them that's runnin' it!''
That's all right" said the captain.
''Then the Jobs in good hands, and we
amt got to worry. Good nightr'
But in spite Of this assurance Hazel
tine noticed that his driver was silent
and preoccupied until they reached the
| end OF the road BY the shore. when he
brought the willing Daniel to stand
still and announced that it was time to
change cars"
It is a fifteen minute row from the
! mainland to the outer beach, and Cap
tain Err made It on schedule time
Hazeltine protested that he was used
to boat and could go alone and re-
turn the dory In the morning, but the
| captain wouldn't hear of it. The dory
slid up on the sand, and the passenger
climbed out.
There's the station" said the cap
tain, pointing to row of lighted win
dows quarter Of mile away. ut Is
straight ahead this time, and the walk
ms bettern 1t has been for the last
few minutes. Good nightv'
The electrician put his hand in his
pocket, hesitated and then withdrew 1t,
empty.
I'm very much obliged to you for all
this" he said. "I'm glad to have made
your acquaintance, and hope we shall
see each other often"
Same here!' said the captain hearth
". Were likely to git together once
in awhile, SEEM as we're next door
neighbors, right across the road, as
you might say. That's my berth over
yonder, where you see them lights. It's
Jest round the corner from the road
we drove down last. Good night! Good
luck to you"
And he settled himself for the row
home.
CHAPTER III.
| f~1 HE house where the three can