Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1905-11-07

1 DltsiSl vi IL w III !!
Ex3a when he reached home that
lS night 1t was after u
o'clock. but I've routed his friend out of
bed to tell him the news and the story.
Captain Fri was not as surprised to
hear of the engagement as he pretend
ed to be, for lie had long ago made up
his mind that Perez meant business
this time. But the tale Of the fire and
the voyage in the carryall tickled him
immensely. and lie rolled back ana
forth in the rocker and laughed until
his sides aclled.
The next evening when the three
captain We're together in Jerry's room
after supper Perez said:
Fri. it seems to me we've got to do
somethin' bout Mrs. Snow She was
hired to be housekeeper while John
was sick. Now he's dead. and she'll
think it's queer if we don't settle that
marryin' business Amt that so?'
Yes" answered Captain Fri lacon-
ically.
Il wish you'd mind your own CON
sarns and give me time" protested
Captain Jerry
Time. How much time do you
want? Land of Goshen. should
think you'd had time enough
We'll" Captain Jerry wriggied and
twisted, but saw no loophole. We'll.
give me month to git up my courage
in and
"A month. A months ridiculous
amt it. Eri:"
Yes
We'll. three weeks them
This offer. too. was rejected. Then
Cap pfain Jerry held out for Il fortnight
fo. ten days. Finally it was settled
that within one week from that very
night he WAS to offer his heart and
hand to the lady from Nantucket He
pledged his solemn word to do it.
Josiah went up TO the postof1ice late
in the afternoon of the next day The
able selnan was behaving himself
remarkably We'll. He had become a
real help To Captain Fri, and the latter
said that sailing alone would he doubly
hard when his foremaS1 hand Went
back to sch 'oI again. which he WAS to
do Very shortly. for Josiah meant to
accept the captains offer and try for
The ANNAPOLIS appointment when the
time came.
The boy came back With the mail and
an item of news. The mail. a paper
only. he handed to Mrs. Snow. and the
IA ~ # hn f.,l ia
as follows:
Mr. HaZcit;nes goin' to leave the
cable station. he said.
Coin to leave. repeated the house
keeper "W'hat for:'
Il don't know. ma'am. All l know is
what l heard Mr.. Wingate say. He
said Mr. HaZeltine was goin' to get
through over at the station pretty soon
He said one of the operators told him
So
well. for the lands sake! Did you
know anything bout it, Eri:''
why. yes. a little. l met HaZeltine
yesterday, and he told me that some
folks out west had made him Il pretty
goal offer and he didn't know whether
to take it or not Said The salary was
good. and the whole thing looked sort
Of temrtih He hat.n't decig.el what
10 IL yit. That's al there is to it,
Tee WAS little else talked alo.it
during the meal. Captain Percy. Cap
taih jerry and Mrs. Snow argued snr-
hiiSed and questioned Captain Fri. who
said little. Elsie said almost nothing
ana Went to her room shortly after
the Gishes We're washed.
"HHmD!l." exclaimed Captain Perez.
when they We're alone Il guess vour
matchmakin schemes up spout. Jeri "
And. for a wonder. Captain Jerry did
not contradict him.
The weather changed that night and
it grew co.. t.:p:dly. In the morning
the pump -'as frozen and Captain
Jerry and Mrs. Snow spent some time
and much energy in thawing it ou.. 1t
was later than usual when the former
set out for the schoolhouse AS he was
putting Oh his cap Elsie suggested
that he wait for her. as she had some
lessons to prepare and wanted an hour
or SO to herself at her desk. They
walked on together under a cloudy
sky.
Il s'pose you was Cad to hear TIE
news last night:" asked Captain
Jerry.
What news:'
why. that boHt Mr. HaZeltine's
goin' away You're glad he's gon'. OF
course
Miss Preston did not answer imme-
dately Instead she turned and looked
woE. E.,erinsly 1T her companion.
why should | be glad. pray" she
asked.
Why. don't know. l jest took it
for granted you would be. You didn't
want him to come and see YOU. and if
he WAS gone lie couldn't coale. s.
Lust minute. please. What makes
you t.s:nk | didn't want Mr.. HaZcitine
to call:"
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