Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-11-04

man; ME-. Web saunders,
IMSSMSSI opened the door of his reno
- waited billiard room a little
later than usual the next morning. It
was common report about the village
that Mr.. Saunders occasionally sam
pied the contents Of some Of the "orig-
inal packages" which, bearing the
name and address Of Boston whole
sale liquor dealer, came to him by ex-
/ press at irregular intervals. 1t was
also reported, probably by unreliable
total abstainers, that during these
''sampling" seasons his temper was not
Of the best.
| The forenoon trade. at the billiard
room was never very lively, and this
forenoon was no exception. At half
past IL the man Of business was doz-
ing in "a chair by the stove, and the
watchdog" having found it chilly
outside and venturing Nin, was doing
near him. The bell attached to the
door rang vigorously, and the man
awoke with a start The visitor was
| Captain Fri
Now, the captain was perhaps the
last person whom the proprietor of the
billiard room expected to see, but
stranger never would have guessed it.
In fact, the stranger might reasonably
have supposed that the visitor was
Mr.. Saunders dearest friend and that
bis call was pleasure long looked for
ward to.
why, cap'nw exclaimed Web. How
are you? Put her therel I'm glad to
see you lookin' so well. said to
Squealer the other day, ST, 'Squealer,
I never see man hold his age like
Cap'n Hedge; IN be blessed If he
looks day over forty says. Take
off your coat, won't your
Somehow or other, the captain must
have lost sight of Webs extended
hand. Certainly the hand was large
enough to be seen, but he did not take
it. He did, however, accept the invi-
tation to remove his coat and, slipping
out Of the faded brown pea jacket,
threw it on settee at the side of the
room. His face was stern and his
manner quiet, and, in spite Of Mr.
| Saunders fattering reference to his
! youthful appearance, this morning he
looked at least more than a day past
forty.
But, if Captain Fri was more than
usually quiet and reserved, Web was
unchanged, and II he noticed that the
handshake was declined said nothing
about it. His smile was sweetness it
self as he observed: "Well, cap'n,
mighty mod'rate weather we're having
for this time of year, amt it? What's
new down your way? That's right,
| have chair"
The captain had no doubt anticipated
this cordial invitation, for he seated
himself before it was given and, cross
ing his legs, extended his dripping rub
Der boots toward the fire. The rain
was still falling, and it beat against
the windows of the saloon in gusts.
"Web," said Captain Fri, ''set down
minute. want to talk to you"
why, sure!' exclaimed the genial
man Of business. pulling up another
chair. "Have cigar, won't you? You
don't come to see me very often, and
I feels though we ought to celebrate.
Ha, ha, ha!'
mo, guess not, thank you,'' was the
answer. ''Ill smoke my pipe, if It's
all the same to you"
Mr.. Saunders didn't mind in the least,
but thought he would have cigar
himself. So he lit one and smoked in
silence as the captain filled his pipe.
Web knew that this was something
more than an ordinary social visit.
Captain Eris calls at the billiard room
were few and far between. The cap
tain, for his part, knew what his COM
panion was thinking, and the pair
watched each other through the smoke.
The pipe drew well, and the captain
sent blue cloud whirling toward the
ceiling. Then he asked suddenly,
"Web, how much money has Elsie
Preston paid you altogether"
Mr. Saunders started the least bit,
and his small eyes narrowed trifle.
But the innocent surprise in his re-
ply was treat to hear.
elsie? Paid me?" he asked.
Eyes. How much has she paid you"
II don't know what you mean"
Eyes, you do. She's been payin' you
money regular for more'n month. /
want to know how much it u.s." :
"Now, Cap'n Hedge, I don't know
what you're talkin' about Nobody's
paid me a cent except them that's
owed me. Who did you say? Elsie
Preston? That's the schoolteacher,
amt it,"
"Web. you're liar and always was.
but you needn't lie TO me this mornin'
cause 1t won't be healthy. I don't feel
like hearin' it. You understand that,
do your"
Mr.. Saunders thought it time to blus.
ter little. He rose to his feet threat
.eninqlv
"Cap'n Hedge" he said, mo man III
call me liar"