Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-10-14

tain Fri expressed his opinion that the
plan Of finding out things for oneself I
was d good 'idee." Then, after an
other fidgety silence, he observed that
it was a fine evening There being no |
dispute on this point, he endeavored to
think Of something else to say. Mrs.
Snow, however, saved him the trouble.
"Cap'n Hedge" she said, "as I'm
here on what you might call business
errand, and as I've been waitin' pretty I
nigh two hours already, praps we'd
better talk about somethin' besides
fine evenin's. I've got to be lool1in' up
hotel or boardin' house or some
where's to stay tonight, and can't
wait much longer. jedge you got my
letter and was expectin' me. Now, If
it amt askin' too much, I'd like to
know where Cap'n Burgess is and why
he want at the depot to meet me-"
This was leading question, and the
captain was more embarrassed than
ever. However, he felt that something
had to be done and that it was wisest
to get it over with as soon as possible.
"Well, ma'am," he said, we've got
your letter all right, ana, to tell you
the truth, we was at the depot Perez
and me and Jerry"
"You was! Well, then, for the land
of goodness, why didn't you let mo
know it? Such a time as I had tryin'
to find out where you lived and all"
The captain saw but one plausible
explanation, and that was the plain
truth. Slowly he told the story of the
colored woman and the extension case
The widow laughed until her spectacles
fell off,
"Weu, therer' she exclaimed. eff
that don't beat all! don't blame Cap'n
Burgess a mite. Poor thing! 1 guess
I'd have run, too, If I'd have seen that
darby. She was settin' right in the
next seat to me, and she had shut
over bag considerable like mine, and
when she got up to git out she took
mine by mistake. I was good deal
put out about it, and expect talked
to her like Dutch uncle when 1 caught
up with her. Dear, dear! Where is
Cap'n Burgess?"
''He's shut up in fish shanty down
the road, and he's so upset that I dun
nos he'll stir from there tonight. Jerry
amt prejudiced, but that darby was
too much for him."
And then they both laughed, the wild
ow because Of the ludicrous nature Of
the affair and the captain because Of
the relief that the lady's acceptance
of it afforded his mind
Mrs. Snow was the first to become
grave. "Cap'n Hedge she said.
there's one or two things I must say
right here In the first place, 1 amt
in the habit Of answerin' advertise
ments from folks that wants to git
married. I amt so hard up for man
as all that comes to. Next thing, 1
didn't come down here with my mind
made up to marry Cap'n Burgess, not
by no means. wanted to see him and
talk with him and tell him Jest all
about how things was with me and
find out about him and then Why, If
everything was shipshape, might
| p'raps think about
"Jest SO, ma'am, jest So" broke in
her companion. That's about the way
we felt. You see, there's prob'ly a
long story on both sides, and If you'll
excuse me I'll go down to the shanty
and see if can't git Jerry up here.
It'll be job, I'm afraid, but
mo, you shant either. I'll tell you
| what We'll do. It's awful late now
and must be gittin' up to the tavern.
S'pose, if faint too much trouble, you
walk up there with me and I'll stay
there tonight, and tomorrer I'll come
down here, and We'll all have COM
mon sense talk. P'raps by that time
your friend III have the darky woman
some off his mind too"
They walked up the road together,
the captain carrying the extension
case. They talked, but not of matri-
monial prospects. Mrs. Snow knew
| almost as much about the sea and the
goings and comings thereon as did
her escort, and the conversation was
salty in the extreme.
At the Travellers Rest Mrs. Snow
was introduced by the unblushing Fri
as cousin from Provincetown, and
after some controversy concerning the
price of board and lodging she was
shown up to her room. Captain Fri
walked home, absorbed in meditation
Whatever his thoughts were they were
not disagreeable, for he smiled and
shook his head more than once, as if
with satisfaction. AS he passed John
Balter's house he noticed that the light
in the upper window was still burning
Captain Perez was half asleep when
i Err opened the door of the shanty
Captain Jerry, however, was very
much awake and demanded to be told
things right away. His friend briefly
explained the situation
II don't care if she stays here TIL
doomsday," emphatically declared the
disgruntled one. 81 shan't marry her
What's she like anyhow"
He was surprised at the enthusiasm
Of Captain Eri's answer
She's a mighty good woman That's
71,o% ;,,l- s<l,o 81 -.