Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-11-07
By JOSEPH c. LINCOLN
CHAPTER xvI-(continued.)


Captain Perez might and probably
would have suggested action upon this
important matter had not his mind
been taken up with what to him was
the most important of all He had
made up his mind to ask Patience
Davis to marry him.
Love is like the measles; it goes hard
with man past fifty, and Captain
Perez was severely smitten. The de-
cision just mentioned was not exactly
brand new one; his mind had been
made up for some time, but he lacked
the courage to ask the momentous
question. Something the lady had said
during the first stages Of their ac-
quaintance made great impression on
the captain. She gave 1t as her opin-
ion that man who loved woman
should be willing to go through fire
and water to win her. Captain Perez
went home that night bordering deep
~.
Fire and waterv' he unused. "That's
a turrible test. But she's wonderful
woman and would expect it of a Teller.
I wonder If I could do it Seems g II
/ would now, but flesh is weak and I
might funk and that would settle it.
Fire and waterl My, myl That's aw-
full"
So the captain delayed and Miss Pa
thence, who had cherished hopes, found
need Of good share of the virtue for
which she was named
But one afternoon at the end of the
week following that Of the funeral
Perez set out for call upon his in
tended which he meant should be de-
cisive one.
He found the lady alone, for old Mrs.
Mayo had gone with her son, whose
name was Abner, to visit cousin in
Harniss, and would not be back until
late in the evening. Miss Patience
was very glad to have company, and
1t required no great amount Of urging
to persuade the infatuated swain to
stay to tea. When the meal was over
they washed the dishes together, and
the captain was so nervous that it is
a wonder there was whole plate left
the pair were seated in the parlor.
Then said Captain Perez, turning red
and hesitating, "Pashy, do you know
what Teller told me bout you"
Now this remark was purely a pleas.
ant fiction, for the captain was about
to undertake a compliment and was
rather afraid to shoulder the entire re.
sponsiDility.
mo, I'm sure don't, Perez" replied
Miss Davis, smiling sweetly.
"Wcll, Il Teller told me you was the
best housekeeper in Orham. He said
that the man that got you would be
lucky"
This was encouraging Miss Pa.
thence colored and simpered little.
Land sake" she exclaimed. "Who.
ever told you such rubbish as that.
Besides" with downcast eyes, 81 guess
no man would ever want me-"
"Oh, l don't know" The captain
moved uneasily in his chair, as If he
contemplated hitching it nearer to that
occupied by his companion. II guess
there's plenty would be mighty glad
to git you. Anyhow, there's-there's
one that-that-I carlate the fog's
thick as ever, don't you"
But Miss Patience didn't mean to
give UP in this way.
what was it you was goin' to say?"
she asked by way Of giving the bash
fui one another chance
II was goin' TO say, Pashy, that-that
II asked if you thought the fog was as
thick as ever"
"Oh, dear me! Yes, s'pose likely
'tis,'' was the discouraged answer
Seems to me never see such wealth
er for this time Of year. The ice is
all out of the bay, and there amt a
bit Of wind, and it's warm as summer,
pretty nigh. Kind of a storm breeder,
I'm afraid"
"Weil, I'm glad you're here to keep
me comp'ny. I've never been sole