Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1906-07-30

- waited billiard roor, s IttlH.
later than usual the next morning. It
was common report about the village
mat Mr.. Saunders occasionally sam
pied the contents of some of the orig
mai packages" which, bearing the
name and address of a 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
sampilng' seasons his temper was not
Of the best
Inc 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 chair by the stove, and the
watchdog" having found it chilly
outside and venturing in, 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 a
/ stranger never would have guessed it.
In fact, the stranger might reasonably
have supposed that the visitor was
Mr.. Saunders dearest friend and that
his call was a pleasure long looked for
ward to.
why, capnr' exclaimed Web. How
are you? Put her there! I'm glad to
lnOiyiJ15 cai6 tn
Squealer the other day, ST, 'Squealer,
| never see a man hold his age like
Cap,n Hedge; I'll be blessed if he
looks a 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 a 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
1OOACO at lSllSL 1uOtC tuaA o6iJ past
forty.
But, if Captain Err was more than
usually quiet and reserved, Web was
unchanged, and if he noticed that the
handshalze 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 yeaE,sain't it? What's
new down your. way? That's right,
have a 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. I want to talk to YOU"
why, sure!" exclaimed the genial
man of business, pulling up another
chair. 'Have a cigar, won't you? You
don't come to see me very often, and
l feels though we ought to celebrate.
Ha, ha, ha.''
No, guess not thank you" was the
answer. "I'll smoke my pipe, if it's
+ all the same to you.
Mr. Saunders didn't mind in the least,
but thought he would have a cigar
himself. So he lit one and smoked in
silence as the captain filed his pipe.
Web knew that this was something
more than an ordinary social visit.
/ Ta0fai1 1,7.i,c no
t were few anG.far1 batween The cap
2 tain, for his part ksfsw what his com
{ panion was thinking, and the pair
watched each other through the smoke
: The pipe drew we'll, and the captain
sent blue cloud whirling toward the
e ceiling. Then he asked suddenly,
t web, how much money has Elsie
j Preston paid you altogether?'
: Mr.. Saunders started the least hit
e and his small eyes narrowed a trife.
But the innocent surprise in his re-
e ply was treat to hear
/ Elsie? Paid me?' he asked.
: Yes. How much has she paid you %
f i don't know what you mean"
i Yes, you do. She's been payin' you
money regular for more'n a month ]
r want to know how much it is
Now, Cap'n Hedge, l don't know
/ what you're talkin' about. Nobody's
paid me a cent except them that's
e owed me. Who did you say? Elsie
e Preston? That's the schoolteacher
amt it,"
r web, you're liar, and always was
e put you needn't lie to me this mornin
n cause it won't be healthy. don't fee
S. like hearin' it. You understand that
E 10 you?"
d Mr. Saunders thought it time to blus
n ter little. He rose to his feet threat
Y eningly.
It "Cap'n Hedge he said, mo man I
n call ne lar"
There's a precious few that calls
is you anything else.
a. You're an old man. or I,do-