The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1906-10-12

min. Mebbe | won't heV' ter"
And Capt. Amos-with a deep-water
sailors unerring spring, landed square,
ly on the boats half-deck.
The red of the sunset faded into
pearl-and darkening gray. From the
lighthouse on Fort Point golden fin
ger shot seaward and the frosted edge
of the full moon crept gradually into
the clCudlesS sky. An inexplicable
spell, conjured perhaps by the half
mysterious peace brooding under the
wings of the coming night, flooded
Capt. Amos soul, awakening old and
potent memories.
"Lem?" he said diffidently-uncon-
sciously using the familiar diminutive
that had not passed his lips for years
-"j'you notice how terribly pretty the
sky looks over there to the west'ard?
amt seen it look like that for years,
an it sorter reminds me of the time
we was young fellers-with old man
Bragg in the Dreadnaught-in 49,"
EYES," assented Capt. Lemuel,
thoughtfully, "an' speakin' bout the
Dreadnaught, do you remember how
we ulster hook share of the grog
bein' too young to hev' any, regular.
Blamed if 1 don't wish 1 had that OF
tin pannikin O. mine here now, with
some III it"
Capt. Amos heart gave a sudden
throb of anticipation.
"Say?" he remarked deprecatingly,
course amt a-sayin' there is any
thing O. that sort aboard this dory; but
s'posin' there wuz? Would you prom
ise-on the Bible il we had one-not
to say anything to-to-Fairport, bout
my beln' capsiZec-if I gin you
some?"
Capt. Higgins stopped his oar and
reaching forth, grasped his dory-
mates shoulder, whirling him around
unceremoniously.
do you mean to say you've got
some Ticker, Amos Stubbs?" he de-
manded sternly.
Capt Stubs explained and produced
the flask.
Capt. Higgins elevated it for long
minute and returned it with a deep
sigh Of satisfaction.
Its curious how set some women
is agin' little licker," he commented,
with glistening eyes; "all foolishness,
too"
so 'tis-so it's" concurred Capt.
Amos, raising the flask in turn. II all
lus said so; specially if their fust hus-
bands couldn't stand much; women is
ALFRED queer, anyhow"
''They certainly be-" acknowledged
the tall captain, cycling the flask hope
fully, "an' that's one reason I've been
so everlastin' s'prised at SEEM you "a
chasin' one of 'em at your time Of life,
THROWN over OF friends an actin
stubborn an cont'ray-'s if you was a
young Teller o. 90"
"Me a-chasin' of 'em!" retorted Capt.
Amos Indignantly. What hev' you
been doin' yourself, I'd like to know?
Amt you been a-goin' up to the wild
der's every Thursday night for the
last three years? An tryin' to pizen
her mind agin' me? 'Tain't your fault
she amt Mis- Lemuel Higgins this
mint, nuther-why don't you say
suthin?"
Capt. Higgins moistened his lips.
If 'twan't for things bein' as they
be-" he ventured hesitatingly, Il dunno
but I'd be tempted to make a sorter
proposition TO you, Am Stubs; but
s'pose it wouldn't be no use-you bein'
so set on marryin' Mis- Tompkins."
81 Cont sees I'm any more set on
MARVIN of her than you be-" Capt.
Amos retorted, with asperity. What
kind Of proposition was you thinkin'
O. makin'?'
"Weli," returned Lemuel, moving his
oar aimlessly, 81 was goin' to say that
If things was the same between us as
they was once-I mean if there want
no widder-Pd ask you if you didn't
want to come in with me on my new
lobster contract? There'd be good
money for both of us in it, an I've
got 70 hev' somebody"
Capt. Amos rubbed his chin, staring
ahead at the wide and scintillating
fairway the moon had flung down
clear 10 the dory's bow.
Look here, Lem!" he blurted husk-
lily over his shoulder "mebbe I'm a
fool; but somehow, talkin' over old
times same's we've been doin', has
kinder made me feel different from the
way I've been a-feelin'. 1t seems to me
l amt so ALFRED set on the wilder as
l thought / was. I'm gettin' along In
years an I'm a good deal more set in
my ways than you be-you hev'ing
been Eiarried once-so-so-so-" des-
perately-"I'll come to the weddin'.
amt sayin' this on account O. the offer
you made me, nuther-though I'd be
more'n glad sto take up with it an do
the cookin'," he concluded resolutely.
do you mean to say that you'll give
up the wilder to me?" faltered Capt.
Lem IN a curiously shaky voice.
That's jest what 1 meant" replied
Capt Amos, steadily. 1--WE made up
my mind that there's some things that
| is more precious to an Oh Teller like
me than the love O. any woman; OF
times an OF friends-an'-an'-"
"Then we won't neither on us hev'
her, cried Capt. Lemuel triumphantly.
'S'pose we jes' give her the mitten, so
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