The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1907-03-20

The captain walked briskly down to
the gate. Then. as the door closed
behind him, he paused, wiped his fore
head with his coat sleeve and drew
long breath.
There was jubilation In the old
maids room that night.
On Tuesday OF the following week
this telegram came:
Boston. Mass.
Bradley Nickerson. Orham, Mass.
Come my Office Immediately.
ALPHEUS COOK.
"Humphg' grunted Captain Titcomb.
"Short and crisp. like the old woman's
pie crust, amt lt2 Well, Brad, 1 guess
you'd better 60"
Bradley agreed with him and hur-
ried home to pack his grip. He took
care to tell Gus She rejoiced with
him over the triumph they both felt
sure was coming.
you're succeeding Brad" she said.
Everybody is talking about It, I'm
prouder Of you than ever"
"Rut when will you be willing to
have me tell people that we're en-
gagged? Mayn't do that now, GusT
She paused, and his hopes rose, but
kthen she shook her head. at wouldn't
be fair to YOU" she said. Sometimes
feel that I almost-well, like you
enough to be content to stay in Orham
all my life and work for you and with
YOU I'm trying hard to feel that way.
l n i
must get away to where the people
talk Of something besides their neigh
! bors' affairs where there are great
things being done and where the world
moves. You think Pm inconsistent
don't you?"
NO il is dull down here, and most
Of the folks are rather narrow, I'm
afraid. Gus. You know what my bust
ness means to me. Well, If it will
please YOU and you will come with me,
III give It all up, even now, and go
back to the city and try It there"
She smiled tcnderly You're a dear
good boy" she said. "but do you sup
pose I should ever he happy again II
I let you do that?"
The railway journey to Boston had
only one incident worth notice. At
Buzzard's Bay the Boston train meets
that bound down the cape. There was
some delay mt the station. and Brad
ley stepped ont on the platform. He
was walking mp and down smoking
when somebody shouted: Hello. Brad
Nickerson, What are you doing
hore?'
Brad turned and saw Sam Ham
moud
"WcU"' he exclaimed shaking hands
with his old scat mate. where are
You bound Orham"
"Yup. How is the old graveyard
anyway"
"Prctty quiet just now. Most of the
summer folks have gone home. You
on another vocationF"
Sam laughed kind Of vacation a
fellow hands out 10 himself" ne an
swcrnd The wrecking company and
I had row. They tried 10 put ten
mems work on me. and I wouldn't
stand for H. So told 'cm TO go TO the
devil II put 'cm I'm a hole. all right
but uobodys going TO walk on my
noel, if / know IT, I'm going home TO
loaf r'r awhile. ! need rest anyway
Then TIL go back 10 Now York and
hook ON with another crowd. There's
plenty of 'em want me. but they can
wait ITow'S all the girls? Gus Baker
pretty wcllT"
They talked for "a few minutes long
or Sam asked how the anchor drag
ginc trust was getting on Then the
two trains started. Bradley leaned
back I'M his seat in the smoker and
moditatc1. Somehow a conversation
with sam always made him "blue"
lie wished the fellow was not going
to Orham.
Ncyt morning, bright and early, he
walked into the Coal kings" office
An important young man with a pen
behind his ear disdalned to notice him.
Who'd You wish to See?" he asked
after a dignifed interval
"N1r. Cook-the older one" answered
Bradley.
Hes busy now; likely to be busy
see him for? Won't do?"
Don't know. I'm sure" replied the
wrecker gravely. "Ill speak to Mr.
Cook about IT, You see, he was the
one that sent for me- So
"He sent for you! Oh, excuse me. l
wish you'd said so sooner. SIT down,
please. What name, SIR"
"Nlckerson. sir"
The young man, much less impOr-
tant, hurried into another room and re-
turned at once.
"NIr. Cook II see you, sir" he said,
opening the gate. step right into his
private office, Mr.. Nickerson."
The great Mr.. Cook was seated be-
hind his big carved desk. The whole
outfit looked rather formidable. He
stared at Bradley over his glasses.
"Slt down." he commanded. "Got
my wire. | suppose?"
Yes sir"
"Well what's VOur lowest Drlca for