The Washington herald., 1907-12-08

But "sinkers" are difficult and exigent
set. and must have their money on the
instant-lf not some tim before. Other
wise what the local p0Ee call disturb
ances" and those concerned .'ructions''
are apt to arise with cyelonic suddenness.
Then sometimes Uncle Barnys dollars,
though doubtless on the way, failed TO
connect. and the business on the top OF
the Port Heugh was I'm danger Of failing
also. II was when these crises were
growing more frequent that Mr. Romer,
having left his carriage below. strolled
up 10 the new workings to see the mana
ger He liked 70 talk to him.
Some who had worked for him over at
Kirktown affirmed that there was bound
20 be a laugh somewhere under the old
mans waistcostT
But they were wrong. Jacob Romer
was merely feeling hts way TO a kind
action. He had not often put himself
about for the purpose during his life, and
TO tell the truth was little out of prac-
tice.
Indeed. he went clumsily enough to
work First he bemoaned his own loss OF
an occupation. He had not even a hobby,
and he refrained from language" when
Phil In the innocence of his soul sug-
Il am one OF the unemployed now" he
said. Il hope you don't mind an old
digger coming up here sometimes-kuew
your father and all that-all our lives. in
fact-good fellow, Calmont, And YOU
are shaping very fairly since you left
US But you won't mind my saying that
you need grounding. Well. you viii get
il before you are through"
Jacob ROmcr did not say more al the
moment. but each time he came he added
little more. He was kindly. too. and
after while our lonely Phil became
more and more glad 10 see the old man
in the gray suit, the tight. close-cropped
whiskers. and shaver face coming slowly
up through the scattered hazels and
birches on the Portogarten slope. Some
times he would send his eoachman on
TO the little inn at the Port telling him TO
return in an hour Then be would talk
20 Phil till the carriage cane back
I'm not here in the interests of IN
cubus & Co. you know" Mr. Romer
would say; Il leave all that 10 Kahn
now. But / know your father. and-I
take an interest in these good folk down
there"
He pointed TO the lighthouse, and there
was a twinkle in his eye.
They are building a tower and sink
ing pit at the same time, he said. and
] fear they have never Cwhat is itO sat
down before and counted the cost I
have no experience in towers. and the
lighthouse board may help. But I know
all about this business OF pit sinking
and it gets rid Of the dollars quicker than
skimming them into the sea. EN-. Master
PHILIPPE"
Phil nodde a grave assent. and at this
Z no old
able chair. cane-bottomed. roomy. and
much mended-but, when you knew its
ways, comfortable.
However. Mr.. ROmer at this time did
not know its ways. and IL Philip had
not caught him he would have gone
heels over head. OF old time, Jacob Ro-
mer would have exploded furiously. But
some new influence was at work. He
actually laughed at the mishap.
Gently does it, he said. resettling
himself. it's that near foreleg But IN
be ready for her tricks next time-skit-
fish little thing,
Yes. sir" said Phil stupidity For if
Mr. Romer had turned somersault in
at the door he could not have been more
astonished than AT this style Of CONVEX
sation proceeding from such a mouth.
Now. Master Phil" he continued, I
] y
dertaking They are not paying you a
wage, l believe-shares. them Yes, We
shall put II AT shares Now. I am In
terested-exceedingly interested IN the
success Of this veBture-yOu really need
/ a new suit OF clothes. Master Phnt And
| If you see your way 70 make over to me
some part OF your shares / would give
you an exceedingly good price for them
/ Think IL over / am not a man 10 force
anything. Only be sure that there IS
nothing but the utmost good will under
/ all this. 1 began late. and YOU will
say that I have good deal of lost time
to make up. True enough Master Phil
But please remember that I was never a
free man before and-ah well-it doesn't
matter"
He said no more, but ambIed off lean
ing heavily on his stick. his figure grow
ing less through the trees. He was evil
IDENTIFY aging, and Phil said 20 himself
that wonders would never cease
To BE CONTINUED TOMORROW.