The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1907-02-03
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rer rne employ of ITtcomb & Nicker-
son. to whom he had contemptuously
referred as .anchor draggers." But If
Bradley supposed for a moment that
Sam would change his patronizinS at
titude because of the move he was
much mistaken. Mr.. Hammond laugh
ed when he boarded the Lizzie. asked
facetiously if "this was the vessel or
only the long boatT' and poked fun at
the whole outfit generally He gave
each member of the crew to under
stand that he was only doing this for
awhile to help out Brad. He said that
puttering around this way was such
change for him that it was the best
fun of his vacation.
He took pains TO make his position
plain in the minds of the townspeople.
CAPTAIN Jabez Bailey told Bradley in
confidential whisper: ITS mighty good
of Sam to turn to and help you and
Ez out of a hole. / hope you appre-
ciate it, Bradley said he appreciated
it fully.
Even Gus was inclined to view the
matter in that light. Sam saw to it
| that she did He called at the Baker
homestead pretty often, and when
Bradley was there treated the latter in
a Jolly, good fellow sort of way that
couldn't well be resented, but which
had always in it that aggravating fla
vor of plying patronage.
Bradley felt that he was placed in an
awkward and humiliating position. He
told Gus so plainly.
Gus" he asked, do you think It's
fair to allow Sam to call here as he
does 2"
| A more experienced ladies' man
Captain Titcomb. for instance-would
not have selected this particular even
ing to bring up this particular subject.
Gus was in one of her uncertain moods.
She had refused to be serious before,
and she was not serious now.
"Why. Bradley Nickersonr" she ex-
| claimed, with a laugh. Il do believe
| you're jealous!'
| mo, I'm not Jealous exactly But
| why do you let him come heref'
! Brad. don't you trust mef'
"Of course / trust you.'
.'Then why are you suspicious or
what are you afraid OFF,
This very direct question was en-
barrassing Bradley felt certain that
he had good reason to be suspicious OF
Hammond's intentions, but he knew
he had no actual proof that would war
rant his saying so. He stammered and
could reply only that he didn't like the
fellows calling SO often.
Bradley went home injured and re-
sentful. He made up his mind that
Gus shouldn't have another chance to
Fall him Jealous" He could show
her that there were others who didn't
| care
| He plunged into business deeper than
ever The diving outfit came from
Boston and worked well. They visited
the sunken tar schooner. and Sam
made his first dive. Captain Titcomb.
who understood the apparatus. worked
the pump. Sam reported that the tar
seemed to be in good condition, and
that. for the present, they could get
up number of the barrels through the
hatchway. Later they might have to
blow away part Of the hull.
So every fair day they worked over
the wreck Sam, in the divers suit.
clambered down into the submerged
vessels hold and attached the barrels
! to the tackle. Then by the aid of the
I windlass they were hauled up and
swung aboard the Lizzie. BY the first
! Of October they had already got out
over 200 barrels, and Sam said that
he saw no reason why all of the 500
might not be secured in the course of
| time The tar speculation was already
| a very profitable one, and the credit
belonged to Bradley.
There was to be what the posters
| called "a grand select subscription
BALI at the Orham town hall on the
| evening of Oct. 10. Gus had express
| ed desire to go to the ball. and
Bradley had subscribed-that is to say.
he had paid So for a ticket admitting
''gent and two ladies'"
He dressed for the affair when the
evening came with no very pleasant
anticipatious. The relations between
Gus and himself had not improved
since the disagreement over Sans Wis
| its.
| The partners were expecting check
! from New Bedford in payment Of the
first shipment of tar, and, as it was
early when Bradley finished dressing,
he determined to go down to the post
office before calling for Gus. Captain
Titcomb was out of town. He had not
told where he was going, merely OBJ
serving that he wanted a couple OF
days off for private business. What
the private business was he did not
/ state.
| The expected check did not arrive on
that mail. and as Bradley came down
| the postoffice steps some one laid q
heavy hand on his shoulder. He turn
| ed with a start.
why. hello. Cap'n Err he exclaim
ed. You back again.
/ The captain hooked his arm into that
of his companion and led the way
through the crowd of loungers on the
sidewalk. Bradley protested.
''Capn Ez, wait till some other time.
I must
| '.Shut up. I'm so full of steam I'll
bile over in a minute. This amt fool
/ in: it's business
He dragged his puzzled partner
( along the sidewalk and across the road