The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1907-01-06

"You did shut il, but. now You speaf
4 of ii, seems 10 me / remember it wa.
I not latched when I come out jest now
I hope he didn't hear. He's such &
sensitive boy, jest like all the Aliens
4 The pepper tea" was prepared-s
double dose this tirne-and the sister;
] sat slipping it. Miss Prissy with many
! coughs and grimaces and Miss Tempy
/ with the appreciation of a connoisseur
| After a moments silence she said:
"Prissy. do you know what I've
| been thinkin'? I've been thinkin
what blessin' 'twould be If we had
Cap'n Titcomb to go TO for advice
now"
"Humph, IF I've thought that once
I've thought it million times in the
last year." was the decided answer.
IT was after 10 o'clock, and only
Bradley's absence had prevented the
ladies from going up to bed, when the
outside door of the dining room open
ed, and the missing boy came in.
Bradley Nickerson, where've you
been?" exclaimed Miss Tempy, run
ming to meet him. We've been pretty
nigh worried to death. Why don't you
shut the door? Who's that out there?
why-why. Cap'n Titcomb"'
Whats thatp cried Miss Prissy,
hurrying in. ''You don't mean
Well, Good evenin'. Cap'n Titcomb-
Won't you step in?"
The captain accepted the invitation.
He was as much embarrassed as the
old maids. even more so than Miss
Prissy who Immediately after a
swift sidel-ng glance Of disapproval at
her agitated sister, assumed an air Of
dignified caimness.
How dye do. Prissy?" stammered
the captain. ''Tempy. hope you're well.
Yes. I'm feelin' fair to middlin'- No.
thanks. / amt goin' to stop long. It's
pretty late for calls. Fact is, Brad
here's got somethin' to say. Heave
ahead, Brad"
The boy, too, was embarrassed, but
as the two looked at him expectantly
he fidgeted with button on his jacket
and said:
miss Prissy, l didn't mean to listen.
but the door wasn't shut tight, and
couldn't help hearing what you and
Miss Tempy were saying little while
ago.
was afraid of that door. You remem-
Der / said so, Prissy.'
But Miss Prissy didn't answer. She
merely looked at Bradley.
II heard what you said" nervously
went on the boy, land when you told
about what you was going to do SOS 1
could go to high school. II thought
first I'd come right in and tell you you
mustn't But then I thought you
wouldn't believe 1 meant 1t or wouldn't
pay any attention TO it if 1 did, SO I
went outside to think it over by my
self And then-then / went right up
to see the cap'n."
81 hope,'' said Miss Prissy sternly,
''that you didn't repeat our talk to
Cap'n Titcomb without tellin' us you
was goin' to-"
mo. no: he didn't" hastily broke in
the captain. He didn't tell a word.
You've got a pretty fair kind of boy
here. if you want to know" he added,
with more than his usual enthusiasm.
HUM was Miss Prissy's only COM
ment go on, Bradley"
'All / told him was" said Bradley
''that didn't think it was right for me
u 20 10 StUOOl anu CelIeSe WIeu l.
ought to be earning some money. I'm
going on seventeen now, and lots Of
fellows / know are going to work. l
don't b'lieve I'd make very good
minister" with look of appeal at
Miss Tempy, land I'd good deal
rather go to sea. All our folks have
been to sea-my father and my grand
father. Yes, and your father, too, you
know" The last as a happy inspira-
ton.
Don't you think that we know best
what began Miss Prissy. but the
captain again interrupted her.
Let him spin his yarn, Prissy,' he
said. ''Nothin' is settled yet, so don't
worry.
$50 I went to the cap'n," went on
Bradley, "and asked him if he'd take
me on board his schooner. / amt a
sailor, but / know lot about boats,
and 1 don't get seasick even when it's
mighty rough. Do 1, Cap'n Ezra?"
NO" replied Captain Titcomb grave
". You manage to keep your cargo
from shiftin' pretty well for a green
hand"
"And he said he'd take me as a kind
of cabin boy. Didn't you. cap'n? And
learn me things and get me advanced
as soon as l was fit for it. And he'll
pay me wages, too. right away. There!
And / won't cost you a cent more.
Please let me co.
The captain did not again visit the
Allen home, although next day Bradley
called en- him at his room in the hotel
They talked of the proposed plan. OF
course, but Captain Titcomb did not
urge its acceptance. On the contrary.
he spoke very plainly of the disagree
able features Of a sailors calling and
limited that being aboard a vessel was
like being in jail. Only he said, |
there's always chance for a Teller to /
break out of JAIL
AT the end of the interview he said: |
Brad, l amt askin' any questions
bout what made you take this sudden |
fit. but I'd like to know this: Do the
old maids know bout that Sampson i
fund for sailors children? They could |
git over hundred a year out of that |
If they applied for it. you understand %
Il don't believe they'd take a cent if
1t was anything like charity replied
the boy. Miss PriSSy especial. She's |