The Elbert County tribune., 1908-06-25


disgust overshadowing his features.
Mr.. Walter Somers, better known in
the vaudeville world as Signor Gal
laci, ventriloquist, sleight-of-hand per-
former and general dealer in magic.
reclfned on the sofa and eyed his host
with plying smile He could ar
ford to smile. for the recent war be-
tween rival theatrical syndicates had
resulted In an exceedingly profitable
season for him at a preposterous sal
ary. and, therefore, the world looked
pleasant in his eyes.
As far as the financial situation was
concerned, DIR. Corbus had also every
reason to view the world through rose
colored glasses. He was 35, blessed
with good practice, a reputation sec
ond to none among the younger mem
bers OF Chicagos medical fraternity.
and the possessor of handsome
brown-stone home on Michigan ave
nue., where his bachelor wants were
administered to faithfully by an old
housekeeper who was thoroughly reli-
able. and devoted to his interests.
Yet there was a rift within the lutte
which threatened to introduce dis
cord into the music of his existence
For Corbus was very much in love,
and unkind fate had seen fit to in
terpose between him and the object
OF his affections. Briefly, the facts
In his case were as follows:
He had fallen a victim to the
charms of one Nancy Chubb. daugh-
ter of Capt. John Chubb. skipper Of
the cargo steamer Grenville, sailing
between Chicago and Buffalo. And,
quite in the recognized style of the
romantic novel, it was the obdurate
father of the fair damsel who became
the stumbling block in loves peaceful
pathway. For. while Nancy was
willin'," Chubb senior exploded in a
fine fit of frenzy when the subject of
marriage was broached by the anxious
suitor. Doctors were butchers and
thieves at their best, he declared tenn
pestuously. and no daughter of his
should ever sign articles with one
while he remained alive on the face
of the earth. Such was the choleric
captains ultimatum and DIR. Corbus
was much depressed in spirit thereby
On this particular night he had
sought relief from his melancholy
musings by pouring his tale of woe
into Somers sympathizing ears.
Its pity remarked Mr.. Somers.
breaking silence of several minutes
duration, that it never fell to your
lot to attend old Chubb professionally
and thereby earn his dying. or undy-
ing, gratitude, as the case might be-"
I'D operate on him with extreme
pleasure" responded the doctor vim
dictively; but heaven knows there's
no chance of that. He's too Internal
ly healthy"
Doesn't he drink a good deal?"
queried Somers.
"A lot of difference that makes" re-
turned his host contemptuously. Hes
as strong as whale and as tough as
rhinoceros. The liquor isn't dis
titled that could feaze his old hulk"
Mr.. Somers chewed his cigar medi-
tatively for few moments. Then
he suddenly sat up and smote the
sofa cushion with his fist.
'Ive got It," he announced jubf.
lantly. Put yourself in my hands.
Dick, and we'll jolly well get the
weather gauge of the old captain, as
the nautical sharps say. Chubb
doesn't know me. but his first mate,
Ben Paisley, does, and Ben is
mighty good sort of fellow. / did him
a turn once, and he'll stand by what
ever l tell him. The question is this:
When the Grenville sails for Buffalo
next Thursday will you pack your
traps and take voyage on her with
me?"
The doctor stared. 81 don't see"
he began. but Somers checked him
with a grandiloquent wave of his
hand.
"Of course you don't. old chap; but
you will when l explain"
He bent forward and in a few rap
idly spoken sentences expounded the
plot which had matured in his fertile
mind.
Corbus drew deep breath when he
had finished.
Its a wild scheme, Walter" he
said reflectively; but still there's a |
chance. If Paisley only agrees to |
help US"
Now see here" interrupted his
friend. "fll answer for Paisley. All |
we have to do is visit the agents of |
the company that owns the Grenville
and secure our berths. She doesn't |
carry passengers ordinarily and
there'll be only Paisley and ourselves
in the game"
The unexpected arrival of Messrs.
Corbus and Somers on board the good
ship Grenville was anything but a
source of unqualified pleasure to her
irascible commander. In the first
place he looked upon passengers as
so much useless lumber, and second
ly, the sight of his would-be son-in-law
was distinctly aggravating. Even the
information, contributed