Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1908-05-06

and treated him with an engaging
mixture OF respect and paternalism;
and Skiddy, not to be behindhand, and
dazzled. besides. by his elders marked
regard and friendship. threw wide the
consular door and constantly pressed
on Satterlee the hospitality of a cot
on the back veranda
The little consul had never known
such a man; he had never heard such
talk; he had never before realized the
extent and splendor of the world
Sitting In the cabin of the Southern
Belle. often far into the night, he
would give rapt attention to this ex-
traordinary being who had done
everything and seen everything. Paris,
London, Constantinople, New York,
all were as familiar to Satterlee as the
palm of his hand. and he had the
storytelling gift that can throw a
glamor over the humblest incident.
1t is a sad commentary on human
nature that 1t is so easily deceived. A
glib tongue, an attractive manner, a
Few hundred dollars thrown carelessly
about. and presto! you have tie coun-
terfeit of Cecil Rhodes We are not
only willing to take people at their
own valuation, but are ever ready to
multiply that valuation by ten. OBJ
trude romance-rich, stirring romance
into the lives of commonplace peo-
pie and they instantly lose their
heads. Romance, more than cupidity.
Is what attracts the gold-brick in
weston.
or course Satterlee was a poser. a
fraud, liar; the highest type, OF Ear;
the day-dreaming, well-read. genuine
ly inventive. highly imaginative. low
ing-itfor-its-own-saBe liar. But to
Skiddy every word he said was gospe;
true. He never doubted the captain
for an instant. Life grew richer to
him, stranger and more wonderful. It
was like personal distinction-a
medal, or the thanks Of congress-
mat Satterlee should thus have sin.
gled him out His gratitude was I'M
bounded He felt both humble and
elated. His cup was trimming over.
AS the time began 10 draw near for
the monthly mail from San Francisco
Satterlee got restless and talked re-
gretfully of leaving He gave q great
=. =. {. bargain day on board the
southern Belle, where sandwiches and
bottled beer were served 10 all corners
and goods changed hands at ac.onisb.
ing prices; coal oil at one seyentv.fve
case; UNDERGROUND kegs Of beef a
four dollars turkeyred cotton al six
cents yard; square face at 30 cents
bottle. and similar cuts in all the
standard commodities. There was no
custom house In those days and Won
were free TO carry everything ashore
unchallenged. A matter OF so tons
must nave been landed all round the
peach; and the pandemonium at the
gangway. the crush and jostle in the
trade room, and the steady hosting
out OF fresh merchandise from the
main hold made a very passable
South Sea imitation Of a New York
department store At any rate there
was the same loss Of temper. the
same harassed expression on tho
faces OF the purchasers, and the same
difficulty in getting change. AS like
as not you had to take 1.-THE change
in the form of Jews harps. screw
eyes, or anything small and handy
that happened TO be near by. IL was
the most lightning performance Apia
had ever witnessed. and the captain
carried IL on In brisk. smiling way.
as though IL was the best Joke I'm the
world and he was only doing It all for
| fun.
Unfortunate captain! Unhappy des.
day that brought In the Gail cutter