The Columbus journal., 1908-11-11

fered n silence. with his eye OF TIA
| clock. aud almost danced VIII I'm.
| patience at the hardness Of his de-
parting guests. He accompanied the
last MAJ to the door. and then, GRIM
son witi rage, returned to the bar to
talk to .Ir. Wiggett.
"Wor d'y'r mean by it," he thun-
dered.
Mean by what, Sol?" inquired Mr.
Wiggett. looking up in surprise.
Don't call me Sol. COS won't have
It," vociferated the landlord, standing
over him with his fist clenched. First
thing tomorrow morning on you CO."
"Of?" repeated the other in amaze
ment. "On? Where to-"
Anywhere" said the overweight
landlord; so long as you get out Of
here, don't care where you 60"
Mr.. Wiggett, who was smoking
cigar, the third that evening, laid it
carefully on the table by his side, and
regarded him with tender reproach.
Arrangement" said the mystified
Mr.. Wiggett; what arrangements:
Why, amt seen you for ten years
and more. II it 'adn't been for meet
ing Cap'n Peters"
He was interrupted by frenzied. and
incoherent EXPLANATIONS from Mr..
Ketchmaid.
You rascal" said the landlord, in
stiaed voice. "You internal rescal.
I never set eyes on you till saw you
the other day on the quay at Burnsea,
and. just for an inherent little joke
like with Ned Clark, asked you to
come in and pretend"
Pretend" repeated Mr.. Wiggett, in
a horror-stricken voice.
Look ERE" said Mr.. Ketchmaid,
thrusting an Infatuated face close to
his, there never was Henery Wig
gett; there never was a shark; there
never was a Sam Jones!"
Mr.. Wiggett fumbled in his pocket,
and producing. the remains of dirty
handkerchief, wiped his eyes to the
memory of the faithful black.
Look here" said Mr.. Ketchmaid.
putting down the bottle and regarding
him intently," you've got me fair.
Now, will you go for pound?"
Wiggett took box of matches from
the bar and, relighting the stump of
his cigar. contemplated Mr.. Ketch-
maid for some time in silence, and
then, with serious snake of his head,
stumped of to bed.
A week passed, and Mr.. Wiggett
still graced with his presence the bar
of the Ship.
Il shall tell the chaps tonight that
it was little joke on my part" Ketch-
maid announced, with grim decision;
then I shall take you by the collar
and kick you into the road"
Mr.. Wiggett sighed and shook his
head.
It'll be a terrible show-up for you"
he said, softly. You'd better make it
worth my while, and I'll tell 'em this
evening that I'm going to New Zealand
to live with niece of mine there, and
that you've paid my passage for me.
I don't like telling any more lies, but,
seeing it's for you, I'll do it for a
couple of pounds"
Five shillings," snarled Mr.. Ketch.
maid.
Mr.. Wiggett smiled comfortably and
shock his head. Mr.. Ketchmaid raised
his offer to ten shillings, to a pound,
and finally, after few remarks which
prompted Mr.. Wiggett to state that
hard words broke no bones, flung into
the bar and fetched the money.
The news Of Mr.. Wiggett's depar-
ture went round the village at once.
the landlord himself breaking the
news to the next customer, and an
overflow meeting assembled that even
ing to bid the emigrant farwell.
The landlord noted with pleasure
that business was brisk. Several gen.
tlemen stood drink to Mr.. Wiggett,
and in return he put his hand in his
own pocket and ordered glasses round.
Mr.. Ketchmaid, in state of some I'M
easiness, took the order, and then Mr..
Wiggett, with the air of one confer
ring inestimable benefits, produced
luck half-penny, which had once be-
longed to Sam Jones, and insisted
upon his keeping it.
This is my last night, mates" he
said, mournfully. as he acknowledged
the drinking of his health.
In my lonely pilgrimage through
life. crippled and 'aving to beg my
bread" he said, tearfully, Il shall
think O. this Apply bar and these
friendly faces. When I am wrestlin'
with the pangs of 'unger and being
moved on by the 'eartless police.
shall think of you as l last saw you"
But" said Mr.. Smith, voicing the
general CONSERVATION, you're going
to your niece in New Zealand?"
Mr.. Wiggett shook his head and
smiled a.sad, sweet smile.
Il ave no niece" he said, simply;
I'm alone in the world"
"Ketchmaid told me hisself as he'd
paid your passage to New Zealand"
said the shoemaker; he said as ed
pressed you to stay, but that you said
IS blood was thicker even than friend
ship"
"An lies" said Mr.. Wiggett. sadly.
I'll stay with pleasure II he'll give
the word. I'll stay even now II e
wishes it.
HE don't like my being ERE" he
said. in q low voice. He grudges the
little bit eat, I s'pose. He told me
I'd got to 60. and that for the look O.
things . was going to pretend I was
going to New Zealand. I was too
broke earted at the time to care wot