The enterprise. [volume] (Harlem, Mont.) 1899-1926, 1908-11-11

CA6dl, lHc IHIIu IudC cVculuS, ldAu ~
carefully on the table by his side, and
regarded him with tender reproach.
Arrangement" said the mystified
Mr.. Wiggett; what arrangements?
Why, 1 amt seen you for ten years
and more. If 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
stifled voice. you Internal rescal.
l 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
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 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 a serious shake of his head,
stumped off to bed.
A week passed, and Mr.. Wiggett
still graced with his presence the bar
of the Ship
II shall tell the chaps tonight that
it was little joke on my part Ketch-
maid announced, with grim decision;
then l shall take you by the collar
and kick you into the road
Nh 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.
l 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
shook 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-
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 a state of some I'M
easiness, took the ORDER and then Mr..
Wiggett, with the air of one confer
ring inestimable benefits, produced a
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, 81 shall
think O. this 'appy 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 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 sad, sweet smile.
81 ave no niece" he said, simply;
"Im alone in the world"
"Ketcllmaid 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
as blood was thicker even than friend
ship"
"All les" said Mr.. Wiggett, sadly.
''I'll stay with pleasure if he'll give
the word. I'll stay even now if e
wishes it
HE don't like my being ere" he
said, in low voice. He grudges the
little bit | eat, l s'pose. He told me
I'd got to CO., and that for the look O.
things e was going to pretend l was
going to New Zealand. l was too
broke 'earted at the time to care wot
he said ave no wish to sponge on
no man-but, seeing your 'onest faces
round me, l couldn't go with lie on
my lips-Sol Ketchmaid, old shpmate
goodbye"
He turned to the speechless land
lord, made as though to shake hands
with him. thought better of it,, and
then, with a wave of his hand full OF
chastened dignity, withdrew. His
stump rang with pathetic insistence
upon the brick-paved passage. paused
at the door, and then, tapping on the