Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1908-12-09

AACAANA4ADGA lAG WlAlck ludl COU1-
ing" said another. land let's pitch his
fish over the side dreckly he comes Into
harbor |"
NAY, let's prevent him landin' Mt
all,' suggested third. Let's out WI
the boom, SOS he can't get In"
The entrance to Polpenny harbor was
passage between two rocky cliffs, at
the outside twenty-five feet wide; and
the boom was heavy beam. which was
placed across this entrance on stormy
nights, to serve the double purpose Of
breaking the force of the waves, and
preventing any Of the boats being
washed out to sea.
The village policeman. who had been
listening with interest, entered an off,
,cial protest.
Look here, mates" he said, II doan't
say as ,doan't sympathize WI ZEE; but
the laws the law, and I've got to do my
duty. Anyone Us Illegally prevents
ship from entering VII ha' to be ar
rested!"
"All right, Ned" exclaimed Bob Pen
gelly. "Us won't do anything Illegal"
illegal or not, us have got to keep
that chap hanging about outside with
his cargo till it's gone bad" said an
old fisherman surlily.
"He's took up WI Trevena's daugh-
ter" jeered another, 80 o course he
stands up for the old skinfint L"
Its all or with Trevena's daughter"
declared Bob hotiy,-and 1 be going to
teach Trevena legal lesson all by my
self!"
He jumped into big, clumsy, leaky
old rowing-boat, such as you may see
rotting in any harbor. She was already
half full, and he made no attempt to
bail her out, but pushed of, standing in
the water up to his knees. By the time
he had poled the boat across the basin
she was in imminent danger Of sinking !;
but he managed to keep her afioat till
the fairway was reached; and then he
let her sink as nearly as possible In
the middle, and swan back to his
mates on the quay.
"There!" he laughed to the constable.
II couldn't help having an accident, and
getting sunk right In the harbor mouth,
could II"
With her deeper draught, no steamer
could enter that shallow little harbor
now, however high the tide, but the
light, handy little fsher-boats could
| 60 in and out as usual.
Hes done me-" said John Trevena
to his daughter. "By shutdown they'll
have to throw the lot overheard, and l
shall have to pay just the same"
at was too bad of you, father, to buy
them at ALL" Hilda answered. "You
ought to have thought Of the fisher
men!"
Hold your tongue" he said angrily.
Cant make bargain when it's Of
fered me?"
He stood thinking.
THAT fish could be landed In the
steamers boats as sure as my names
John!" he announced. He took down
his fowling-piece, and deliberately load
ed 1t.
"oh, father!" Hlda exclaimed,
aghast.
BE quiet" he snapped, and stalked
out to the group on the quay.
"Those pilchards are coming ashore
now, my lads!" he said determinedly.
Cowed, each afraid that If John Ire
vena fred he would be hit, they stayed,
and watched in sullen silence until the
last boatload had been carried into the
factory.
Fearing that the factory would be
broken into in the night and the fish
destroyed, John Trevena insisted upon
keeping watch there with his fowling-
piece
Hilda, alone in the house, tossed un-
happily in her bed. She was utterly
miserable, and could not sleep.
Suddenly she jumped out Of bed and
ran to the window, frightened by IN
unnatural glare in the sky. The fish
factory was on fire. Some ungoverna-
BILE spirits among the fishermen had
chosen that way of revenging them
selves
Hastily throwing on some clothes, she
rushed out, making her way through
the crowd Of onlookers straight to Bob
Pengelly, their quarrel forgotten, her
instinct urging her to turn to the man
she loved.
where's my father?" she cried, lay.
ing trembling hand upon his arm.
isn't he at home in bed?" Bob ouer-
led anxiously.
no." she moaned. @He would spend
the night In the factory on guard! oh,
save him, Bob" she pleaded. "He
didn't really mean any harm! Don't
let him be burnt to DEATH"
"I'll save him, DEAR" Bob answered,
shortly. "This be none o. my work."
And without more ado he plunged
into the flames.
The acrid smoke which arose from
the coarse pilchard oil as 1t burned, and
the hot cir he had perforce to breathe,
scorched his lungs; but he CROPPED
about until he found the body of John
Trevena lying on the floor. Each breath
was likes stab with a red hot iron,
and he dared not open his eyes. Blind
~, desperately, he dragged the uncon-
scious man along, until his head swan,
and his legs gave way beneath him.
Struggling up again by superhuman
effort, he managed to regain the open
air with his burden, and, fell in dead
faint at Hildas feet.
An hour later he lay In a bed In John
Trevena's house, with Hilda and the
doctor standing over him.
Now am allowed to speak again."
said Bob Pengelly, in a thin, husky
whisper, II should like to tell you how
grateful l am and how much l love
you'll"
He raised his head, and kissed her
full upon the lips.
"There, dear" he whispered, in the
same wheezy, asthma tical voice.
"Us'll not quarrel again. And you'll
try, sweetheart, to learn to like my sing
ing, won't your"
HYour-your voice will o1wo vo no lilo