The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-19

obvious misfit-the rolling stone. the lad that nobody thinks good for any thing. He's only got me- she says. She tells herself blessings on her true little Christian sowD that she will make man of him yet! And that's what our Vida is a-fixin' up wid her self that she will do with this doe- tors young spalpeena"
 But Philip Calmont is no good-for- nothing" said Honest Dick, who also could stick up for his friends; "he IS worth his wage anywhere. and can do good days work with any man. l have seen himw
 Granted" said Billy, but he has no right trade to his fingers and is past the age to learn one. They only keep him on at the pits till they they get a man Tn Vic Morrls's place. He is only gummed on there, and the gum Is cheap stuff, too"
 Dick sigh ed. He liked Phil, for which liking he had his reasons.
 T am ra1e vexed ye dinna tax to the lad, Billy" he said; "Phils a good boy, oonsiderin' his upb pbringin'-for his kin dred are lighter than the thistle-dow VII. But he has aye been grave beyond ms years. Are we to forbid the laddie the hoose?"
 Billy held up his hands in astonish- ment at the simplicity ofshis co-parent.
 Its little ye are yet in the road Of learnin' about wemen," said Billy se- verely. Forbid him the house. Is It that ye want our bit lass to fly up through the roof like rocket up chimbly? Is that how ye would nave her to be leavin' us?
 No? Well, then, sit down, Dicky, and set your brains a-steep. The aues- ton Is just how we are to keep the bit hut al in of a mornin', or set things to rights while we take turns at the telescope in the afternoon. To tell you the truth, Dicky, I have been thinkin' it over Tor some time. I saw from the first that she looked as cold at the engineer chap as frozen Australia mutton when IL comes from the1efrigerators. How dia know? Why&-by little Molly that loved me, but married the ships car penter lme havin' been lost overpoard)' No. Dicky Finnan, Vic Morris was nev- CT the man-not If he had been stuck all over with life-saving medals, vic toria crosses and such like, like 8 man in armour in a museum. But at thls one she looks-to see If he has wet ms feet. And makes him mind about the comforter about his neck when he goes away-stands on tip-toe to tuck It In. T"other night she took out pair ol your socks. Dicky, and made him maren upstairs and change. And tonight l saw her darnin hole in the heel. she had washed them her own self.
 "Nell. why shouldn't she?" said DICK. she darns yours and mine, doesn't she?"
 Billy. the Man of Experience, slapped his knee with weary air, as ne eN- plained to Dick that he had no more qumption than the father of Kerry mule. and that words like those or sol- omon were wasted on him. But tnat the short and the long Of It was ehae he. Billy Bryan, thought of setting up the young people
 "set yourself ID firstw retorted Dick Finnan; you, a first division light houseman, with the prospect Of an or dinary pension within six months-noW can you give away fortunesT
 Billy Bryan pointed to the piano Ill the corner.
 How did I give away that?' he in ouired, somewhat pertinently.
 But they can't set up house Tn piano. eat and drink in piano, i've in a pianop
 Billy wisely shook his head as ne looked the cottage Broadwood all over.
 "well. not exactly in that one, ne admitted But wait. Did ye yer Know Billy Bryan without two strings to ms how or two plans in his head!
 eyes. once!" Dick grinned largely. For if was A sore memory to the Irish- man. and had to do with scapegrace bov called Sir Toady Lion and iittle girl called Saucy Easdaile.
 "Oh. that said Billy. surlily' iVe heard enough about thati
 well, you asked, you know? salo Dick. grinning still wider.
 eve were speaking of our little maid. and what to do with her, if she has made up her mind. I'll tell you how if is. Dicky. Directly I saw that tn ere was no hope for that chap with the iaw-the engineer-him that went to Snafn-I got a little information out of him before it was too late"
 .what about?" asked Dick, suddenly ironical; "the investment of your TOT tune in mining shares maybe, Now. I believe I did hear that seaguIi out on the Skerry died and left you all us property" ,,, r.
 Might ha' been. said Billy Bryan coollv, "only it wasn't. My Uncle Bar nv was the seagull- He went to Amer ica and as he had been the greatest fool in ten parishes at home. naturally he got elected out there Into them things they call 1egislatives. The fanks get the Irish to do that sort pusi- ness for them. being too proud l ex nect-sort O scavenger work, l judge. Politics, they call It. only insteau VI bav,n, to do with sarts and such like, ifs just sweepin' up the riff-raff ana brin gin them to vote at the proper day and hour Anyway my Uncle Bar nv made a fortune politicioning in ht- +la old New York Then he died ana 1eft if all to me and my brother Ilm' what was eaten by a shark at Columpo on board the Castalia. So l collar .he load. and I have kept it till no"-ne thinkin' of our little lass oe'hs aone @ the worse of few halfpence one fine day" o ,,
 "It's one of your Skerry rock yarns he said: you don't-expect an old man like me to strain himself pelieVih that"
 "By the dure-step that ripped up Sap rhira< the wife of Ananias, l am tellii. ye no lie-not even flavorin the tru.'. with a little essence of Blarney. us a case of the gospel as 1t was aeiiV- cred unto Moses. And if you don't be- 1ieve I'll take whack at the rock just like he up and did. Your nead will do. Dick 'Tis thick enough!
 And in the face of these the most sacred oaths known to his lire tune friend. the Skerry lighthouseman n, DICK Finnan became aware that Billy Bryan spoke the truth At last he sat smok ing face to face with a rich man. With a large and copious gesture of apology he rose and offered Billy Bryan, as ms tested rirrt, the bigger arm chair.
 And what are ye thinkin' of doin with your uncle's American scayenger- in money?" Dick asked presently, lean