Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-01-04

uIu IlCSVOl MSIAll duu w dlISl Nj Il
ling.
But the man most gravely interest
ed, after Billy Bryan, did not follow
their example. Mr.. Jacob Romer did
not laugh. He Informed himself, how
ever.
Now Jacob Romer had been occu-
pied for some time with a grave op-
GRAFTON. having for It's object the turn
ing Of al 1.-The Incubus properties into
a limited company. Everything had
gone to his satisfaction. Half of his
entire holding he would receive in
cash. Kahn was to remain as mana
ger-director. The name of Romer was
to disappear from the concedn. He
would be simply Mr.. Romer of CORN
Castle, of whose wealth nc man knew
the figure, Of unimpeachable CONNER
cial credit and conduct - but with
a daughter who preferred to live
with a couple Of old lighthousemen on
a rocky %promontory, a couple of miles
awayt
Eased Of the daily cares of his own
affairs. Jacob Romer made pilgrim
ages at carefully spaced intervals to
watch the growth of the new install
lation at Portogarten.
From the first the little house on
the Rough Isle Peninsula was gay
with flowers. The foundation of the
lighthouse on the point we're cut out
Of the solid rock, concerted. dovetail.
ed. fitted like a puzzle. At last the
dainty white shaft began to rise. I'm
Gle Barny's money was flowing brave
ly in that direction. But up con the
butt of the sheugh," as they called it
the wary experienced eye of the an
cient ~pit-caster saw that all was mo-
going So well. This was in mo wise the
fault of Phil Calmont. who, having
much at stake, worked early. and late
But "sinkers" are a difficult and ext
gent set and must have their none.
on the instant = If not some time be
fore. Otherwise, what the local polic'
call disturbances" and those con
cerned "ructions,' are apt to rise witt
cyclonic suddenness.
Then sometimes Uncle Barny's do
; lars, though doubtless on the way
failed to connect, and the business o!
: the top Of the Port Heugh was in dar
!: ger of failing also. 1t was when thes
| crises We're growing more frequen
that Mr.. Romer, having left his ca,
riage behind. strolled up to the ne
!, works to see the manager. He lIke
to talk to him.
: Some who had worked for him owe
:, at Kirktown affirmed that there wa
9 bound to be a laugh somewhere III
: der the old mans waistcoat!'
But they were wrong. Jacob Rome
was merely feeling his wav to a kin
action. He had not often put himse
: about for the purpose during his lif
and, to tell the truth, was a little OF
OF practice.
Indeed he went clumsilv enough
work. First he bemoaned his W 10!
Of an occupation. He had not even
! hobby. and he refrained from "la
guage" when Phil in the innocen'
of his sold suggested photography
stamp-col'ecting!
81 am one of the unemployed now
he said. II hope you don't mind an Q
20 digger coming up here sometimes
knew your father and all that - 6
!. our lives. In fact - good fellow. G:
mont And you are shaDing very ia
> ly since you left us. But you wor
- mind me saying that you need groun
ing. Well. you will get 1t before "
- are through"
Jacob Romer did not say more
~ the moment. but each tine he car
he added a little more, He was kin
- lv, too and after a while our lone
Phil became mere and more glad
=, see the old man in the gray suit, t
~ !, tight, close cropped whiskers a
u, shaven face, coming slowly
through the scattered haaels a
b'rches on Portogarten slope. Son
times he would send his coachman
up to the little inn at the Port te
ing him to return in an hour. TIL
he would talk to Phil till the carria
came back.
I'm not here in the interests
Incubus & Co, you know" Mr.. ]
mer would say; 81 leave all that
and - I take an interest in the
good folk down there"
He pointed to the lighthouse a
there was a twinkle in his eye.
They are building, a tower
sinking a pit at the same time
said: land fear they have ne
(what is IT'D sat down and coun
the cost | have no experience in t.
ers, and the Lighthouse Board n
help. But 7 know all about this b.
ness OF Dlt-SlnklnS, ana II gets iIu
the dollars quicker than skimm
them into the sea. Ell. Master Phili,
Phil nodded a grave assent. and
this the old man sat down on the o
available chair. cane-bottomed. roc
and much-mended - but, when
knew its ways, comfortable.
However Mr., Romer at this Il
did not know its ways and if Phi
had not caught him he would h
gone heels over head. Of old time
. cob Romer would have exploded