The Virginia enterprise., 1908-11-13

He was interrupted by frenzie6 and
incoherent exclamations from Mr.
Ketchmaid. :.'''.s''''f' a''
"You rascal" said the landlord. IN
stifled voice. ''You internal rescal
never set eyes on you till I saw you
| the other day on the quay at Burnsea
and, just for an innercent little joke
like with Ned Clark, asked you t.
come in and Pretend, /. .-,fe
"Pretend!' repeated Mr., Wlggett. N
a horror-stricken voice. n.,
Look ERE" said Mr.. Ketchmaid
thrusting- an infuriated face close tc
his, there never was a Henery Wig
gett; there never was a shark; there
never was Sam Jones!"
Mr.. Wiggett fumbled in his pocket
and producing the remains of a 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 a 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, anG
then, with serious shake of his head
.stumped of to bed.
A week passed, and Mr.. Wiggett
still graced with his presence the bal
of the Ship.
Il shall tell the chaps tonight tha,
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 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 a 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, III 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 pound,
and inally, 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 a state of some un.
easiness, took the order, and then Mr..
Wiggett, with the air of one confer,
ling 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 'aying to beg my
bread" he said, tearfully, Il shall
think O this 'appy bar and these
friendly faces. When l am wrestlin'
with the pangs of 'unger and being
moved on by the 'eartless police, l
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 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
rs blood was thicker even than friend
Ship
"All lies" said Mr. Wiggett, sadly.
'1'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 a low voice He grudges the
little bit l eat, s'pose. He told me
Id got to go, and that for the look O.
things e was going to pretend l was
going to New Zealand. was too
broke earted at the time to care wot
he said-I ave no wish to sponge on
no man-but, seeing your 'onest faces
round me, couldn't go with lie on
my lips-Sol Ketchmaid, old shipmate
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
hard road, died slowly away in the
distance. Inside the Ship the shoe.
maker gave an ominous order for lem
Onade.