The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1909-02-27


snow covered box hedges In parallel
lines defined the path to the front gate,
also locked and fastened and, like the
front door. only used on occasions.
There was a large tumbledown barn,
with An empty pigpen back of the
house and henh0use and yard In the
rear Of the barn.
Next door to the left-on the right
was vacant f1eld--was a small story
and half cottage, separated from the
Allen household by board fence. One
Of the boards In this fence had fallen
down. and as Bradley, wading In Miss
Prissy's wake, passed this opening he
saw a girl, apparently abou( his own
age open the back door Of the house
next door and look out. at him. He
wanted to ask who she was, but didn't
feel well enough acquainted with his
guide to do 90 Just yet.
Just az the dozen hens and lonesome
looking rooster were fed--Miss Prissy
Informed him that by and by looking
after the poultry would be one Of his
duties-Miss Tempy's voice was heard
CALLING excitedly from the kitchen door,
"Prissy," "she screamed-"Prissy, come
In the house quickl He's comm! The
cap'n's comin'y'
MY land!" exclaimed the elder sis
ter wildly. and, her dignity forgotten,
she almost ran TO the house, followed
BY Bradley, who didn't understand the
cause Of the excitement.
"Oh, my sakes." calculated Miss
Tempy a. they entered the kitchen,
what made him come so early {?
You'll have to see him first, Prissy.
I've got to Ak my hair"
Miss Prissy rushed into the sitting
room. wheeled chair into place, set q
tidy straight laid the photograph al
bum exactly In the center Of the table
instead Of two inches from the edge
and patted her own hair with her
hands. dodging In front Of the big
gilt framed mirror as she did 30.
Then, az q smart knock sounded on
the dining room door, she assumed her
company" smile and marched sedate-
Iy to receive the visitor.
1t was Captain Titcomb who had
knocked. and after cleaning the snow
from his boots on the ''scraper'' he en-
tered the house, bearing two packages
wrapped In brown paper.
well. Prissy," said the captain, lay
Ing down the packages to shake hands,
how d'you do? Didn't expect to see
me In this port Jest now. did your
mo. indeed. Cap'n Titcomb,' was the
reply. "But we're real glad to see you
all the same. ;.Come right In. Take
your things or. Bradley said he rode
down with you in the coach last night.
Dreadful storm we had. wasn't It?
How's your health nowadays? Walk
right into the sittin' room. You must
excuse the looks of things. I've been
sweepin'."
There was good deal more, but
when Miss Prissy stopped for breath
the captain, who had thrown his cap
ana overcoat on chair, replied that
the storm was bad. that his health was
good and that the room looked "frst
rate" SO far as he could see. Then he
held out his hand to the boy, who had
seated himself ON a chair close to the
door. and said cheerily:
"Mornin'. Brad. Well, how are you
after your shake up last night? Want
seasick after got out, was you?'
Bradley grlnned bashfully and stam-
mered that he was "all right"
Good! We had a rugged trip comm
over, Prissy. The old coach rolled so
l felt like goin' OH deck and shortenin'
sail. Your new boy here's goin' to
make a good sailor, l can see that.
Where's Tempy"
"Oh. she's upstairs for a minute.l
She'll be right down." answered Miss
Prissy carelessly. "Tell me what
brought you home so unexpected"
Sprung a leak and had to lay the
old hooker up for repairs. That's a
speciality Of my owners - repairs.
They'd rather patch up for a hundred
years than build new vessels. IL
Brad. fetch me them bundles out OF
the dinln' ROOM"
Bradley Obediently brought the
brown paper parcels, and the captain
handed one Of them to Miss Prissy.
saying: Here's little somethin' l
picked W, over to New York, Prissy.
though. you might like It, amt
got much use for such things myself"
The lady took the package and began
to unite the string In nervous man.
ner. blushing little as she did SO.
II know It's somethin' nice, Cap'n
Ezra. You do buy the incest things.
It's real kind OF you to remember me
this way. Oh, amt that prettyw
The package contained a Japanese
silk fan. with Ivory sticks and a red
tassel. Miss Prissy opened it and
spread 1t out In her lap, exclaiming
over Its beauty. her face the color of
the tassel.
"Oh. 1t amt nothln'," said the captain.
II did favor for friend of mine