Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-09-26
CHAPTER xxx.
Alleys Cooking and Beth's Despair

partners mace their temporary nome. IL was
nearly dusk, the mellow end of balmy day.
Gettysburg, Napoleon, and Dave were all in
side the canvas, filling the small cube of air
with mighty reek from their pipes and playing
seven-up on greasy box. The Chinese cook
was away much to Vans surprise.
"Gett," he said, throwing off his belt and re-
volver, eff Nap to deal the cards on your
tombstone, on the day of Gabriels trump, I'll
bet you'd break the crust and take hand.
What have you done with Algy?"
Hes went to git job" said Gettysburg.
"He called us all a lot of babies l doggone
near kicked him in the lung.
Outside, where a wagon had halted with
Vans purchases, the driver hauled out
two respectable boxes and dropped them on the
earth.
Whats that" demanded Napoleon, leap
ing to his feet. "f it's pirates come to board
don't scare it away" Van interrupted
warningly. Its grub"
for the door of the tent. Van followed, pre-
pared to get dinner under way, since his sys-
tenn was woefully empty.
was busting up the hill. 1t was Mrs.
Dick
where's Van?" she painted, while still
rod away Here, Vanl" she exclaimed, the
moment she clapped her eyes upon him.
you're just the one l want to see, and I'm
an awful busy woman; but I've got to make
a deal with you, and the sooner it's over the
better. So, as long as Charlie Sing is cookin'
our victuals already just run up to fight it
out, and we might as well begin the program
tonight: so all you boys come down to dinner
in Just about half an hour
The men were all at sea, even Napoleon, who
had once sailed a near-briny river.
''Sit down." said Van, and give the grounds
a chance to settle. We can almost see daylight
through what you said; but who for instance,
is Charlie Sing?"
warmly. eff you think I'm going to call that
Chinaman Algy, or anything white, you're way
off your ca-base Algy! for Chinaman! Not
him as friend of yours,-and him almost
maxim me cry, with his tryin' to nurse you
four old helpless galoots,-but draw line at
fancy names, and don't you forget It'll"
in bewilderment.
Van led Mrs. Dick gently but firmly to
box of provisions and pushed her down on it.
Now take breath" he said, and listen!
Do we understand you to say that Algy has
gone to your boarding house and taken job
as cook"
"He has" said Mrs. Dick; but I've named
him Charlie
"Thatn turn his stomick," ventured Gettys-
burg gravey He was proud of Agy added
Van. II don't quite savvy how it happened"
"Oh, you dont?" said little Mrs Dick.
"Well, do! He come down there and says to
me, says he We're broke, Van and u.s. he
says, and III 60 to work and cook for you if
you'll board all the family words to that
effect, says he, and give Van twenty dollars
month salary he says and l says Ill do it,
quicker than scat And that's all there is to
say-ani if Charlie wasn't Chinaman I'd kiss
him in the bargain!" With quick impatient
gesture she made daub at her eye and 1ecked
away jewel.
VAN hauled at his collar, which was loose
enough around his neck. Say, boys, he
said, think of Algy being kissed in the bar
gain! l always thought he got his face at
bargain counter"
That's all right Bronson Van Buren," an
swered Mrs. Dick Indignantly; but l never
come that near to kissin' you'll
Van suddenly swooped down upon her.
picked her up bodily, and kissed her on the
cheek. Then he placed her again on the box.
why didn't you say what you wanted,
earlier?" he said. "Now don't talk back l
want you to listen to me. I'm perfectly will
ing that Algy should waste his sweetness on
the desert air of your boarding house, if it
pleases you and him. I'm willing these old
galoots should continue to eat his fascinating
poisons and certainly hope he'll draw. his
monthly wage; but I'm going to be too busy
to board in any one place, and Algy's salary
would make a load l must certainly decline to
carry!"
Mrs. Dick looked at the horseman in utter