Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-02-06


interrupted Come up bright and
smilin', eigh? Now l guess en-
phasis mare it clear that the captain
believed himself TO be employing an
Americanism; and SO successful was
he in his own esteem that he could
not resist the temptation to improve
upon the mitation-"Na-ow l guess
yeou're abaout right ready, bent We,
to hev drink, sonny?"
mo, thank you" said Kirkwood
smiling tolerantly give got my
amount of appetite g 3 +"
cave you, now?" Stryker dropped
his mimicry and glanced at the clock
Breakfast he announced, will be
served in the myne dinin' saloon at
eight a. m. Passengers is requested
not to be lyte at tyble."
Depositing the bottle on the said
table, the captain searched until he
found another glass for kirkwood,
and sat down
do you good he insinuated, push
ing the bottle gently over.
NO, thank you" reiterated Kirk
wood shortly, a little annoyed.
Stryker seized his own glass, pour
ed out strong mans dose of the
fiery concoction, gulped it down. and
sighed. Then, with glance at the
Americans woebegone countenance
(I<irkwood was contemplating four
hour wait for breakfast, and, conse-
quently, looking as if he had lost his
last friend), the captain bent over,
placing both hands palm down before
him and wagging his head earnestly
Please" he implored-"Please
don't let me himterrupt," and filed his
pipe pretending pensive detachment
| from his company
The fumes Of burning shay sharp,
ened the too of desire Kirkwood
stood it as long as he could, then sur
rendered with an: If you've got any
more of that tobacco, Captain, I'd be
| glad of pipe"
An intensely contemplative express
sion crept into the captains small blue
eyes.
81 only got one other pyper of this
ere baccy," he announced at length
land | carn't get no more till gets
'ome. l simply couldn't part with il
hunder art a quid."
AL hNoco ,SClliSNl blSN WILL q hoPS
less lift of his shoulders. Abstractedl1
Stryker pulled the smoke his way I'm
til he could endure the deprivation nc
longer.
81 had about ten shillings in ny
pocket when I came aboard, captain
and a few other articles
COW, yes; so you 'ad, now you men
ton it."
Stryker rose, ambled into his room
and returned with Kirkwood's posses
sions and fresh paper of shag
While the young man was hastil,
filling, lighting, and inhaling the frs
strangling~ but delectable Whit, tn
captain solemnly counted into his owl
palm all the loose change except tire
large pennies. The latter he shove,
to kirkwood in company with a mis-
cellaneous assortment of articles
which the American picked up piec
by piece and began to bestow abou
his clothing. When through, he sa
back, troubled and Disguised. Stryke
! met his regard blandly
Anything l can do?" he inquired, i
suave concern.
"Why < there was a black peal
, scarf-pin-"
"W'y don't you remember. 70
gave that to me, count OF me 'avi
syved yer life. Twas me throwed 20
+ that line, you know
ooh" commented Kirkwood brief,
The pin had been among the mo;
valuable and cherished of his b
> longings.
:. Yes" nodded the captain in r
: miniscence. you don't remember
v Likely twas the brandy singing in W
. cad You pushes it into my 'ands-
= almost. weepin', you was-and SEE, ST
you. 'Stryker.' you SEE, 'tyke this
\ trillln' tokjng Of my gratichood;
), wouldn't hinsult you you SEE, by he
= fern you money, but this can i
f sist on yer acceptin', and no refusa
+ says you"
4 oh" repeated Kirkwood.
- IF I for ninstant thought "
q wasn't sober when you done it $
Il But no; you're a gent if there ev
9 was one, and I'm not the man TO {
- fend you
o ooh, indeed"
II The captain let the implication pas
if perhaps on the consideration that
y could afford to ignore it; and said
S more. The pause held for several m
n utes, kirkwood having fallen into
n mood of grave distraction Fina
d Captain Stryker thoughtfully met
i. ured out second drink limited or
@ by the capacity of the tumbler, {
quilted it noisily, and got UP.
Is l.
e, unteered affably. yawning and stret'
,e ing.
h Il was about to ask you to do me
n. service :" began Kirkwood.
I'd Eyes ?"-with the rising infection
b mockery.
or Kirkwood quietly produced
cigar-case, a gold matchbox, g
m card-case, and slipped signet ri
I'd from his finger, "Will you buy these
I'd he asked COR will you lend me f
n. pounds and hold them as security
at Stryker examined the collection W
e. exaggerated interest strongly tinctul
of with distrust. I'll buy en- he
BIS fered eventually, looking up.
og That's kind Of you-''
n COW, they amt much use to me,
1s,,s~