The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1909-12-22
.irhank you, Captain Williams" she


liams in a light tone and his usual
voice, seating himself in his chair and
looking away from her, "before we got
to discussing this business was tell
ing you about the Sally Moran, my
first ship. Now, that ship-hear me
say ship?-she was only a schooner
She walked up to him and interrupt
ed him, smiling gratefully through her
tears.
"what can I do now, captain?" she
asked.
The telephone bell rang as she spoke.
"You might answer the phone" he
told her. I'm getting almighty lazy"
She did so.
"It's Jimsy-Mr. Smith," she an
nounced.
~ kind o. thought that fellow d be
nosing around instead of going to Bos-
ton," he soliloquized. "What's the
troubler
Hes downstairs and wants to know
If he can come up"
"Sure he canw
Eyes, come up, Jimsy," she called.
The captain stroked his face thought
fully.
"When you let him in you sort o.
smile and look into his face" he said.
Hes kind of an old baby, Smith is,
and 1t does him q lot Of good"
II always smile at Jimsy." she re-
piled. "No one could help that, could
theyT
"He is an amusing cuss," he con-
ceded.
He reached for the tin Of tobacco.
"You don't mind II smoke, do your
"No, l don't think I'd mind If you
committed arson"
ITS too hot to burn up everything"
he laughed. Besides, there's lot Of
folks say I'll get enough fire after my
Wills read"
"They don't know you, that's the
trouble" she said, the thankful tears
yelling to her eyes again as she looked
at him.
Smith amt particular quick about
getting here, is he" he remarked,
changing the subject. AFTER all he
said you'd expect him to be regular
hero and drop in from the ceiling"
What did he sayT
"That's telling" he added, putting
stolidly at his pipe. you're going to
have a hard time letting that man in
If you don't find the key you threw
around SO careless like"
She picked up the key and unlocked
the door. AS she did so Smith knocked
and she let him in. He looked keenly
at her as she smiled up into his face
and he took the hand she extended.
We've been waiting for you, Jimsy,'
she said.
A glad light came into his own eyes
Emma" he observed, II think that's
the prettiest smile 1 ever saw yor
smile"
Hello, Smith, amt going to Bostor
tonight, ehY queried the captain.
"No; guess them docks will be ther'
tomorrow" he replied.
He drew his revolver, extracted th'
cartridges with even more than or
binary deliberation and threw them oil
the table.
"I just thought I'd take the pegs ou
Of the heel of that shoe we were dis
cussing some time since and hand zen
to you as souvenirs" he remarked.
"Thank you," was the dry rejoindeI
"I'd give you the whole darn shoe,
added .Jimsy with heartiness, "only
fellow never can tell when he's goin
to have another sore foot"
"The trouble with you is, Smith
your foot hurts you before you stu
your toe," commented Williams.
81 guess that's right" he avowet
"Ready to go home, Emma?"
"You wait for me a moment, Jimsy
1 want to speak to the captain" sh
said.
"All right" he responded, going ou
side to ring up the elevator.
Captain, this paper-shall 1 give
to him?" she inquired.
"Who-Brooksw
"Yes."
II would. 1t clears you"
"And you? How can thank you
"Don't mind me. Only some tim
when you get settled down and al
living happy again invite me up
| lCus A<Ct LhC Put OA my oAAPP~AS NA'
smoke my pipe in the parlor."
Indeed will. Good night"
"And, Emma" he added ere she ha
reached the door, II suppose can ca
you Emma now, can't II"
always"
"Pay lot of attention to that fello
Smith. He's an awful good friend I
yours"
"I've found that out tonight" 81
answered "Good night"
Good night, Emma"
When she had gone the old man 81
for some time smoking his pipe me6
tatively.' Finally he kicked off his sli
Z pers, rose, stretched himself, sat dow
again, smiled and uttered his though
. aloud.
a "Well, Captain BILL" he told himse
II guess you've paid up part Of tn
!, deficit you've owed decency for SUI