New-York tribune., 1909-09-26
CHAPTER XxxIx.
Algy's Cooking and Beth's Despair

8 despair
MAN and the new supply of provender
arrived together at the tent where the
partners made their temporary home 1t was
nearly dusk, the mellow end of baImv dav
Gettysburg, Napoleon, and Dave We're all IN
side the canvas, filling the small cube OF air
with mighty reel from their pipes and playing
seven-up on a greasy box. The Chinese cook
was away. much 70 Vans surprise.
"Gett, he said throwing OFF his belt and re-
vOlver, If Nap was to deal the cards on Your
tombstone on the day OF Gabrlels trump, III
bet you'd break the crust and take hand.
What have YOU done with Algy2'
" He's went 10 git job said Gettysburg.
g He called us all lot of babies. l dOggOne
near kicked him IN the lung"
Outside, where a wagon had halted with
two respectable boxes and dropped them on the
earth.
What's that" demanded Napoleon. leap
ing to his feet. If it's pirates come 10 board
us again"
Don't scare it away" Van interrupted
warningly Its grub
With one accord the three old cronies started
tor the door OF the tent. Van followed pre-
pared to get dinner under way. since his sys-
tenn was woefully empty.
TO the utter astonishnent of all. a visitor
Dick.
Where's yan'" she painted. while still a
u
moment she clapped her eyes upon him
" You're just the one | want to see and I'm
an awful busy woman; but I've got 70 make
a deal with You, and the sooner it's over the
better SO, as long as Charlie Sing Is CoOkin'
our vlctualS already | just run up 70 fight IT
out, and we might as We'll begin the program
tonight; so all YOU boys come down 10 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 y an, "and give the errottrl fs
chance to settle. We can almost see daylight
through what YOU said; but who, for instance
IS Charlie Sing2"
AS If You didn't know" Mrs. Dick responded
warmly. Z" If you think I'm going to call that
Chlnaman Agv OF anything white YOU re wav
OIL your ca-base Algy for a Chinaman, Not
but what he's a good enough cook and like
him friend of yourS-and him almost
maxim me cry, with his irwin 10 nurse YOU
tour old helpless galOotS-but / draw a line az
fancy names, and don't YOU forget it,"
The four " old galoots looked at one another
IN bewildermcnt
Van led Mrs. Dick gently but firmly IN a
box OF provisions and pushed her down on it.
Now take breath" ne said "and listen
DO we understand YOU TO say that Algv has
gone to Your boarding house and taken a lob
as cook"
He has" said Mrs Dick: but I've named
him Charlie"
That'n turn his stomick.' ventured Gettvs-
burg gravely. He was proud of Algy
AAS NSi 1stlllLN must pt desperate. added
' an don't quite Savvv how il happened -
oh. You don't'" said little Mrs. Dick
Well, do! He come down there and saws To
me- saws he, We're broke. Van and us ne
says and III 60 10 work and cook for YOU If
youll board all the family OF words to that
elect SAYS he. and give Van twenty dollars a
month salary, he SAYS, and | saws I'll do II
quicker than seat. And that's all there Is to
S!y-ant 1t Charlie wasn't a Chinaman I'd kiss
nm IN the bargainl" With quick impatient
gesture she made a daub At her eve and fiecked
away jewel
VAN hauled at his collar. which was loose
enough around his neck say. bows" ne
S>'iu' ihink OF Algy being kissed in the bar
gtin! always thought he got his face al a
bargain counter"
mat $ all right. Bronson Van Buren." an
sWereu ,V Mrs Dick indignantly, but l never
come that near 10 kiSsin' voul"
San suddenly Swooped down upon her.
picked her up bodily, and kissed her ON the.
e"@TS, T,, Then he placed her again on the box.
my didn YOU say what YOU wanted
etIler' ne SAID. Now don't talk hack
want va q You 70 listen 70 me. I'm perfectly viii
ilS th3t Algy should waste his sweetness ON
'lc dtNcrt air of YOUR boar,lIDtr hf,,sa - =