The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1909-05-19


has seiled all my osiaehea because
I've been exporting feathers with.
out paying tho duty. and I'm
ruined
What. all some. Alff asked
NathRhaoh.
IAN but old nm, answered tho
Du,chmaH mooiliy. sinking ihio a
chair and he sasn't uefth tai.
Ing. What am I Eoins 10 dof
When 10 doubt play Ola.
mnndu. said NathAnson slowly.
Into HE fertile bfaih the scheme Of
hi revenge vas alcady ieapinE.
I thought you mlkht loan me
enough 10 set few young birds. :
said Van Meyer teseechlnEiy.
what. met said Nathanson.
why. Az. las, nikht thon@ psalm
singing brethren poured mf stock
Of brandy Into the street and
wrecked the ahip | rant help yoa
But will tell you What ! vii do.
he added And 10 uufnldsd his
scheme Into the Dnichman's ear
Tho f'iymonth Brethren were
proud Of their neu Dutch convert
Il was not many weeks before Van
Meyer ana tho Aas. Abel jones
were bosom companions Van
Meyer saved from the devices Of
Satan. Van Never foFsuearing
drink. Van Meyer cutting Nathan.
son. his old cruny. Ia the street. 90
teniatiously, Van aeyss IN sober
eat black. leading the c0ngrcga.
ton In The psalms. vas an incress-
Ing Joy.
But on that wonderful day Of 70
ioiclng when Van hoyer mAde
public confession u his sins In the
little chapel. every heart went out
to him. lie limited darkly at hla
wickednesa. bis determination to
lead an upright life for the future.
Ills private confession ho reserved
for the Roy. Abel Jones afterwArd
brother" he bogRn. 7 may as
we'll out with H. You know I've
seemed kind Of affectionate toward
old iilll. and wouldn't let him be
sold, seeing a. he's no use for
feathefaT''
The pastor nodded. Then Van
Meyer bent down and whispered In
the pastors car, causing that gen.
tlaman to start Violently,
Not word Of this, not q
word said tho Datchman, ma he
hurried away.
But before nlghifail each Of the
congregation knew. and thought
himself the sole depositary Of the
fact. that Hlll. the old ostrich. was
a walking diamond mine. IN other
worda, that be- had been trained 10
swallow diamonds which Nathan
son bought from native thieves.
and that several thousands pounds
worth resided 10 the interior Of
lls crop.
Also that Van Meyer. moved BY
remorne. was about to aoll the bird
al auction for what Il would fetch.
giving the proceeds to the chapel.
leaving the diamonds, which. a.
tainted wealth. could not be do.
mated. to remain undiscovered for.
ever.
Kimberly has seen oxtrayagant
bids. but never such as we're Of.
fered for that ostrich In the mar.
ket place the next morning. The
bidders were not Of the Brethren,
though members Of the flock might
have been seen lowering prayer
fully upon the outshlrts Of the
throng. Bill finally foil TO a man
representing an unknown syndicate.
who paid 7i00 pounds for him In
cold, hard cash.
Van Meyer, In boot and spurs. sat
upon his horse In front OF Nathan.
sons store. Suddenly tho roar Of
mob came faintly from the mar
ket place. Williamson rose.
"By-by. An" he said gripping
his friends hand. Ride for your
life over tho boundary"
And as his friend disappeared
In q cloud Of dust no chuckled and
slappes his thighs,
Eight hundred and nifty pounds
he muscd. which pays for the
bsndy they wasted ynd leaves
little something oyor Tor interest"