Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1909-02-11

better on. l am, for he's insured for
81, 600"
Mr.. Hotchkiss opened his eyes and
his mouth. Here was a fine kettle
Of fish. Instead of Mrs. Chapman
melting into tears at her husbands
decease she was congratulating her
self on a windfall.
Il didn't know he was insured" he
said.
Neither did Ezry. He was exam.
ined, and then let 1t drop. but I had
policy made out and kept it go
ing without his knowing It,"
IT was arranged that, pending the
selection OF a new skipper Mr.. Hotch
kiss was to take the Magic to Oxford,
and he was about casting of the lines
when Mrs. Chapman came aboard. A
boy accompanied her bearing a trav-
cling bag, which he placed on deck
and departed.
Well" exclaimed Mr.. Hotchkiss, a
trife disconnected.
I'm going with you" replied Mrs.
Chapman. sharply; do you think be-
cause I've $4,000 I'd pay steamboat
fare, when l can go on this schooner
for nothing?"
Mr.. Hotchkiss stood at the helm,
while the Magic moved out of harbor
to the push of a languid breeze and
gazed at the grim form Of Mrs. Chap
man sitting on the cabin house under
an umbrella of mighty dimensions. 1t
occurred to him that his fame as a
diplomat was likely to be diminished
by this unexpected development, and
he also speculated on the result of
Capt. Chapman coming on board when
on Solomon's island. Mr. Asa Hen
son had plans of housekeeping strict
ly his own, and cleanliness was not
predominant in these plans. Hence,
the skipper would be anxious to es-
cape from Mr.. Henson's hospitality as
quickly as possible. He determined
to avoid Solomon's island as far as
the Chesapeake bay would allow him.
The wind was light, and the Magic,
hugging the opposite shore from the
island, made slow progress. The bay
was deserted. a small steam tug being
the only craft visible.
"Old Capt. Halls tug" soliloquized
Mr.. Hotchkiss, recognizing the YES
sci, wants to have a chat with Capt.
Chapman"
But Capt. Hall did not hail the
Magic. Capt. Chapman did.
What you mean by keeping so cluss
| TO shore over here?" he demanded.
I'm nearly dead with Henson's bed
bugs. and 1 sighted Capt. Hall TO
take me off this morning. I'd never
have caught you on the island"
The tug came close enough to the
| Magic for Capt. Chapman to jump
aboard, and then put down the bay,
Before the skipper could say a word
| TO Mr.. Hotchkiss Mrs. Chapman came
up the companion way.
What's this here mean?" she de.
manded.
Capt. Chapman and Mr.. Hotchkiss
looked at each other and said nothing
This here's some plot" said Mrs
Chapman, regarding Mr.. Hotchkiss
with piercing eye; "out with it
Jerry Hotchkiss."
Mr.. Hotchkiss looked ct the main
crosstrees for few moments as IL he
was consulting an oracle. Then the
| perturbed expression on his face was
succeeded by one of grim determine
ton.
"Yes'm," he said, 1T was a plot"
Out with it," repeated Mrs. Chap
man, and no lying"
Capt. Chapman was a-goin' to ruI
away" began Mr.. Hotchkiss-
by hisself?" demanded Mrs. Chap
man.
NO; with a Teddy"
In stony horror Capt. Chapman re
garded his perfidious friend. His lip!
moved, but no sound came there
from.
Who was the baggitch?" asked thu
memorable Mrs. Chapman.
! For q moment Mr.. Hotchkiss hest
tated. Then his eyes fell upon thu
island on the other side Of the bay.
Her names Miss Soloman," h,
said.
What sort of lookin wench is she ?
inquired Mrs. Chapman.
Mrs. Chapman was short, stout, ant
had red hair.
Miss Soloman, according to Mr.
Hotchkiss, was tall, slender. and hat
l raven black hair.
81 was to bring her down on the
schunner." he said, but when you
come aboard l had to drop the thing.
"And Ezry was to make out he wa.
drowned, so he could go away will
herr"
| Mr.. Hotchkiss nodded.
| To the utter establishment of the
two mariners Mrs. Chapman seated
herself on the cabin house and burs
into tears.
10000" she walled; "Oh, Ezry, yol
would leave the wife of your ouzzun
for a brazen black-haired hussy."
Il told i'm he was maxim a mis-
take" remarked the uDblushing Mr.
Hotchkiss, land that you was wuti
dozen SIGH women, but he says yo'
were SO sharp with I'M"
II was sharp for his good, but II
never be sharp agin," and the buxon
| h0