Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1910-01-21
F j l. l.
John w. Harding
Copyright. 1908. by G. W. Dillins-
ham Co.


Eyes. right up" she instructed the
operator and. hanging up the receiver
turned with an eager smile.
I've got a surprise for YOU" she
said. Guess who's calling? Some
one who wasn't expected for month"
"Jimsy." cried Beth.
"Jimsy Smith. straight back from
Guatemala.
Joe's eyes widened. and the little
color in it faded from bis face He
was very much startled by this unex-
pected visit, but kept sufficient control
over himself not to make the fact too
apparent.
SIS Captain Williams with him?" in.
CURED Mrs. Harris.
81 don't know" answered Emma
II wonder what brings him back? He
wasn't expected for a month or six
weeks"
81 suppose the captains with him.
surmfsed Beth.
Her mother expressed the hope that
he was.
$50 do L." said Emma. Il want to
thank him for Joe's raise"
You'll do nothing Of the kind" ex-
ploded BROOKS furiously. IL want you
all to understand here and now that
my business is my business. | don't
want it discussed with either Smith
or Williams What I've got I've got.
and it Is nobody's affair but mine.
Now, if any Of you have got anything
to say about me or what ! do. say it
to me or shut up
Joe. how can your" reproached his
wife. taken completely aback by this
savage and uncalled for display Of
anger.
Well, | declareT' calculated Mrs
Harris. bridling up. I've never been
talked to so in all my life and
The doorbell rang. and she subsidized.
sinking back in her chair and tanning
her red face vigorously.
Mrs Brooks opened the door. and
Jimsy stood revealed with his win
some smile. his face tanned brown by
the sun of the tropics.
Welcome home. little stranger" ex-
claimed Emma heartily.
Hello, Emma! How are your" he
said. taking her outstretched hand
Ladies'. salute you. The prodigal
has returned from the distant land of
chilli con carni and tat ladies wearing
mantillas to receive his overdose OF
American grub"
Look at him! He's as brown as an
Indian" laughed Beth. giving him a
cordial handshake.
where's Captain Williams?" asked
Mrs. Harris.
"Al in due time. when l spin my
yarn" drawled Jimsv.
He went over 10 Brooks and shook
hands with him
Glad to see you. Joe." he said
THANK you. Jimsy. Same to you
You look immense"
I'm better than that Now, If you
folks will sit down IN tell you the
story Of my wonderful adventures
lying only when necessary to protec
my unsullied reputation. How is that
> Beth. 'unsullied reputationT Pretty
, good. chr"
But Captain Williams and the sto
What | want to know" observed
her mother, lis, Did the captain COM
with your"
$50 do l." said Brooks. with hardl,
concealed anxiety.
We'll. you know 1t took me two
months to do all this. and you can
expect me to tell this story as If i
was a journey in the subway"
"Jimsy, you're exasperating.' re
monsrated Emma.
Il was saying Say. Emma. yo
look all right in that dress" he brok
off. contemplating her with admiration
She stamped her foot imperiously.
Never mind me. Talk"
And please say something" adde
Beth
''Stung!" he laughed THANK 70,
Beth: Well. you know cap and wei
going to make a trip at every port G
call the Latin American company ha!
but when we got to Guatemala W
found out that couple of those don
down there. being out of jobs. ha
concluded to pass the time away b
buttons and. among other things. wer
getting very gay with our property"
You mean war;" demanded Bet
deeply interested
Not according to Hoyle This gam
was Just for conversation Anywa,
things looked little had. so we sta,
ed there until one of the dons threa
anpd to mn uS in jajl and hTrn m M
warehouses We We're delayed co,
pie of weeks. and one morning tt
y army of forty-two generals and thre
privates saw the United States cruise
NJ Brooklyn steam into port all painte
~ UP. with Il lc. of pecvish bluejacket
n. on board. looking for trouble. SO the
postponed their change Of government
n. indefinitely We had been delayed S
s. long by them fellows
"Jinsy." objected Beth. Don't ca
p them them fellows"
" MOP"
h No Say those fellows"
n. well. Beth. I've known those greG
ers down there for fourteen years q
II them fellows and If | called thel
anything else I'm afraid I'd have to
,e introduced again"
or But Captain Williams?" insiste
IS. Mrs. Harris.
q Yes, where is he?" said Brooks.
WELL we decided to come HON
Captain left OH the steamer by tt
way of New Orleans and couple
days later came direct TO New York