Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1910-11-24

hook imhedded Itself In the wooliy In.
trlcncics ~ phuebe's knitted Jacket.
Then Captain Amos. feeling tho
point of the hook In his tender flesh.
yelled murdcrouslv.
"Numan" he threatened. turning
his head as far around MS pain would
permit
MAN" snapped back Miss Phoebe.
stmlning at her pole aud against the
captains hook
"Whut In tarnatlon'- sputtcrcd
Amos. rroaning Woman, you have
killed me"
Keep stlll. do" said Phoebe impa-
tlcntly. You've gone and caught
yourself In my hook. II was the last
one / had If you'd reach around you
might get It out"
"Get ont nothing! Do YOU under
stand the English language" asked
Captain Amos. with deadly calm.
"Of course ! do"
"Thcn listen. Your hook is caught
In my skin-sk--n-sk'u; and I'm
bleeding to death If you'll have the
goodness to look around ana sec what
damage you've done" suggested the
captain sayagcly.
"Pcrhaps you'll look around and see
what you've done" said Phoebe cross
ly
She crancd her neck and looked
around at the captains back. which
the point of her fish hook barely prick
Amos peered around to see his own
hook caught in his neighbours jacket.
Something In the ridiculous situation
broke the icy crust of years of separa-
tion; it recalled another day when, as
children, they had fished for minnows
in the millpond and, sitting together In.
the old green boat that had belonged
to Phoebes father. they had hooked
each other quite as neatly as they had
done today.
amos Dodge, you little ninny"
cried Phoebe in the same teasing
words she had used on that former oc~
casion thirty five years ago.
"Girls don't know how to fish," re-
torted Amos as he had done in that
other day.
Does that hook hurt, Amos?" asked
Phoebe
mot much" admitted the captain.
twisting his neck around to look into
Phoebe's sunbonnet. Your boats
drifting little, Phoebe. Don't get any
further away from me-" he said In a
queer voice.
al won't" said Phoebe gently. Gust
wait minute, Amos, while | slip Off
this jacket-there! Now I'm free OF
your hook I'll help you. Wait. now.
til get my boat over"
BY dint OF careful maneuverinS
Phoebe ran her boat near enough to
the other to lean over and touch the
hook. 1t fell out at her touch.
Il was afraid the point might have
caught. but It's all right, captain
Amos" said the captain briskly. II
wasn't any captain when l knew you"
Amos" repeated Phoebe obedient-
ly. Il hope 1t didn't hurt you"
Not mite. Phoebe To tell the
truth He reddened and looked
doubtfully mt his old sweetheart.
Tell it," commanded Phoebe in her
old imperious way.
Il caught you on purpose" confess
ed the captain.
why" bushed Phoebe. What
ever
Just to get acquainted again. You
have been as stiff as a ramrod ever
since | came home again and
Tides turning" said Phoeme from
the depths of her pink sunbonnet.
I've got lunch to eat"
"So've l." returned the captain
promptly. Lets go ashore and have
picnic"
Let's" said Phoebe,
That night when they trudged up
the Hill swinging their strings of sill
very fish somebody saw them and
said:
We'll. if Phoebe Allen amt caught
Captain Amos at last
Somebody else saw them and said,
Land sakes. if Captain Amos amt
caught Phoebe Allen, after all"
And just then Captain Amos was
saying. "When you get over to the
big house with me, Phoebe, there
won't bc anything to shut OFF your
view of the weather yanc."
~ guess there won't be anything to
obstruct M happiness either" sighed
Phoebe contentediy.
4 ocopofiNA's Pre- thine