Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1910-01-07


assured him. Come in"
Hello, Joe! You dead one. too?"
ne said
almost" replied Brooks. brighten
ing up little in spite of himself m-
Ter the influence of his friends good
'latured smile and cheeriness that pos
itively emanated from him. Just
come up?'
yep, and reckon in about time to
;elp." he snid, glancing at the crock
cry on the table.
'Just in time" assented Emma,
whose dropping spirits also began to
else under the diversion caused by his
advent. But first explain what you
Aean by not coming to dinner
II couldn't come. really. tried my
BEST. but l had to attend to such lot
of business that couldn't be put off
that was unable to get here in time.
hope you didn't wait long for me.
I'm awfully sorry"
you look It'll don't think" she
scolded. go on; get busy if you're
going tor
".All right" he answered, taking up
;, small pile Of cups and saucers very
singerly. Where do these go? II
you left it TO me, like as not I'd be
putting soup plate behind the door
ard slip a broom into the sideboard"
''rhey go right in here"
He stopped on the way to the side
board and turned to Brooks
seen the latest extra. Joe?" he in
quired. "The Orinoco wasn't hardly
scratched getting out of Rio Janeiro."
you don't say!!'
''Kind o. scraped over the bar Shell
only be day late now"
''Do be careful with those cups. Jim
sy." admonished Emma. "They'rt
china"
Don't you suppose know that?"
81 mean real china she empha-
sized.
''All china and Cinnamon look alike
to me. Here's the paper, joe You'll
find all about the Orinoco on the in
side page"
lie drew it from his pocket. and as
he did so one Of the cups balanced on
the saucers slipped off and smashed to
bits on the carpet
Now, Jimsy, you certainly are going
TO get it," commented Joe, rising and
taking the paper extended to him.
Smith looked arpealingly at his
hostess.
''Jin,sy," she chided, assuming an
expression of mock gravity, "how
could you-my very best Sunday go to
meeting china! How could your
Not how could I-how did II" he
corrected. STOPPING and picking up the
rieces. you know, Emma I've had
butter fingers ever since | was little
shaver. and guess | always will
have-in business and everything else
why. how do you mean?'
i've been clumsy all my life, that's
I'll. Everything I've ever had in my
hands that was worth much I've gen
orally let slip and fall. Out in Colo
RADIO when l was kid around Lead
vile they used to say that sure
would turn out to be sawed off and
hammered down, good for nothing
man. So you see the way things have
turned out I've broken about ever
with that prophecy"
"IIow broken even:"
Taking their side for the book.
win the first bet and lose the second
There amt nothing sawed off ant
hammered down about me, is there"
II should say not" she said, with {
merry laugh. you've been pulled ou
like piece of taffy."
Then win, but it was in doub
quite some time. Never really die
start to grow until l was fifteen, ant
then just eased out into my presen
altitude. But the second proposition
that good for nothing bet-I guess the.
win"
Nonsense, Jimsy. How can you sa,
ouch thing? You're good for Who'll,
lot"
Emma" he declared solemnly
there have been moments of financia
stringency when that declaration seem
ed to be open to doubt"
"Jimsy. you're an idiot" she laugh
ed.
discovered" he avowed, bowinl
tremendously.
Brooks, who had been reading tn
paper, threw it down angrily.
..D-n him" he growled.
joel! exclaimed his wife reproach
fully
On whoY" inquired Smith.
why, Williams" lie replied.
Lots have done that" said the ST.
perintendent. But what's the matte
now. Joe?"
His luck went on Brooks. 9TH
Orinoco isn't scratched. If any on
else owned ship and she got into
muss like that the chances are hur
dred to one that she'd have foundere
been n complete loss"
That's right" aSsented Smith.
But Williams-he don't lose her. II
couldn't"
Il should think you'd be glad" re
marked Emma. she's brand ne,
ship. isn't she?"
mo, Pm not glad" he declared fl
riously, rising and walking about til
room. 'Im tired of him. of his ro
ten old steamship line, of all of it.
you hear? OF all of it,"
Joe, pleased" she protested. "Yo
know r.
Il know you've shaved and bore wit
me long enough! Here am-handlin
all the money of that line, amt ths
SO. Jimsy?'
That's right" admitted the latte
ssRut what's the matter7"