The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1911-12-21

be sech moonlight as the rich can't
hev no finer"
ut don't look like the same world
wen the moon Shines" said Mrs. Bar
nard. "Oh. my. my, my!" n her
thoughts plainly were back In the mel
low evenings when she and her happy
lover went strolling down the woody
ways together and the gates Of Eden
seemed wide pen for them to enter In.
But here the witless creature who
was always asking for a pin came up.
and the po0rmaster was calling for
some n to help him with the man,
who. stumbling on h pauper graves,
could not pick himself up. and the
Labies began to cry inside, and the
mistress came out and said II was time
for laughing and talking to stop and
folks to 90 to bed.
Its allus the way wen you git to
entyin' yerself," graumbled Cap'n Len.
although he had not seemed to be par
ticulariy enjoying himself till time was
called.
The slow months wore themselye,
away. and. to Cap'n Lens belated sat-
isfaction. tho pigs had become bacon
and sausage and salt pork and the
winter winds were whistling wild
round the lonely gables OF the old
poorhouse. Mrs. Barnard lad come
n possession Of some child's shoes.
which she had cut open for own small
feet. and she had found Q pair Of rub
Der overshoes for her husband to wear
over the rags with which his feet were
still bound.s Isabel was washing the
dishes an before, and helping the poor
masters wife In spite Of contrary In
clinations: Mrs. Dolly was in open re-
Cap'n Tom and Cap'n Len, agreeing
with her, declared that those who had
paid their taxes had q right to much
better care than they received, and
stamped about on their canes and
found all the fault they wished with
the management.
Perhaps no n was moro surprised
than Cap'n Tom himself ope day then,
the snow falling. to be tvid that some
one was inquiring for him. II didn't
know there was a soul In the world to
ask for me. or to know where I be-"
said Cap'n Tom, rather angrily.
Wal. eff We come to the poorhouse,
We hev ter leave pride behind ye," said
Cap'n Len.
II do mo- wy" said the other. IT'S
an institution here I helped pay for
leastways I should hev stood In to
help pay eff I'd ever been on land taxin'
day. I'm on'y havin, my rights. But
I'd jest as lieves folks wouldn't know
l was a-takin' emf"
Cap'n Tom. however, returned to his
companion In quite another frame Of
mind. He was smiling and brushing
his hair with his fingers into fantastic
shapes. He sat motionless a long
while. without regard to Cap'n Lens
throaty ejaculation. He rose and went
to the window, looking out on the
thickening weather and the snow that
flew by In playful wreaths. Wouldn't
be bodin' much good eff we was to sea-"
he said. II guess it's goin' ter be a
three -decker." He sat down again by
the black stove that warmed II 1t did
not cheer. Strange" he said at last,
what difference some dirty rags they
cal money makes" and he pulled from
his pocket q roll that merited the cpl
he said.
Some feasts. while some source hev
a TASTE" said Cap'n Len. "All the
same. eft you've he'd luck I'm glad on
1t, old mani"
We've gin'rally gone sheers," said
Cap'n Tom, laying the bills on his
knee. Laboriously counting, he divided
the number equally, an put one-half
IN Cap'n Lens hand. "Baccy. an so
NO. no." said Cap'n Len. "No,
You be blest!" said Cap'n Tom. or
words to that effect, II opposite In
sound And then both them hustled
their parcels out of sight as Mr..
Stoners, the poormaster. came by.
Ten n afterwards, evading the
watchful eyes and aided and abetted
by Isabel. they wrapped their COM
forters III their threats and sailed
out into the snow. rive look the bulb
Bile into port unner tops'ails in wuss
Think you're good for 10 miles, Len?'
Goods YOU be-"
wal. l amt. Wen mebbe git a lift
inter town an hire a boss. Rec'lec' the
Bubble? / sailed her straight through
the hull fishin' fleet as ef she was
sent from a bow. Wal, wal. laid her
bones IN a reef in the port. Never got
another" They trudged on. calling nm
old memories for q while, the snow and
sleet making them remember DAYS and
night on deep water. Come. come"
said Cap'n Tom at last. II guess you'd
like ter know what port we're bound
for today. Wal. We see it's this way,
Taln't best ter tell all we know wen
we're where walls has ears. Butts it's
all outdoors here. My sisterinlaw's
second counsin's sisterinlaw-got that
straight? They're dead and gone now,
the hull dear bunch on EN-. So. An
she's up an lef me her property. Per-
vidin' I could be found. I was found
all right. was found. I'm pleased,
~ Sto ohO diuh = hAOW Wner4
We was keepin' comp'ny in them Old
days. a there was those come be-
tween US. An I drifted Off an never
drifted back. SO t she'd know of it
She was a pretty thin them DAYS
Glad I amt seen her sence-years
makes big changes. She had eyes uke
the leaf Of q heartsease, an wen She
laughed an showed her little white
teeth-oh, what's the use," said Cap'u
Tom to the gathering gale. She's lef
mo the house: 'twarn't much of a dwell.
lin. but twas good enough for her
an I guess twill be good enough 70,
you an me. Len. An It's all complete:
Jes' 3 she was took III Of 1.-THE
sheets on the beds, the chiny on ths
shelf, the wood in the ~woodhouse. thu
pickles an preserves In the sullar, an
pour cake an plum cake In the stone
crooks. It's q house for folks to walk
right inter. Mebbe for some others
I do no. I gotter see that lawyer
ag'in, fer probably Stoners won't lie,
EN- out. I not engagin' they sha'n't
come beck. Well hurry II up an see
Git out ourselves fust." And Cap'r
Tom struck q good gait, swinging hi
arms as II. as Cap'n Len said, he owned
both sides . Of the road. Cap'n Ler
would not let himself be outstripped
and the lawyer was seen, arrange.
ments made. and q team was fount
to take them to q little dark cottage
under the trees. the driver paid before.
hand out of the overlooking pocket
lest he should decline to start at all
nm Cam Ton wao opaH alnu1 -