Graham guardian., 1911-05-05
cy Whittaker's
Place
BY JOSEPH c. LINCOLN
Copyrisht. 1908. by D. Appleton
e Co.
CHAPTER XIII.

"f~1RIENDS," said Heman. "my
narse has been brought into
Ill this controversy by Mr. Simp
u son directly and In insiDua
tion by-er-unother Therefore II IL
my right to make my position clear
Mr.. Thomas came to me last evening In
distress, both Of mind and body lie
told me his story substantially the
story which has just been told to you
by Mr.. Simpson-and. gentlemen. be
lieve It. But II ] did not believe It, II
I believed him to have been in tue past
all that his opponent has said. even II
l believed that. only last evening.
spurned. driven from his child. penni
less and hopeless, he had yielded to the
weakness which has been his curse all
his life-even II ! believed that, still
should demand that Henry Thomas
repentant and earnest as you see him
now. should be given his rightfu' op
portunity to become man again tie
Is poor, but he Is not--shall not be-
friendless No; thousand times. no!
You may say. some of you. that the
affair is not my business. afhrm
that II Is my business 1t Is my busi'
ness as a Christian. and that business
should come before all others J have
a child of my own. | know what
fathers love Is. And after sleepless
night I stand here before you today
determined that this man shall have
his own II my money-which you
will, I'm sure. forgive my mentioning
and my unfinching support can give
II to him. That Is my position He
paused and with right hand raised
launch he'd his fnal thunderbolt. Whom
God hath joined" he proclaimed. "iet
no one put asunderr'
That settled It. The cheers shook the
walls. Amid the tumult Dimick and
Bailey Bangs seized Captain Cy by the
shoulders and endeavored TO lift him
from his seat
"For the love Of goodness. Whit
groaned Josiah desperately. stand
up and answer him! II you don't we'll
founder sure"
The captain smiled grimly and shook
his head He had not taken his eyes
from the face of the great Atkins since
the latter began speaking.
"what." be replied. "after that
put asunder' sockdolageri Man alive.
do you want me to add Sabbath break
In to my other crimesT
The vote by ballot followed almost
Immediately II was pitful to see the
erstwhile Whitaker majority melt
away. Alonzo Snow was triumphantly
elected But handful voted against
him.
Captain Cy, returning from the town
meeting to the Whitaker place. felt
lonesome.
War was already declared. and the
reasons for II mattered little The
first skirlnish might occur al auy mo
ment The situation was desperate
The captain squared his shoulders.
thrust forward his chin and walked
briskly up the path to the door Of the
dining room. II was nearly O'Clock.
but Bos'n had not yet gone.
Hello, shipmate." he hailed "Not
headed for school YETI Good ! caI'late
you needn't 60 this afternoon. I'm
thinkin' of hIrin' team and drivin to
Ostable. and I didn't know but you'd
like to go with me Think you could
without that teacher woman havtn'
you brought up aft for mutinya'
Bos'n thought II over
t,rss .hA so
you wrote me an excuse I'd love to
60. Uncle Cy."
The captain removed bis coat and
hat and pulled n chair forward to tho
table.
"HeIlor be exclaimed What's this
the mail?"
Ros'p smiled delightedly.
"Yes, sir" she replied. Il knew you
was at the meeting. and so brought
from the Office Amt you gladl"
Sure! Yes. indeed, Much obliged
He smothered groan and picked ur
the mail.
Hum" he unused 'the Breeze, a
circular and one letter Hello' II isn't
possible that Well. wellr'
The letter was In long envelope
He hastily tore II Open AT the inclo
sure he glanced ip evident excitement
Then his smile returned
"Bos'p." he said after moments
reflection. II guess you and me won't
have to 60 to Ostable after ALL" No
ticing the child's look of disappoint
|, ment HI added: But you needn't go Il
y school Maybe you'd better not 70,
and nell take a tramp alongsbore
What do you say?'
"Oh. yes. Uncle Cy! Let's-shal
weY
"Why, don't see why not Wei
cruise In company as long as we car
hey, little girl2 The squalls likely I
strike afore night" he muttered, hal
aloud "we'll enjoy the fine weathe
till it's time TO shorten sail"
They walked all that afternoon. Car
tain Cy was even more kind and gentl
with his small companion than usua
He told her stories which made be
laugh. pointed out spots in the pine
where he had played Indian when
boy, carried her "pig back" when sh
grew tired and kissed her tepdcrl
when. at the back door Of the Whi
taker place. pc set her on her fe,
again.