St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1911-05-03
more thought. But he gained little

more thought. But he gained little
comfort from thinking. II it was a
coincidence. well and good. IL not
A bellboy conducted him to the
Whitaker room ION the saloon deck"
It was small room, very different
from the Atkins library. and Captain
Cy, in a cane seated chair. was hud-
died close to the steam radiator. He
looked far from well.
"Evenin'. Heman." he said as the
congressman entered. Pretty dirty
night, amt It? What we'd call
gray no'theaster back home Sit down
Don't mind my not gettin' up. This
heatin' arrangement feels mighty
conf table just now. II get too far
away from 1t I SILVER my deck planks
loose. Take of your things"
Mr. Atkins did not remove his over
coat. His hat he tossed on the bed
He glanced fearfully at his companion.
The latter's greeting had been SO
casual and everyday that he took cour-
age. And the captain looked anything
but formidable as he Rugged the radi-
ator. Perhaps things were not so bad
as he had feared He resolved not to
seem alarmed. at all events.
"Have cigar. Heman?r said Cap.
tain Cy NO? Well. all right: will
if you don't mind"
He Lit the cigar The congressman
cleared his throat
Cyrus he said. 81 am not ac-
customed to run at the beck and call
of my-er-acQuaintan but even
though we have disagreed of late.
even though to me your conduct seems
quite unjustifiable. still for the sake
Of our boyhood friendship and because
you are not well I-er-came.
Captain Cy coughed spasmodieally. a
cough that seemed to be tearing him
to pieces. He looked at his cigar re-
gretfully and laid it on the top of the
radiator.
TOO bad he observed Tobacco
centrally lies up my talkin' machinery.
but just now 1t seems to make me
bark like ships dog shut up in the
hold. Why. yes. Heman. ! see you've
come Much obliged TO you"
This politeness was still more en-
couraging Atkins leaned back in his
chair and crossed his legs.
81 presume" be said. that you wish
to ask concerning the appropriation. /
regret
You needn't. guess Wen get the
appropriation"
Heman's condeseension vanished He
leaned forward and uR&Fossed his legs
.Indeed?' he said slowly. his eyes
fixed on the captains placid face.
"Yes-indeed.'
Whitaker. what are you talking
about? Do you suppose that ] have
been the representative of my people
in congress all these years without
knowing whereof l speak? They left
the matter in my hands. and your In
reference
81 amt goin' to interfere. I'm goin'
to leave 1t in your hands too. And
cal'late you'll be able to find way to
get 1t. Um-hum, guess likely you
WILL
The visitor rose to his feet. The
time had come for another blast from
Olympus. He raised the mighty right
arm. But Captain Cy spoke first.
''Sit down. Heman." said the captain
quietly. ..Sit down. This amt town
meetin'. Never mind the appropriation
now. There's other matters to be talk
ed about first. Sit down, tell you"
MT. Atkins was purple in the face,
but he sat down. The captain cough
ed again. "Heman." he began when
the spasm was over. II asked you to
come here tonight for-well. blessed IL
know exactly. 1t didn't make much
difference to me whether you came or
not
''Then. sir. l must say that OF all
the impudent''-
''Ses-h-h. for the land sakes! Speech
maxim must be as bad as the rum hab-
it when feller's got it chronic as
you have. No; 1t didn't make much
difference to me whether you came or
not. But, honest. you've got to be
kind Of Bunker Hill monument to the
folks back home. They kneel down at
your foundations and look up at you
and tell each other how many foot
high you are and what it cost to build
you and how you stand for patriotism
and purity till-well, couldn't see you
tumble down without givin' you a
chance to explain-I couldn't. 'Twould
be like blowin' up church"