The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1911-02-18
"Mr. Hardvl M. Hardrlp
BY George WhitefieId D'vy'

"Mr Hardy! Mr. Hardy!p
A boy sprang into the narrow street. and vgor-
ously waved his cap at approaching motorIst.
The car came to stop beside him, and the driver
called cheeri1y: "How you Billie-boyl Any
"Yes. SIR. came the quick answer Meeting you
has saved me the ten-lile tramp to your house and
back for father wanted me to go over and tell you
about the three hundred dollars he owes you"
what about it?" the words crisp and sharp
while the features of the speaker became stern and
cold.
"IIe SAYS" the boy continued manfully, shat on
the first of last month when he couldn't pay you
anything he promised double payment this month";
But he cannot, eh2" interrupted the motorist,
somewhat icily. "Well, then how much has he for
re "Nothin9S SIR was the quiet answer. "And the
fact is, Mr. Hardy he is almost completely discour
aged He counted on the cary mackereI you know,
the seiners and other METERS, but from Hateras to
Cape May not school of FISH was sighted by any
of them. Three-quarters Of them never even wet
a line sir so finally they all returned home in dis
gust They claim It the most disastrous trip for
Mr. a a. Hss hurredy years Where IS your father now
"FIe hadn't the money to refit the sloop, the boy
answered readily so he IS going as seinebe a
very afteTnoon-headed this time for the Nova
Scotia coast"
ION the strength of some newspaper report prob
ably" -. - ...,..,..... ! i,
each reported seeing two of the Gloucester fleet
racing from off that way be the first to the New
York market with their catches. One had twenty
eyes, yes, understand" Mr. Hardy again inter
rupted All tomfooery, all tomfoolery every bit
fisherman. Billie. but venture to say that what
the fleet will go chasing after two hundred miles
away are right here at our own back door. That's
my idea! They've been scared offshore down there
in those southern waters, take it, and no doubt
the set toward the New England coast began
acS 30 be e ordsT o g Ts
my idea. -
Nov. then--about that money. I've always liked
YOU Bllie-boy, and in order that your father might
keep you at school loaned the money to him to
buy the sloop after he'd lost his schooner on the
Grand Banks, but frankly I'm tired of his dily-da-
lying methods The trouble is he's lost his grip; the
tide of adversely is sweeping him off his feet and
he az qversaSRR So ta ne ts q No s on
ter how dark things look don't lose your grip: Hang
to the situation and something will surely hap
@Now about the Nettie Ann; there's another party
after the sloop, Billie, and am carrying to your
father notice to the effect that he must live up
to the conditions of the sale and pay the money
long overdue at or before noon Tomorrow or lose
the craft You understand At high noon to-mor,
row, get my money or take the sloop! intend
to deliver my notice in person. Would. you Ike to
ride along with me?
"No, I'm not going home just yet" the boy an
swered slowly, as he stepped back upon the plank
walk again, and as one bewildered gazed alter the
blue car rapidly disappearing
Hello, Billie" sounded voice just behind him.
I'm dead sorry--honestl"
Willie Mitchell wheeled sharply. At his right
ing angrly while his deep tanned face bespoke the
sympathy he had voiced.
"Hullch Bob--you here?" Billie said confusedy.
ayes, came along just in time to hear those last
words I was headed for your house. I'm all alone;
mothers gone down to Wellheet for day or So
and dad is scuddng around Long Point. the first of
the fleet to get away, too" Bob said this rather
proudly adding: Have you heard the news BilIie7'
''What news|
"a lot Of Harvard chaps came in on the morning
train. ! believe they call themselves the Histology
the State highway intending to take the back shore
at Race Point. The talk IS that some big-wig at
the college has offered cash prizes for odd things
ii animal and plant life, SO the class came here
their spring vacation.
Billie was not yet wholly recovered from his dis
connfturc at the lawyers parting words lie list
ened as one but little interested, yet murmured dis
danfuIly "TIah, what plant animal life is there
On the dunes OF on our back shore?
"Oh, they'll find things all right" Bob declared
with energy Its IA walking laboratory, Billie.
Microscopic and lot more things we chaps down