The Sauk Centre herald., 1911-03-30

out more about them while they lived
there"
Asaph Tidditt pulled his beard
thoughtfully.
WELL" he observed. II was kind OF
carlatin' to go to Orham next week on
little visit. Seth Wingate over there
-Barzilla Wingate's cousin. Whit-is a
sort of relation of mine Seth's been
Orham town clerk about as long as
I've been the Bayport one, and he's
lived there all his life. What he don't
know about Orham folks amt wuth
knowin' If you say so III pump him
about the Thayers and the Richards"
So it was settled that Mr.. Wingate
should be subjected to the pumping
process when Asaph visited him. He
departed for this visit the following
week and remained away for ten days.
Meanwhile several things happened in
Bayport.
One of these things was the farewell
Of the Hon. Heman Atkins. Congress
was to open at Washington, and the
honorable needed the call of duty.
Alicia and the housekeeper went with
him. and the big house was closed for
the winter.
And on the day following Mr. Thorn
as, the prodigal father. also left town.
A position in Boston had been offered
him, he said, and he felt that he must
accept it.
Position offered him! Um-ya-as!"
quoth Dimick. the cynical. in converSa-
ton with Captain Cy. inspector of
sidewalks. shouldn't wonder. Well.
please don't ask me If think Heman
sent him 10 Boston SOS to have him
out of the way and cause he'd feel
considerable safer than if be was loose
down here. Don't ask me that, for,
with my strict scruples against the
truth might say no. AS it is, say
nothin' and wink my port eye"
The ten day visit ended. Mr.. Tidditt
returned to Bayport. On the afternoon
Of his return he and Bailey called at
the Whitaker place, and there they
we're Joined by Miss Dawes. who had
been summoned to the conclave by
note intrusted to Bos'n.
''Now. Ase." ordered Captain Cy as
the quartet gathered in the, sitting
room. "here we are, hangin' on your
words. as the feller said. Don't keep
us strung up too long. What did you
find out?"
"Well." said Mr.. Tidditt. with glare
OF n thu
Thayers and the Richards folks the
very fust night l struck Orham He
remembered 'em.
Folks used to call John Thayer a
smart young feller. so Seth said. They
used to cal'late that he'd rise high in
the seafarin' and shipownin' line
Maybe he would, only he died some
where's in Californy long in "a or
thereabouts. Twas the time of the
gold craZiness out there. and he left
his ship and went gold huntin'. And
the next thing they knew he was dead
and buried"
When was .that:" inquired the
schoolmistresS. .
I'm "a, tell you. SO Seth says
What ship was he on?" asked Bal
ley.
WANT on any ship Why don't you
listen instead of settin' there moohin'?
He was gold diggin'. ! tell YOU"
He'd been on a ship. hadn't he?
What was the name of herr"
Il didn't ask. What diff'rence does
that maker"
Wasn't Mr.. Atkins at sea in those
daysT' put in the teacher. The cap
tain answered her.
"Yes. he was" he said-..that is. l
think he was. He was away from
here when skipped out, and he didn't
get back till 81 or therabo
$50 that was all You could find out.
hey. Ase" asked the captain "Well.
it's at least as much as l expected.
You see. teacher. these story book mo-
tions don't work out when it comes to
real life"
Miss Dawes was plainly disappoint-
ed.
Il wish we knew more.' she said
who was on this ship with Mr.. Thay-
ef, and who sent the news of his
death homer
"Oh. can tell you that" said Asaph.
?. Twas some one hoss doctor out there.
gold minin' himself, he was. John died
ne 1n;ek lever: got cold and went