Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-05-18
s. A PERSON OF s.,
MQ%ASN1E IMPORTANCE -
= I A&sAN4N1n9,r 1.-THE ADVENTURE efe

Copyright. III. tn. Bob
CHAPTER XIX.-(Continued.)
| Chris accompanied him. 1t was
clustering, windy day, bleak and cheer
less. and it seemed to become bleaker
and more cherries still as Matt was
denied at one office after another. He
was the victim of bygone zeal, of by
gone loyalty and honesty. However
lightly he had spent his own money,
he had always been a hard bargainer
where John Morris was concerned.
How remorselessly that ,"f1ve per cent
for cash" now rose in judgment against
him-that II can do better at Turn
e1's,'' or whatever it was-to bring
down the price.
He was shabby; he was hesitating;
he had none Of the enticing arts nor
breezy joviality that compromised the
lender before he could temper his vel
come to changed conditions. what
business man does not know the type?
The trusted employe of a rich GUS
toner. once so keen in buying, and so
ready with his check book, now trans
formed into a low-yoiced mend1cant,
who must raise certain sum to get
from somewhere to somewhere else.
!
terfuges which have done duty for
don't know which way to turn my
self,"-and all the rest of it, retiring
crestfallen, usually with nothing,
though once with three dollars and
another time with five.
One merchant took him CURLY to
task.
"Favors breed favors," he said.
"You always stood out for your pound
of flesh. It's very praiseworthy to
guard your bosss interests, but If you
had bought of us at catalogue prices
you would have fallen on feather
bed instead of the cobbles."
So it went on with varying rebuffs,
sometimes not altogether unkind,
sometimes insufferahle in their rude
ness and rancor-with a rare five, and
once a ten dollar gold piece. Chris
turned whittier and whittier from the
misery of repeated failure and the ia
tigue of standing and lettering; anG
after a pretense at lunch in cheap
eating place she was sent home alone
while Matt continued his depressing
tour. BY 4 o'clock he had to confess
himself beaten. Except for ship
chandler at the foot of Market street
the list of possible lenders was ex-
hausted. But ne had never put much
business in this mans way, whose
last name he had some trouble in re-
Numbering Yes, Coleman. that was
|it-Joe Coleman, jolly old English
man as round as tub.
| Coleman greeted him heartily-so
heartily that Matt was ashame ed OF the
surprise he was about to spring.
you'd better be careful, ,Joe," he
said, with wretched effort at a
smile. I'm on my uppers, and every
shake OF my hand may cost you nye
dollars"
1.-The hell it will" exclaimed Cole
man. in sham trepidation. Here, sit
down on that barrel and have cigar.
Bless you, lad, it's like old times to
see you again. Not been making out
very we'll, Ell? More bumps than
milk punch? Well, cheer up, and pass
the tambourine." 800,
! Joe was a common old fellow, hut
his robust good will and sympathy
were very warming. Putting at his
cigar and leaning against an anchor,
he told Matt Ito get on with his tale
of VICE."
| Matt obeyed-but with reservations,
saying briefly that he had tried shore
life and failed and wanted to return
to the islands.
That's easy" said Coleman. mo
need to be so blue about it."
Easy? Do you think l can swim
! there or what?"
Il mean I'm good for a hundred dol
lars. l always liked you. Broughton,
and when like man it don't stop at
the trousers pocket. Bless your
handsome face, it don't. All you've
to do Is to catch the mail boat and
make a Decline for the cocoanuts and
the wahines."
81 have mine with me, Joe. I'm
married"
"Oh, I say!" Coleman exclaimed,
rubbing his chin and looking worried.
you've been going it, haven't you? A
hundred dollars Is about my limit; |
couldn't 20 more than a hundred, and
that's what they charge for a single
passage to Samoa-hold on, though, l
have it-ship steward, or work your
way, and let wiley be the passenger"
"But they would make me sign to
Australia-sign for the run
Jump the ship"
81 don't know about that, Joe. Sup
pose they kept me and landed her. It's
too great risk"
ooh, you could manage it,"
"1've put chaps in irons myself for
the same sort of game, and tell you,
joe" -
The sentence remained unsaid. and
Mats mouth stayed open as Coleman
suddenly dashed to the door and grab
bed the arm of man who had stopped
for a moment to peer in. He was q
short, thick-set person OF a seafaring
cut, with the appearance of North
German or a Scandinavian, and
Popping blue eyes that danced with
good humor. He was effusively intro
duced to Matt as Captain Schwartz, OF
the schooner Esmeralda.
"You damned old - cried Cole
man, affectionately Topping him in the
stomach. Where have you been keep
ing yourself? 1 fancied you had up
with the mudhook and cleared month