Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-05-18

~ Merrill Company.
said Matt in shiver of expectation
and hope
Hes stuck here without cent"
put in Coleman, land it don't matter
to him much where you land him as
long as it is something dry. with a
palm tree on it and cold missionary on
the sideboard." a
/. They all laughed at this, and then
Schwartz said: II wasn't meaning to
stop anywhere this side of the Solo
mons-but he can gone, he can
GOMEZ" Laying his hand on Mats
shoulder, he added: "Old South Sea
captains should stand together. You'd
have done the same for me, and dat
is all there is to 1t" ....
"Then you'll give me passage?'
cried Matt, hardly able to credit his
good fortune:
"Sure l WILL" returned Schwartz,
'and I'll put you ashore anywhere on
the line of march, e.
His wife's along" interjected Cole
man, winking at Matt; and a corking
young woman she is, too. Sings
splendid and plays the mandoleen. and
1t will be dandy of a moonlight night
to sit on the poop and hear her"
"You got wife," asked the captain,
apparently much pleased. Say, but
dat will he fine! Young, she is?" :
"Twenty-three," replied Matt.
Schwartz looked happier than ever.
"You come on to Malaita," he said.
Me, l am married, too, and got two
lettle babies, so high-everything
fine, fine, but my wife she Is very
lonesome for white society," think
she jump for Joy to see another young
white lady. And I'll get you a good
poseetion on the plantation or In the
company's store"
The good hearted little captain had
settled it all, and volubly repudiated
any other course than that Matt should
accompany him to the Solomons. The
more he talked, the more enthusiastic
he became, opening his watch and
showing q photograph of his wife and
children. His wife was named Hilda.
and this was Wilhelm, and this was
Hlldebrand, and
Joe, who believed In hitting while
the iron was hot, carried then down
the street to a bar, where they drank
a cocktail at his expense, and another
round at the captains expense, and
another round at MATHS expense, and
grew increasingly friendly and con-
fldential. Then nothing would satisfy
Schwartz but that he should return
with Matt to Washington block and be
present when the great news was brok-
en- to Chris. Saying good-by to Cole
man they started, walking arm in arm,
like a pair of cronies, with tongues
lacsened by the liquor they had drunk
| and Matt inexpressibly grateful and
elated-for the Esmeralda was to sail
the next day, and Schwartz had prom
Used him the owners cabin, as we'll as
inviting him and Chris to dine on
board that very night. BY way of
celebration Matt bought bunch OF
roses and box OF candy, and 1t was
in this gala fashion and with over
flowing spirits that he mounted the
stairs of No. and knocked at Chris
door. n" .-
Shake hands with the best and
kindest fellow in the world,' he ex-
claimed. as she shrank at the sight
of stranger. Chris, this is Captain
Schwartz, of the schooner Esmeralda,
who has dropped from heaven to
rescue u.s.
dis is the first time was ever re-
ported from heaven" said Schwartz,
laughing explosively. Delighted to
meet you, Mrs. Broughton.-No,t thank
you, I will not sit down. weeshed
merely to give my invitation in per-
son, and extend the courtesies Of my
ship to so charming lady"
"Invitation?"
Chris raised her tear-stained face to
her husband in inquiry. She was
timid and confused, and at loss to
understand what had happened.
"The captain wants us to dine on
board tonight Matt explained, "and
tomorrow we sail with him to the
islands! Just think of it, Chris
we're sailing tomorrow, actually sail
ing tomorrow"
"Anywhere you like, old chap" put
in Schwartz royalty, though If you
will listen to me, Mrs. Broughton, you
will go on to Maltaita, where my wife
is, and the captain can get a good
poseetion." Ill.,.
"And we're to have the owners
cabin, Chris" cried Matt. did you
ever hear the like of that!Fz Isn't that
kind, though? Isn't that wonderful?
loll tAdt uIOPplASo IL oSAA hSS'SAA'
Chris, now excited too, admitted that
it was, and with shining eyes regarded
the man to whom they owed so much.
If he were not very prepossessing In
appearance, and was more boisterous
and familiar than so short an acquaint-
ance warranted, he certainly must
have heart of gold; and she ascribed
his shortcomings to not unworthy
desire to place them at their ease. She
thanked him warmly, and exerted her
self with all her woman's art to &C.
ment friendship that seemed des-
tined to extricate them from their
difficulties. ~
After some further conversation the
two men left her to complete her
toilet, and a little later she joined
them at the entrance of No. Z. From
here they took a street car to the
water front, where they walked along
on foot until they reached the wharf
where the Esmeralda was lying. In
contrast with the towering clipper
ships all about her the Esmeralda ap-
peared to be a toy, and SO diminutive