The Delta independent., 1913-01-31
CHAPTER VII.
In Which the Parson and Mr.. Pepper

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That afternoon. when dinner was
over, the Reverend John decided to
make a few duty calls. The first of
these he determined should be on the
Peppers.
The Pepper house was situated just
off the main road on the lane leading
over the dunes to the ocean and the
light. 1t was a small building. its
white paint dingy and storm beaten,
and its little fenced-in front yard dot
ted thickly with clumps OF silver-leaf
saplings. A sign. nailed crookedly on
post, informed those seeking such in
formation that within was to be found
-Abishai G. w. Pepper. Tax Collector.
Assessor, Boots and Shoes Repaired"
And beneath this was fastened a shin
gle with the chalked notice. salt Hay
for Sale"
The boot and shoe portion Of the
hrst sign was a relic OF other days.
Ryan had been a cobbler once, but II.
Is discouraging to wait three or four
weeks while the pair OF boots one has
left to be resoled are forgotten in 6
corner.
The minister walked up the dusty
lane, lifted the Pepper gate. swung It
back on its one hinge, and knocked
at the front door. No one coming in
answer to the knock. he tried again.
Then from somewhere in the rear OF
the house came the sound of a human
voice.
hi" 1t called family. Whoever
you be. don't bust that door down.
Come round here"
Ellery came along" as far as the
angle where the ell joined the main
body of the house. So far as he could
see every door and window was closed
and there were no signs of life. How
ever. he stepped TO the door. green
painted affair of boards, and ventured
another knock.
Don't start that poundin' again!"
protested the voice. Come round to
t'other side where I be-"
So around went the Reverend John,
smiling broadly. Blu. even on "tother
side" there was no one to be seen.
And no door. for that matter.
"Whyn exclaimed the voice, "if
faint Mr.. Ellery! How dye do? Glad
to see you, Mr.. Ellery. Fine day. amt
It? Here I be at this window"
Sure enough; one of the windows
on this side OF the house was raised
about six inches at the bottom, the
shade was up. and peering beneath the
sash the minister discerned the ex-
pressive features of Abishai Pepper
or as much OF those features as the
size Of the opening permitted to be
seen.
"Oh!" exclaimed the visitor, "is that
you, Mr.. Pepper? Well, I'm glad to
see you, at last. You are rather hard
to see, even now"
"Er-er-come to call. did you?"
why, yes, that was my intention"
Hum! Er-er-Laviny, she's gone
over to Thankful Payne's. She heard
that Thankful's cousin up to Middle
boro had died-passed away. mean
and she thought she'd run over and
find out II Thankful was willed any
thing. She said she'd be back pretty
soon."
VERY well. Then, as she won't be
gone long. perhaps I'll come in and
wait"
you see, Mr. Ellery." stammered
Ryan. I'D like to have you come in
fust rate. but-er-Laviny she's got
the key. She-she- Oh. consarn 1t
all, Mr.. Ellery, she's locked me In this
room a-purpose. SOS l won't get out
and go somewheres without her know
in It,"
"She done 1t a-purpose." continued
Ryan. In burst Of confidence. She
had me put one Of them new-fangled
spring locks on the door OF this room
t'other day. cause she said she was
afraid Of tramps and wanted some
place to shat herself up in II one OF
'em come. And-and after dinner to-
day she sent me In here for somethin'