The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-07-19
WHI1TAKER;S PLACE
By JosEnH C. LINCOLN
cssxaetA, 1eaa. ax 3. Appleton G. Co.

MY affair is not my business. I affirm l that 1t is my business. It is my bUs1-
 ness as Christian, and that business 1 should come before all others. have a child of my own 1 know what a ! fathers love is. And after sleepless 1 night I stand here before you today l determined that this man shall have 1 his own if my money-which you will, Pm sure, forgive my mentioning and my unf11nching support can give | it to him. That is my position" He l paused and with right hand raised launched his final thunderbolt. ''Whom l God hath joined" he proclaimed, 'tlet no one put asunder!' That settled it. The cheers shook the walls. Amid the tumu1t Dtnick and Bailey Bangs seized Captain Cy by the | shoulders and endeavored to lift him from his seat.
 'eFor the love of goodness. Whit, g groaned Josiah desperately, stand 1 up and answer him! If you don't we'll founder sure" The captain smiled grimly and shook his head. He had not taken his eyes from the face of the great Atkins since the latter began speaking.
 ''What," he replied, "after that put asunder' sockdoIager? Man alive. do you want me to add Sabbath break in to my other crimes ?' The vote by ballot followed almost immediately. It was pitiful to see the erstwhile Whitaker majority melt away. Alonzo Snow was hiumphantly elected. But a handful voted against him.
 c3anfain (yv retsrnfno from inc toxvn meeting to the Whitaker place, felt lonesome.
 War was already declared, and the reasons for it mattered little. The first skirnish might occur at any mo- ment. The situation was desperate. The captain squared his shoulders, thrust forward his chin and walked brisk1y up the path to the door of the dining room. It was nearly o'clock, but Bos'n had not yet gone.
 Hello, shipmate,' he hailed. 'sNot headed for school yet? Good. caI'late you needn't go this afternoon. Pm thinkin' of hirin' a team and drivfn' to OstabIe, and I didn't know but you'd like to go with me. Think you could without that teacher woman havin' you brought up aft for mutiny?s
 Bos'n thought it over.
 ''Yes, sir," she said, 'sI guess so, if you wrote me an excuse. I'd love to go, Uncle Cy."
 The captain removed his coat and hat and pulled chair forward to the table
 "Hellor' he exclaimed. sewhat's this the mailY'
 Bos'n smiled deIightedIy.
 'tYes, sir," she replied. 'I knew you was at the meeting, and so brought it from tbe office. Ain't you glad?''
 "SMre! Yes, indeed! Much obliged He smothered a groan and picked up the mail
 '.Hum," he mused-sthe Breeze, a circular and one letter. Hello! It isn't possible that We'll, welI!"
 The letter was in a long envelope. He hastily tore it open. At the inclo- sure he glanced in evident excitement. Then his smile returned.
 'fBos'n." he said after 8 moments reflection, q guess you and me won't have to go to Ostable after aI." No ticing the child's look of disappoint- ment, he added: ''But you needn't go to school. Maybe you'd better not You and nell take a tramp alongshore. What do you say?''
 "Oh, yes, Uncle Cy! Let's-shan weY
 ''Why, I don't see why not We'll cruise in company as long as we can, hey, little girl? The squalls likely to strike afore night" he muttered, half aloud "We'n enjoy the fine weather till it's time to shorten san-''
 They walked all that afternoon. Gap tain Oy was even more kind and gentle with his small companion than usual He told her stories which made her laugh, pointed out spots in the pines where he had played Indian when a boy, carried her pig back when she grew tired and kissed her tenderly when, at the back door of the Whit taker place he set her on her feet again.
 Shortly after their return Miss absence from school
 Suddenly steps sounded on the walk, there was a whispering outside, and some one knocked on the dining room door.
 The situation was similar to that of the evening when the board of strategy called and |tJohn Smith" made his first appearance. But now, oddly enough. Captain Cy seemed much less troubled. He looked at Miss Dawes, and there was dancing twinkle in his eye.
 'Is it"- began the lady in an agt- tated whisper.
 .aThe boardin' party? presume likely"
 'But what can you do?''
 Stand by the repel, guess" was the calm reply. '1 told you that they had most of the ammunition, but ours ain't all blank cartridges. You stay below and listen to the broadsideS-"
 They heard Georgianna cross the dining room. There was a murmur of voices at the door The captain nod ded-
 Its them," he said. ''Wen. here goes. Now, don't you show yourself"
 ''Do you think am afraid? Indeed, l shan't stay cheIoH, as vo11 call itI