The Delta independent., 1913-03-21


expostulation. went back to the par
sonage. She wrote to Grace and told
her the news of the San Jose, but she
said nothing of the minister's part in
1t. Poor thing" sighed Keziah. shes
bearin' enough already"
The sick sailor grew no better. Days
and nights passed and he raved and
moaned or lay in a stupor. Ebenezer
acted as day nurse while Ellery slept
and, at night, the minister, being
younger, went on watch. The doctor
came frequently, but said there was
no hope. A question OF time only, and
1 short time, he said.
Capen occupied his mind with specu.
atoms concerning the patient
DO you know, parson," he said.
seems If I'd seen the felIer some
where's afore. Course / never have,
but when l used to go whalin' wages
. cruised from one end of creation to
.'other. pretty nigh. and l might have
met him."
/ That night the sick man was much
worse. His rawlings were incessant.
/ The wooden clock. loaned by Mrs. Par
ker, the doctors wife, licked steadily.
1 iitHOuSu d NAH HOuT SLOW. Ellery,
glancing at it to see if the time had
come for giving medicine, suddenly
noticed how loud its ticking sounded
Wondering at this. he was aware there
was no other sound in the house. He
rose and looked in at the door of the
adjoining room. The patient had
ceased to rave and was lying quiet on
the bed
The minister tiptoed over to look at
him. And, as he did so, the man
opened his eyes
"Halloo!" he said family. who are
you?"
Ellery, startled. made no answer.
who are you?" demanded the man
again. Then, with an oath, he re-
peated the question. adding: What
place is this? This amt the fo'castle.
Where am I?'
You're ashore. On Cape Cod. At
Trumet"
'Trumeti Trumet!"
He was struggling TO raise himself
On his elbow ElIery was Obliged to
use force to hold him down He strug.
gled again. Then his strength and his
reason left him simultaneously and the
delirium returned. He began to shout
name a name that caused Ellery to
stand upright and step back from the
bed. scarcely believing his ears.
All the rest of that night the man
On the bed raved and muttered. but OF
people and places and happenings
which he had not mentioned before
And the minister. listening intently to
II he also was not losing his mind.
When the morning came, Ebenezer
Capen was awakened by a shake to
find John Ellery standing over him.
"Capen," whispered the minister
'Capen. get up. l must talk with you
You used to be whaler. / know.
We're you acquainted in New Bed.
.ord?".
"Sartin. Was time when I could
nave located every stick in it, pretty
nigh. by the smell. if you'd set me
1own side of 'em blindfolded."
Did you ever know anyone
named" He finished the sentence.
Wells I wanted to. Pretty decent
teller one time. but fast goer, and
went downhill like young ones sled,
when he got started, His folks had
money, that was the k,uble with him.
Why. course l knew him. He mar.
RED"
Il know. Now, listen"
Ellery went on talking rapidly and
with great earnestness. Ebenezer lis.
tened, at first silently, then breaking
N with calculations and grunts of as.
.onishment. He sat up on the edge of
the bed.
Rubbish" he cried at last. why,
tain't possible! The feller's dead as
Methusalem's grandmarm. l remem-
Der how it happened and"
1T wasn't true. That much / know.
know, tell you"
He went on to explain why he knew.
Capen's astonishment grew.
Judas priesti" he exclaimed again.
That would explain why thought I'd
seen There! heave ahead. I've
got to see. But it's a mistake. don't
believe it."
The pair entered the sick room.
The sailor lay in a stupor. His breath
Ing was rapid, but faint. Capen bent
over him and gently moved the band
age on his face. For full minute he
gazed steadily. Then he stood erect,
drew big red hand across his fore
head, and moved slowly back to the
living room.
"Yup." he said, "its him. Mr. FL
lery, what are you goin' to do about
IT."
II don't know. don't know. I
must go somewhere by myself and
think. ! don't know what to do"
The minister declined to wait for
breakfast. He said he was not hungry.
Leaving Ebenezer to put on the coffee
pot and take up his duties as day |