Mower County transcript., 1914-01-07
CHAPTER XIII.


and said with a strange earn
sestness:: Matt. IS want to tell you
something
Nv by. what is it r he asked care
lessly.
We were followed all the way up
from the ferry.
Followed p
Yes. man followed US: I'm posi-
uyeof i. $ She rose. and going to the
window. looked out.
..Oh. Matt, there he is now!' she
cried. Come quick. =
But Matt was too late; the man had
disappeared in the direction Of
saloon. =5sEs
Matt had intended to go to Snood
! & Hargreaves and. demanding an ex-
Iplanation Of their outrageous conduct,
i force them to settlement. His posi-
tion was unassailable. II they could
, show him no ring-and he knew they
!, did not have it-he could threaten
them with the police and press them
to the wall. But the unwisdom Of
such course grew more and more ap-
parent. It would be tantamount to
announcing his arrival to Mr.. Kay,
with unforeseeable dangers and CON
! sequences:
Snood & Hargreaves were put by
as a last resort, only to be braved In
the extremity Of misfortune. Instead,
Matt would make the round OF the
business houses with which he had
formerly dealt on John Mort's behalf
and borrow sufficient money. IL he
could, for steerage passage in the
mail steamer to Samoa
Chris accompanied him. 1t was q
clustering, windy day, bleak and
cheerless, and it seemed to become
bleaker and more cheerless still as
Matt was denied at one Office after
another. He was the victim of by
gone zeal, Of bygone loyalty and hon
esty. However lightly he had spent
his own money. he had always been
hard bargainer where John Mort's was
concerned. How remorselessly that rs
per cent for cash" now rose in iudg-
ment against him-that II can do bet
ter at Turner's or whatever it was
to bring down the price.
By 4 o'clock he had to confess him
self beaten. Except for ship chandler
at the foot Of Market street, the list Of
possible lenders was exhausted. But
ne had never put much business in this
mans way, whose last name he had
some trouble in remembering. Yes.
Coleman, that was it-Joe Coleman. a
Jolly old Englishman as round as
| tub.
Coleman greeted him heartily-so
| heartily that Matt was ashamed of the
surprise he was about to spring.
You'd better be careful, Joe" he
said, with wretched effort at smile.
'.I'm on my uppers, and every shake
Of my hand may cost you $5.''
Well, Well"' exclaimed Coleman in
sham trepidation. "Here, sit down on
that barrel and have cigar. Bless
you. lad. It's like old times to see YOU
again.
Joe was common old fellow, but
his robust good will and sympathy
We're very warming. Putting at his ci-
gar and leaning against an anchor, he
told Matt ito get on with his tale of
Woe s's:.
Matt obeEed, but with reservations,
saying briefly that he had tried shore
life and failed and wanted to return to
the islands.
That's easy" said Coleman. ''No
need to be so blue about it. I'm good
for hundred dollars. 1 always liked
you. Broughton, and when like man
it don't stop at the trousers pocket.
Bless your handsome face, it don't.
All you've to do is to catch the mail
boat and make bee line for the CO.
coanuts and the girls
7 have mine with me, Joe. I'm mar
ried.'''
'Oh, I say!' Coleman exclaimed, rub
bing his chin and looking worried.
You've been going it, haven't you? A
hundred hun dollars is about my limit. I
/ couldn't go more than a hundred, and
that's what they charge for single
passage to Samoa. Hold on, though, I
have It! Ship steward or work your
way and let wifey be the passenger
/ Coleman suddenly dashed to the
door and grabbed the arm OF man
who had stopped for q moment to
1 peer in. He was a short, thick set
/ person Of seafaring cut with the APP
pearance of a north German or a
scandinavian and popping blue eyes
that danced with good humor. He
was efusiyely introduced to Matt as
Captain Schwartz OF the schooner Es-
meralda 'Es:s5 sss
fancfed you had up with the mud
hook and cleared a month ago!'' cried
i Coleman.
No such luck growled Captain
Schwartz in q strong German accent.
Every body behind; every body hum
bugging; drouble. drouble. drouble all
the time
Here's some more. : said Coleman
i cheerfully. indicati Matt. He's go
ing with you. and when may he come
Il 1$ahOard sB He's a south 500 ra nta IN lilvn