The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1914-08-25

an tndln> en-
al know" said Captain Amos. 81 can't
help thinkin', though, that if We only knew
how to git holt on him, we'd make him feel
like a diff trent man. OF course he might
never be real robust, but that's long ways
from dyin'"
"No, Henry's never been over-strong an
livey-not like you an me, Amos. Seems to
me you amt changed mite in that respect
for forty years Why, one day this summer,
remember happened to look out the door
an saw somebody rushin' by the house. Be
fore really got good look, says to myself,
L wonder what that young mans hurryin' SO
about Then l see twas YOU" She
glanced at him, with mischievous laugh.
"Is that SOP" said Captain Amos, oompla-
Gently "Well, | don't knows you'll find
many of these here youngsters any spryer me,
or tougher. don't knows feel any older'n
| used to, though l s'pose [ be- he added
with regretful sigh. Anyway, | amt
recognizin' no difference"
"Well, I wish somebody'd make Henry
feel like that she said, signing. "You must
come in to see him often, Amos. Why,
you've cheered me up just these few minutes "
She looked up at him with almost coquettish
air Something in the look awoke brilliant
thought in Captain Amos's fertile brain.
Il will will,'' he promised. Then he
laughed. 1--WE kind O. got notion-mebbe
can help him, Maria. It's worth tryin'."
"What is it?" she asked eagerly.
"Why, | guess I'll have to work it alone
for the present." he replied regretfully
LES see how it goes first before I begin to
crow"
1t was with definite purpose, therefore,
that, somewhat carelessly dressed, he set out
the next morning to call on the sick man,
talking to himself as he went.
Henry Ketchum amt lived with Maria
all these years without learnin' she amt goin'
to mourn for him long-if she gifts chance"
he muttered. "Now, if I show him how it's
goin' to work out, if he don't spunk up an
git well, I've lost my reckonin'."
He entered the sick mans room with all of
his wonted cheerfulness, and his first words
were nicely chosen to indicate the casualness
of his coming.
81 heard you was little under the weather,
Henry" he said, as he sauntered over to the
bed and took the sick mans limp hand in his
own hearty grasp, $50 l dropped in for
minute. Kind O wanted your advice. Don't
knows expected to find you in bed this time
O. day, though Thought you was an early
riser"
Il won't never rise no more, Amos" re-
piled the sick man feebly. "Thats all over
for me-"
"Sho!' exclaimed Captain Amos. Cant
be's bad as that"
Henry shook his head and turned rest
lessly.
I'll go before spring The doctor don't
give me no hope. Why, I've been dyin' for
years"
well, well" exclaimed Captain Amos
SADLY For a moment he sat in silence, rest
lessly twiddling his thumbs. When he again
spoke he felt the perfunctoriness of his ques-
ton even as he asked it: "What seems to be
the trouble, Henry?"
"They amt no one thing that stands out
beyond another" the sick man answered with
almost touch of pride; IS a kind OF COM
plication."
"Sometimes think" said Captain Amos
hopefully, grasping at straw, that in these
here complications they fight each other to
standstill, an there you be, ohock-a-block,
an Just alvin on without KNOWN why, but
still livin'."
"Not in my case" declared the sick man.
"You can't be sure" retorted Captain
Amos doggedly; nobody can. There's
more'n one way of lookin' at thing; now you
look at the bright side. Make up your mind
you SOln 10 i've. lie WAS SLtll d AOiIS
time, and when he spoke again it was with
the air of one who had looked for brighter
side, and found it. "Well, there's one
thing" he said, if you do go, you've got one
consolation-you'r leavin' Maria well fixed.
A young-lookin' woman like hers liable to
enjoy life-live on, that is to say-for years.
If she's left well provided, why, it amt quite
as if she want" he ended lamely.
eyes, guess that's So" acquiesced the
well-providing husband.
"She amt goin' to be so lonesome" added
Captain Amos. He glanced about the room,
then tiptoed to the window. For moment
he stood looking out with the searching
scrutiny of contemplated purpose; when
finally he came back to his chair his voice
had, regained something of its usual cheer
fulness.
81 was lookin' over your yard only yester-
day-went by on my way home. Sometimes
I've wished had little more ground myself,
an then, if / left the sea, I'd have something
to potter over. Now your place is just about
right. One thing, I'd cut down that big ba m
O. Gilead tree by the stoop. They litter up
good deal, an | don't call the smell natural to
any great extent"
THAT tree sprung up when the house was
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