The Bottineau courant. (Bottineau, Bottineau County, N.D.) 1895-1929, 1916-04-20
CHAPTER vi.
Darkness and Indecision.

Darkness and lndecision.
In one of the small parks OF San
Francisco that night a young man sat
on a bench, his hands thrust deep in
the pockets of his coat, his collar
turned up, his felt hat drawn v his
yes. To judge from his clothes and
what could be seen of his features,
his condition in life was on a some
what higher plane than that of the
other men who swarmed the park.
At nine o'clock Mr.. Archibald Hem
enway entered this park and walked
slowly through it. Returning, he
flung himself on the bench occupied
by the young mar in the soft felt hat"
"He's either in love or in trouble,
thought Hemenway, after eying him
for some minutes; "Tll tap him." If
the young man was aware Of the new
comer's presence he gave no indiea-
ton of it.
"Fine night, isn't it," observed
Hemenway.
The young man turned his head
slowly, looked at. Hemenway for a
moment, and resumed his former
pose.
81 say it's a fine night" repeated
I~Iemenway
The young man gave his neignbor
another look and scroWled Suppose
1t is, l can't help it, he replied test.
lily.
"Now, now, don't get fussy. What's
the matter-down on your luck?"
The other hesitated, then drew him
self up, squared around to Hemenway
and almost smiled. "My luck is all
right, so far" he said; Tn down OH
myself, that's ALP
Don't mind a little thing like that"
said Hemenway jovially; ~give me the
luck and I'll take chances on myself
any time. I'll tell you something"
and Hemenway plunged into what he
| considered an essay On the art of be-
ing cheerful. "Now, I don't want you
to tell me the story of your life,'' he
| concluded, moi am I going to weary
| you with the story of my life, but !
will just mention the fact that I am
junior partner of the firm of CHEEKY
BILE Brothers"
"Never heard sof Them" remarked
| the young man indifferently. rs
their place of business in this town"
well, / represent them here just
now, but I'm going to establish a
branch office in the South Sea Is
lands. Want to GO along?"
The young man stared violently
and bent his eyes on Hemenway in q
kind Of wild stare. Then he smiled
| feebly. ~If I didn't know you were
giving me a fairy tale / would say
Yes" he replied after q pause. ri
was Just dreaming of the South Sea
Islands when you anne along and dis
turbed me-
Except In q few unimportant de-
tails there is no fairy tale about it,"
replied Hemenway. Nov. you say
you are down on yourself. Here's q
chance to get it out Of your system.
I am going to the South Sea Islands
very soon. Although I only saw you
for the first time ten minutes ago, /
hereby invite you to go along-under
certain conditions. I'm a pretty good
! Judge of human nature"
The young man thrust his hands
| deep in his pockets again and resum-
ed his former detected pose. He
thought intently for q few minutes.
At length he faced Hemenway and
said:
when are you going, how are you
going. and what are the conditions1,
Hemenway assumed the air OF a
man trying to sell another man q bill
OF goods. Here's the situation. he
said. I'm in poor health. Ny doctor
tells me a trip to q tropical climate
is best for what ails me. I've got .
schooner yacht and q little money. but
/ can't afford to pay wages to 9 cap
tain and crew for 9 long trip like this.
Have 4 cigar? No? I carry q
/ few around but don't smoke myself.
Now. then In order to take this trip
rye got to dig up 9 crew Of young
fellowssthat will make the trip for the
fun Of the thing. ] don't want any
rough necks.