Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1919-12-12
PETERS, PARTNER
BY JACK LAYTON.

AeIcfS house was never closed during
al the seasons. Each SprinGtimc found
MN wh!stiing with fresh cheer as he
planted flowers in his tiny garden. and
during the gay months OF summer.
fcicrS porch wns usually occupied by
eager Youngsters from cottages III
shore in search of the pretty shcI,
beads or ornaments, which Peter loye1
Ia give them.
Now Il golden October. gave TO seq
and land one last gift of summer. and
refer sat summing himself Oh the porch
IN his ruSh-hottomcd chair.
A girl came presently like scarlet
"ird flying across the sands. Her hair
WAS wind-hlOwn and her cheeks as
crimson rs the sweater she wore.
Daddy Peter" she cried, when
vii! YOU remember to wear YOUR coat
When You sit outdoors. The air Is
chill, even in this sunshine" She had
reached his side now. seating herself
on a step beneath him.
licr appearance brought to old
Peters face Il dozen kindly wrinkles
OF humor and tenderness.
you will get back ut me with your
babying. Nell" he said, "jnst because
happened TO bring you up that way"
You did bring me up Daddy Peter"
the girl said softly, from the time my
parents persisted in this same smiling
sea. I'll never forget that--it was Il
good bringing up. too. You could not
80, IL.
She raised solemn eyes to his. II
will never forget my debt to you," she
said. The words We're like covenant.
Debt" ScOffed the old man. "Why
child. you've paid me over and over
again in Kindness"
Il will always be kind" the girl
added firmly. She lowered her eyes to
hide sudden tears.
sometimes" said Peter, II have IN
uncomfortable fancy that young Dave
an you care for each other, but that
you won't admit the caring to him for
fear your going would leave me In the
lurch. Nell ~ he spoke earnestly.
You wouldn't let any nonsense like
that keep you from your happiness"
You are imagining. Daddy Peter"
the girl laughed. She patted his
wrinkled hand and arose as a young
man came swinging toward them.
Il thought" said the big young man,
strangely shy, "that YOU might walk to
town with me. Nell"
And Nell went
The old man looked up surprised as
visitor came walking up.
"Good evening" greeted the stran-
ger. You won't remember me, but
used to come and sit in your porch
while my grandchildren begged for
shells. We stopped ut the hotel. To-
day such q longing came over me to
smell salt water again and to breathe
in the air that / had my daughters
chauffeur drive me out. You see, sir"
lie added, as Peter offered his own
comfortable chair, Il was brought up
close to the sea my father was fish
elrnan. WE'LL made bit. but no
other place has ever spelled home TO
me. As I get older 1 seem to want to
be near the water. That's why my
daughter brought me here last sum
nlcr. But 1t wasn't the same" The
old gentleman sighed. lone can't take
comfort with Jeanette and her chill
dren some way, even if Jeanette is my
daughter. John--that's her husband.
he means well. Johns decent to me-
But" the old stranger studied the
face Of the Old seaman, II wonder" he
unused, "if YOU can possibly know what
1t means to feel ones self in the way,
to be borne with. you understand, and
treated pleasantly, but in the wayT"
no" Peter answered, II don't know
what it means 10 feel like that. do
as | please. No one about to be
bothered. Nell. my foster daughter. is
teaching school and boarding. She
thinks she has got to stay near me, to
run In ana keep me from being lonely.
m confess that ! get lonesome. eve.
niDgs. Otherwise my life is pretty
happy. / read the books | like, an
at cooking. Winters, witt, the wind
howliuG cross the beach. an my fire
aglOwing inside. some apples baking
inebbc. an me in the lamplisht there
with the evening paper sud Peter
blissfully, that's peace"
YES" cXcltedly agreed the stranger.
IT'S freedom and pleasure the year
round. i Gun see that. Then, the feel
of the sea!
"Tliis Is what I came about today.
Eve been thinking the thing over since
watched you last summer. Could
you take partner in-freedom? My
self, sir. I'd be more than content
with my books and you to talk to. VIII
you share your home, II my money
keeps 1t goingT'
Peters knotted hands grasped the
porch rail. A CLEAN came into his