Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-07-09
DAILY NOVELETTE,
LEM'S PLANS
BY CarIa r. Rosenthal
CAPTAIN HEzEKIAH pushed open


A roar indistinguishable as to words,
but perfectly recognizable as to voice,
rolled out to him. He whacked loudly at
an inner door. The roar ceased sud-
denly. lie heard a sound of swiftly re-
treating footsteps. Then Come in,'
beloved Lem fuckers voice. Captain
Hezekiah came in to find Lem the only
occupant of the room.
"Ahoy there" he said. (Hezekiah
| Strong had never in his life bad the
least connection with things nautical.
Hence his title and vocabulary
Whats the row.
Usual thing. That niece Of mine"
Lem looked apoplectic-''is the most
contrary-always has been. Minute she
knows l don't want her to do a thing
goes ahead and does it!'
What's it now?''
"Bessie's got notion that she wants
to marry Tommy Waterman"
"And what's the matter with Tommy
Waterman"
Matter with Tommy Waterman {!
Tommy Waterman" Lem almost
checked. MAN alive. tell you I've got
plans for her, I've got plans" he
roared, in voice so loud and with a
manner so fierce that anybody, not
having, like Strong, the advantage of
forty years acquaintance with the gen
teman. might have thought he was con-
templating murder. Captain Hezekiah
haStened to administer never failing
soothing syrup. Let's go fishing"
he said.
Captain Hezekiah left the house by
the side door and began strolling leis
urely away. He caught a glimpse of
girl sitting rather disconsolately in a
corner of the front piazza. He went
back into the house, picked up "A week
old paper from the wood cupboard
opened it. and passed out intently read
ing it. The girl looked up as he passed.
There was telltale redness about her
eyes, but her voice as she hailed him
was very gay.
"Hullo. Uncle Heck :" By virtue Of
his having no nicces nor nephews of his
own he was everybody's uncle. Wont
speak to me. will you? What are you
reading:'
Marriage notices." said Captain
Hezekiah.
Mercy Marriage notices. Who got
married.
Captain Hezekiah looked at his pa!
per. woman of sixty marries man
of twenty five" he read. "Eloped.
Did you ever?' calculated Bessie
Girl of sixteen marries youth of
seventeen" read on Captain Hezekiah.
"Eloped."
"Oh." said Bessie.
"Heiress marries fathers chauffeur
in face of parental opposition. Eloped.
Bessie looked sharply at him. She
said nothing.
"Your Uncle Lem and I are going
day after tomorrow on a two days fish
ing trip" said Captain Hezekiah.
Bessie said nothing
Good by" said Captain Hczekiah.
He strolled on. About half a mile fur
thpr on he came to IL house that was
being painted. One man stood on Il
ladder painting and another man stood
on the ground holding the ladder. Cap
tain Hczekiah read his paper and
stroled on
"Hullo. Uncle Heck" said the man
on the ground.
Captain Iiczekiah looked up. 1t was
Tommy Waterman.
"Hullo Tommy"
What you reading? War news"
Nav. Marriage notices"
"Hey"'
Woman of sixty marries man of
twenty fve." read Captain Hczckiah.
"Eloped."
Get out 49,
Girl of sixteen marrcs a youth of
seventeen. Eloped. y
Him"
Tommy looked thoughtful
. Lem Tucker and | are going day
after tomorrow on two days fishing
trip" said Captain Hezekiah.
Four days later at sundown Captain
Hczekiah Strong and Lemucl Tucker
returned from their fishing trip. They
separated and trudged on. Tucker to
his home, Hezekiah to his.
II thought you'd be coming about
now." said Sarah Ann Baker to Heze-
kiah. She was John Bakers widow
and second cousin to Hezskiah, besides
being his housekeeper.
Yes" said Captain Hezekiah. I'm
here. Any news?'
Peter Simpkins who's been missing
so many years has got back home"
said Sarah Ann.
us that so?'
Bessie Tucker and Tom Waterman
have eloped.'
'Is that so:
II shouldn't wonder if Lem was real
mad when he got home. and found it
out" said Sarah Ann.
II shouldn't WONDER agreed Cap
tain Hezekiah.
Next morning he went to call on Lem.
He walked leisurely along. Just before
he reached LENS place he heard a
sound which, while it was not exactly
like it. reminded him very much of the
noise he had heard the other day.
HIM" soliloquized Captain Heze
kiah. looking at the sky, "Squally." He
stopped minute. considering. "Well, -
he said, Il didn't give 'em any advice.
If they want to be headstrong-" He
walked on.
He came a little nearer where he could