Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1920-10-29
CHAPTER lv--Continued.

For two months he had existed en-
tjrely because of the lenlency or Moth'
or Jerks In the matter of credit. lie
could not pay her cash, devoutly as he
hoped to do some day, and he consid'
cred II of the most vital importance
that in the interim he should some
how survive. Therefore. In lieu OF
cash he paid her compliments, which
she snapped up greedily.
An inventive genius was Billy. lie
never EMPLOYED the same defensive
tactics two days In succession, and
when personal fattery threatened TO
Tail him. large crayon reproduction
of the late Henry jerks, which hung
over the back bar, was ncver-fallihg
source of inspiration.
This was the "sainted Emery pre-
yiously referred to by Mother jerks
He had been sergeant in Her Brit
tanic Majesty's Royal Horse artillery
and upon retiring TO the reserve had
hardened to proposition to emlgrate
10 Sobrante and accept a commission
as colonel of artillery with the gov
ernment forces then In the throes of a
revolutionary attack. The rebels had
triumphed. and as result Emery had
been salnted via the customary ex-
pedItious route; whereupOn his wife
had had recourse to her early profess
sion of barmald and FL Buen Amigo
had resulted.
However, let us return to our
sheeps, AS Mr.. Geary would have ex-
pressed 1t. Seemingly the effect OF
Billy's compliment was instantly evil
dent. for Mother jerks set out two
glasses and bottle.
~ know yer Il trlfler, Willy Geary,
she simpered "but If / do sly 1t as
shouldn't, was accounted as and
some a barmaid as you'd find in Bris-
toll town. I've lost my good looks,
what with grief an worrltin' since
losin' my salnted Emery, but ] was
'andsome 0ncet."
~ can well believe it, Mother
since you are handsome still! For my
part" he continued contldentinlly, rs
with shaking hand he filled his brandy
glass, you'll excuse this drunkards
drink. Mother, but need It; | had the
shakes again last nlght--for my part
prefer the full-blown rose to the
bud"
Mother jerks fluttered like debu-
tante as she poured her drink. They
touched glasses, calloused worldlings
that they were.
He tossed off his drink. It warmed
and strengthened him, after his night
of chills and fever, and brazenly he re-
turned TO the attack.
"Changng the subject from feminine
grace and charm to manly strength
and virtue, I've been marking lately
the resoute poise of your martyred
husbands head on his fine military
shoulders. There was man, II | may
Judge from his photograph, that would
fight wildcat"
"Oh, m'ybe e wouldn't" Mother
jerks FASTENED to declare. "You know.
Willie, was present wen they shot
i'm, a-waitin' to claim is body. Il
kisses me goodbye, an says e: Brace
ND. OIL girl. Remember your 'usbands
been a sergeant In 'Er Majesty's Royal
'Orse artillery, an don't let the bloody
blighters see yer cry Then e walks
out front. with lis fine straight back
10 the wall, draws circle on is blue
tunic with white chalk an says
shoot at that, yer yeller-bellied
Founders, an be id to yer
ITO be the widow Of such gallant
son of Mars" Billy declared, sis a
greater honor than being the wife of a
duke. All, Mother" he added with a
note of genuine gratitude and sin
ce~lty. you've been awfuly good to
me. don't know what I'd have done
without you" He laid his hand on her
fat arm. Mother, one of these days
I'll get mine, and when do I'm going
to stake you to a nice little pub back
in Bristol"
She smiled at him with motherly
tenderness and shook her head. In q
concrete niche in the mortuary of the
Cathedral de la Vera Cruz the bones
OF her salnted Emery reposed, and
when her hour came she would lie be-
side him.
"Yer a sweet boy. Willie" she told
him. "an' I'd trust yer for double the
score, shelp me. Ewing knows
'aven't much, but wot | ave | shares
freely with them likes"
Mother jerks preceded him into the
shfsly side Of the veranda. where or
Know One Like Hlm7
~Can Jiggs take a joker
.T'm sorry to say he can"
"Sorry"
eyes. He takes 'em from the hum
orous papers, after I've read 'em, ant
snrings them on me as his own"
Superstition Respected.
- Al -