Perth Amboy evening news., 1920-01-30
PETERS PARTNER
BY JACK LAYTON.


ali the seasOns. Each springtime founc
. him whistling with fresh cheer as ht
planted flowers in his tiny garden, and
during the gay months of summer
Peters porch was usually occupied by
eager Youngsters from cottages NJ
shore in search of the pretty shell
beads or ornaments. which Peter loved
to give them.
Now a golden October I've to sea
and and one last gift Of summer, and
Peter sat summing himself on the porch
In his ruSh-bottomed chair.
A girl came presently like a scarlet
bird flying across the sands. Her hair
was wlnd-blown and her cheeks as
crimson as the sweater she wore.
Daddy Peter!" she cried. when
will you. remember to wear your coat
Wien you sit outdoors. The air Is
chill, even in this sunshine" She had
reached his side now, seating herself
on g step beneath him.
Her appearance brought to old
Peters lace a dozen kindly wrinkles
OF HuH1OT anu lCbuti uNoo'
lyon will get back at me with your
babying, Nell" he said, Just 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 a
good bringing up. too. You could not
have done more for your own blood"
She raised solemn eyes to his. Il
will never forget my debt to you" she
said. The words We're like a covenant.
Debt" scoffed the old man. Why
Child, you've paid me over Il over
again in kindness"
81 will always be kind" the girl
added firmly. She lowered her eyes to
hide sudden tears.
Sometimes" said Peter, II have an
uncomfortable fancy that young Dave
nm you care for each other, but that
you won't admit the caring to him for
fear your going would leave me in the
Iurch. NellT 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 yonng
mar came swinging toward them.
II thought" sale the big young man.
strangely shy that you might walk to
town with ne, Nell"
"Of course" urged Peter. "Go, girl
And Nell went.
The old man looked up surprised as
q visitor came walking up.
Good evening greeted the stran-
ger. "You won't remember me, but l
used to come and sit In your porch
while my grandchildren begged for
shells. We stopped at the hotel. To
day such a longing came over me to
smell salt water again and to breathe
In the air that l had my daughters
chauffeur drive me out. You see, sir"
he added, as Peter offered his own
comfortable chair, Il was brought up
close to the sea my father was a fish
erman. WE'LL made a bit, but no
other place has yer spelled home to
me. AS | get older / seem to want to
be near the water. That's why my
daughter brought me here last sum-
mer. But 1t wasn't the same" The
sid gentleman sighed. "One 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 we'll. Johns decent to me.
But" the old stranger studied the
face Of the old seaman, 81 wonder" he
unused, ST you car possibly know what
1t means to feel ones self in the way,
10 be borne with, you understand, and
treated pleasantly, but in the wayT"
mo" Peter answered, II don't know
what 1t mean to feel like that. | dc
as I 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, tc
run In and keep me from being lonely
I'll confess that 1 get lonesome, eve
nlngs. Otherwise my life is pretty
happy. ! read the books / like, an
smoke my pipe, and I'm a master hant
at cooking. Winters, with the wine
bowling cross the beach, an my fire
ALLOWING inside, some apples baking
mebbe, an me in the lamplight there
with the evening paper" said Peter
b~lissfully, "that's peace"
YES" excitedly agreed the stranger
.It's freedom and pleasure the year
round, l can see that. Then, the fee
of the seal
'"This is what l came about today
I've been thinking the thing over since
1 watched you last summer Gould
you take a partner in-freedom? My
self, sir. I'd be more than content
with my books and you to talk to. vii
you share your home, if my none.
keeps 1t gOingf"
Peters knotted hands grasped thu
porch rail-. A CLEAN came into hi
faded eyes.
"Are you sure you mean 1t, stran
ger?" he asked. II bin sitting here to
day wondering how / could manag,
through another winter. | don't tel
Nell my troubles for I want her t.
$ marry the man she loves. l was try
Ing to say good-by to my home; nov
you come and offer to keep 1t for me
: Can I-refuse?"
81 hope not" the old gentleman an
swered gravely.
~ 1900 --.akTs-