The Little River news., 1920-08-21

blighter maxim love to girl as is old enough to be yer mother'
 "A woman" MT. Geary retorted sagely and nN whit abashed, Ifs at the apex of her feminine charms at thirtyseven."
 He knew his landlady to be not a day under fifty, but such is the ease with which the Irish scatter their blarney that neither Billy Geary nor Mother Jenks regarded this pretty speech in the light of an observation immaterial, inconsequential and not germane to the matter at issue. Ney- ertheless, there was a deeper reason for his blarney. This morning, watch ing the telltale tinge of pleasure un- deriving the alcohol-begotten hue of the good creatures face, he felt al- most ashamed of his own heaNless- ness-almost, but not quite.
 For two months he had existed en- tirely because of the leniency of Moth CT Jenks in the matter of credit. He could not pay her cash, devoutly as he hoped to do some day, and he consid- cred 1t 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 He never employed the same defensive tactics two days in succession. and when personal flattery threatened to fail him. a large crayon reproduction of the late Henry Jenks which hung over the back bar. was never.failing source of inspiration.
 This was the "sainted Emery" pre- viously referred to by Mother Jenks He had been a sergeant in Her Brit tanic Majesty's Royal Horse artillery and upon retiring to the reserve had hardened to a proposition to emigrate to Sobrante and accept a commission as colonel of artillery with the gov ernment forces then in the throes of revolutionary attack. The rebels had triumphed, and as result Emery had been sainted via the customary ex- peditious route; whereupon his wife had had recourse to her early profeS- sion of barmaid, and Fl Buen Amigo had resulted.
 However, let us return to our sheeps. as Mir. Geary would have ex- pressed it. Seemingly the effect of Billy's compliment was instantly evi- dent for Mother Jenks set out two glasses and bottle.
 "I know yer trifler Willy Geary." she simpered, "but if I do s'y it as shouldn't, I was accounted as and some barmaid as you'd find in Bris- tol town. I've lost my good looks, what with grief an wOrrtin' since losin' my sainted Emery, but l was 'andsome oncet."
 "I can well believe it. Mother since you are handsome still, For my part" he continued confidentially, as with shaking hand he filled his brandy glass, you'll excuse this drunkard's drink, Mother, but need it; had the shakes again last night-for my part, I prefer the full-blown rose to the bud"
 Mother Jenks f1uttered like a 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.
 Changing the subject from feminine grace and charm to manly strength and virtue, I've been marking lately the resolute poise of your martyred husbands head on his fine military shoulders. There was man, if may judge from his photograph, that would fight wildcat"
 "Oh, m'ybe "e wouldn't" Mother Jenks haste0ed to declare. "You know, Willie, I was present wen they shot i'm, a-waitin' to claim is body. 'E kisses me goodbye, an says e: Brace