The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1920-01-29
PETERS PARTNER
BY JACK lAWTON. L

dT UOWn on lle lpuelI DedEll was
the clubhouse. it's door barred for the
winter; farther still. quite alone, stood
a little house where Peter lived. Old
Peters house was never closed during
all the seasons. Each Springtime found
him whiStlipg with fresh cheer as he
planted flowers in his tiny garden, and
during the gay months of summer,
Peters porch was usually occupied by
eager youngsters from cottages up
shore in search Of the pretty shell
beads or ornaments, which Peter loved
to give them.
Now a golden October gave to sea
and land one last gift Of summer, and
Peter sat summing himself on the porch
In his ruSh-bottomed chair.
A girl came presently like scarlet
bird flying across The sands. Her hair
was wind-blown and her cheeks as
crimson as the sweater she wore.
DADDY Peter" she cried, when
will you remember 10 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.
Her appearance brought to old
Peters face dozen kindly wrinkles
Of humor and tenderness.
You will get back ut me with your
babying. Nell" he said, lust because
happened to bring you up halfway.
you did bring me up Daddy Peter"
the girl said softly, from the time my
parents periShed 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 were like a covenant.
Debt" scoffed the old man. why
child, you've paid me over and over
again in kindness"
81 will always be kind" the girl
added firmly. She lowered her eyes to
hide sudden tears.
Sometimes" said Peter, 81 have an
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"
"Of course" urged Peter. "Go, girl"
And Nell went.
The old man looked up surprised rs
q 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 at the hotel. To-
day such 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, 81 was brought up
close to the sea my father was a fish
ernan. Well-I made a bit, but no
other place has ever 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
old gentleman sighed. Zone 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
mused, "if you can possibly know what
II 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 to 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 and keep me from being lonely.
I'll confess that l. get lonesome, eve
nings. Otherwise my life is pretty
happy. l read the books l like, an
smoke my pipe, and I'm master hand
at cooking. Winters, with the wind
bowling cross the beach, an my fire
aglowing inside, some apples baking,
uebbe, an me in the lamplight there
with the evening paper" said Peter
blissfully, that's peace"
"Yes," excitedly agreed the stranger.
"Its freedom and pleasure the year
round, can see that. Then, the feel
of the sea
This Is what / came abort today.
I've been thinking the thing over since
I watched you last summer. Could