The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1921-03-09
A Souvenir Of the
Amazon
By LATlMER J. WILSON

l
tain and q necklace of pesriy clouds
hung across the sky dazzling the
eyes Of Miss Liberty standing on her
little island in the bay. Dark trans
ports and coast-piying ships were an
thOred In the harbOr when a long spic-
snd-span fabricated steel vessel, fresh
~ arrived from South American
ports, slid past and locked At her
pier.
A short. bowiegged sailor, carrying |
an Oblong box, came ashore. His hair |
was long, his eyes looked criss-crOss |
over the bridge Of his sharp nose and
his chin wore q jungle underbrush OF
beard. AS straight as his seawOrthy
legs would convey him he went to one
Of those small lodging houses near the
waterfront. deposited his box In q cor
him by the redfaced landlady. went
to barber shop In the neighborhood
| and then took q subway train to
| Harlem.
Later he advanced up the long
flights that led to the top door Of
tenement In q crosstown street. 1t
was certainly an unconventional hour
for calling upon a lady, but Dave
knew his business.
ITS me. Liz-can I come in?" he
secuted in response to the inquiry
that followed his knocking upon the
door. Instantly the door flung open
and two warm arms were around his
neck.
Il was expectin' you, Dave. I knew
it must be about time for your boat
to dock" Then presently. after other
fond greetings. she asked il he want
ed something to eat. A table was
spread and the two sat down to
breakfast.
The girl was not unattractive in
appearance. Her hair was long and
dark, and her eyes were blue enough
to proclaim her descent from the
kings Of the Emerald Isle.
what dye think. Lz," broke forth
her fance with the energy that comes
with a sudden idea. Have you still
got the bug about acting on the stage?
I've brought what you asked for when
was here last trip. and it's cor
kerr" beamed the sailor with antici-
pated pleasure.
For q moment the girl seemed puz-
. zied. then she grinned with pleased
surprise.
, You don't mean to say you've
brought me one OF them big snake.
from monkey land: I'd most change
my mind since we talked about tn,
, snake-eharming business That CIR
up at Hubers didn't make near thu
salary she pretended. found out
, But. anyway. the stage will suit bet
ter than workin' forever in a laun
dry. Where's your pet-got i'm fl
your pocket:~ she added with a broat
grin.
81 left i'm over in my room. hu
TIL fetch i'm along tonight Now In
thinkin' that we'll make good thin,
out Of this here snake. It's one o
them piethongs. or anacondas. ant
he's young enough to manage"
TIN still thinkin' Of maxim my day
boo In theatricals on the night tina
amateurs goes on. they lets anybod
what's got a stunt to take a chanc
at gettin' the hook" said the girl. -
! amt got time to talk any more nov
about II. but you bring your frfen
over here tonight and TIL rehears
With I'm"
In q few minutes the two wer
walking With the rush hour crow
toward the subway. The mornin
sun was beginning to cast warm ray
upon the pavement and the girl kne'
that she would be late for work.
"rn tel you" suggested her par
ner. "tonight you call In the Grove
Set 'em all here and we'll have
J regular dress rehearsal. Put on you
himseys and we'll see how the az
? takes. Cool air makes that snak
!. dopy. You can do anything with ii
when he's cold Wrap i'm aroun
your neck. put your head in his moutl
lust do anything" said Dave wit
conviction. 'Well make enous
money to set US up in style. You
give up your Job and I'll quit mir
and we'll both so on the stage"
That evening Dave was back
Harlem before the appointed hon
He opened the box and permitted II
girl to look at the gift. the living so
veUr of the swampy jungle. NJ
tong ago he had hasked hanging Ill
the moss from the low limbs abO'
the muddy stream Of the hot cou
try.
~ had a time gettin' fm." col
mented Dave. ''Ore of the nativ'
brought i'm down the river and pa
a few bits and some tobacco
change his owners"
what do you feed it," ask
Lizzie.
"Why. l amt thought of that" "a
Dave. "Piethonys Is as economical
goldfish. amt given i'm bite sin
got i'm"
"Dave." said Lizzie calmly. II ait
yoin' to act with any hungry snas
II he's hungry. like as not he'll try
ont me-