The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1921-01-31

sure, my. friend" Webster warned him
testify. Il pride myself on a sense OF
humor and I dearly love joke until
it's carried too far, but be advised in
time. young man. and don't try to play
horse With me. My acceptance or non
acceptance of you is subject for fu-
ture discussion, since at present we
have some Gduciary matters before us.
You owe ME fifty dollars for your tick
ct, Andrew Bowers, and in view of the
fact that I never saw you before to-
day, suppose we start the voyage by
squaring the account"
Andrew Bowers sat up in the berth
and let his legs drape over the side.
"Mr. Webster" he began seriously, "if,
prior to the arrival Of the purser to col
lect the tickets, you had handed my
ticket to me, saying: Here is your
ticket, Mr.. Bowers. Be kind enough
to reimburse me to the extent Of fifty
dollars I should have been compelled
to admit then, as I do now, that l
haven't fifty dollars. Fortunately for
me, however, you surrendered the tick
ct to the purser before acQuaintins
yourself with the state Of my for
tunes; the voyage has commenced and
whether you like it or not, my dear sir,
I. am your guest from now until we
reach San Buenaventura. Rather an
interesting situation, don't you think?''
John Stuart Webster was Of Scotch
ancestry. He had hereditary re-
gard for baubees. He was business
man. Prodigal spender though he was
and generous to fault, the fact re-
manned that Ire always made it point
to get value received, and lie was prod
igal with his own money he preferred
that the privilege Of prodigality will,
the Websterian funds should remain
an inaienablc prcrogative Of the sole
surviving member of the Webster fam
lily.
II think you're too cool, young man,
Webster rctorted. Just Il trifle too
cocksure. Up to the present moment
you have proffered no evidence why
YOU should not be adjudgcd cad, and
I do not like cads and must decline to
permit one to occupy the same state
room at my expense. You are clever
and amusing and laughed at YOU, but
at the same time my sense Of humor is
not so great as to cause me to over
look your impudencc and laugh with
you. Now, if YOU have anything to
say, say it quickly, because you're
going to 80. away from herein a
hurry"
II plead guilty to the Indictment
Mr.. Webster, and submit as an excuse
the fact that desperate circumstances
require desperate measures. ! am not
begging my way. neither am heating
it, for the reason that both forms OF
travel are repugnant to me. I am
merely taking advantage Of certain
fortuitous circumstances to force you
an entire stranger, to extend to me 4
credit Of fifty dollars until we reach
San Buenavcntura, when. you will be
promptly reimbursed"
at is not my habit" Webster rctort
cd stihly. "to extend credit to stran
gers who demand it, ' '~'' RI .; 's~'-"'' .
II do not demand it, sir. beg it OF
YOU, and because cannot afford to be
refused / took care to arrange matters
SO that you would not be likely to re-
fuse my request. Really, do not NEAR
to be cocksure and impudent, but be
fore you throw me out I'd like to lei
you in on q secret about yourself"
"Well!"
you're not going to throw me out
"WEy not?"
'Dccause YOU can't"
That's fighting talk. Now, just tt
prove to you the depth Of error ir
which you founder, young man, I an
about to throw YOU out" And he
graspcd Andrew Bowers in the grip Of
grizzly bear and whisked him out Of
The top berth.
"Wait one second" his helpless vic
tim cried. IT have something to say
before you go any further"
"Say it," Webster ordered. "You1
tongue is the only part Of you that
cannot control"
"Whcn you throw INC out on deck,
Andrew Bowers pncricd, edo your pa
iamas 80 with me? Does the hair e
with the hide?"
"Thcy cost me sixteen dollars in Sal
Lake City, but-sood lord, yes. I cam,
throw YOU out mother naked; d-n it,
can't throw you out at all"
Didn't I tell you so? BE good fel
low and turn me loose"
"Certainly-fOr the time being
You'll stay locked III this staterOon
while l have Il talk with the captain
He'll probably dig up a shirt, pair Of
dungarces and some Okl shoes for yor
and set you ashore before We get ou
of the river. If he doesn't do that he'll
keep you aboard and you'll shovel Goa
for your passage"
But Pm Andrew Bowers and the
pufscr has collected my frst-cias:
ticket"
"What of it? l shall Grclarc--anG
with trtitl,--,ial Yet: n,t ,"'! Annr"N>
Bowers. that You are nn' W! v"l"i. ana
that ] die! net buy ,I,t rn.kr, tor Nu',.
dare Won to face the captain in my pa.
jamaS and prove You are:lt q s;uwa'
way
"You would win on that point" the