The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1921-01-28

, NlOLucI JeHhS 1CSdlNSu PASlNS
! speech in the light Of an observation
fmmaterial, inconsequential and not
germane to the matter at issue. New
crtheless. there was deeper reason
for his blarney. This morning watch
|. ing the telltale tinge Of pleasure I'M
DERIVING the acknowledgement hue of
the good creatures face, he felt al
most ashamed of his own heartless-
ness-almost,. but not quite.
For two months he had existed en-
tircly because Of the lenicncy Of Moth
er jerks in the matter OF credit. He
could not pay her cash, devoutly rs he
hoped to do some day, and he consid
cred it 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 tlattery threatened to
fail him. large crayon reproduction
of the late Henry jerks, which hung
over the back bar, was never-failing
source Of inspiration.
This was the "sainted Emery" pre-
viously referred to by Mother jerks.
Tie had been Il sergeant in Her Brit
tanic Majesty's Royal Horse artillery,
and upon retiring to the reserve had
hardened to proposition to emigrate
ST..
as colonel of artillery with the gov
eminent forces then in the throes of a
revolutionary attack. The rebels had
triumDhed, and as result Emery had
been sainted via the customary eX-
peditious route; wlcreupon his wife
sion of barmaid, and FL Buen Amigo
had resulted.
However, let us return to our
Sleeps, as Mr.. Geary would have ex-
pressed it. Seemingly the effect of
Billy's compliment was instantly evil
dent, for Mother jerks set out two
glasses and a bottle.
II know yer trifler, Willy Geary,"
she simpered, "buts1f 7 1o s'y it as
shouldn't, I was accounted as and
some d barmaid as you'd find in Bris-
toll town. I've lost my good looks,
what with grief an worritin' since
losin' my: sainted Emery, but I was
handsome oncet."
II can well believe it, Mother
since you are handsome still! For my
part" he continued confidentially, as
WITH shaking nand he filled his brandy
glass. you'll excuse this drunkard's
drink, Mother, but 1 need it; l had the
shakes again last night-for my part.
prefer the full-blown rose to the
bud"
Mother Jerks fluttercd like debll-
tante as she poured her drink. They
touched glasses, calloused worldlings
that they were.
He tossed off his drink 1t 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"
ooh, m'ybe e wouldn't" Mother
jerks fastened to declare. "You know,
Willie, I was present wen they shot
i'm, a-waitin' to claim is body. II
kisses me goodbye. an says e: Brace
up, OF girl. Remember your husbands
been sergeant in FIR Majesty's Royal
'Orse artillery, an don't let the bloody
blighters see yer cry Then e walks
out front. with is fine straight back
TO the wall, draws n circle on is blue
tunic with white chalk an says:
shoot at that, yer yeller-bellicd
Founders, an be ID to yer!'"
'"IO be the widow of such n gallant
son of Mars" Billy declared, "is
greater honor than being the wife of a
duke. All. Mother" he added with a
note Of genuine gratitude and sim
ccrity. "you've been awfully good to
me. I don't know what I'll have done
without YOU" lie laid his hand on her
fat arm. Mother. one of these days
I'll got mine. and when do I'm going
to stake YOU to nice little pub back
in Bristo1."
She smiled ut him with motherly
tenderness and shook her head. In
concrete niche in the mortuary Of the
Cathedral dc In Vera Cruz the bones
Of her sainted Emery rcposed. and
when her hour came she would lie be-
side him.
Eyer sweet boy. Willie" she told
him, can I'd trust yer for double the
score, s'hclp me. Ewing knows I
'avcn't much. but wot ave I shares
freely with them I likes"
Mother jerks preceded him into the
shady side Of the veranda, where or
dinarily she was wont to breakfast in
solitary state. Her table was set for
two this morning. however. Billy
Tipped an adventurous cockroach off
the table and fell to with fine appetite.
He was dallying with a special brew
of coffee. with condensed milk in it,
when the Jamaica negro entered from
the cantina to announce Don Juan
Cafetcru with q cahlsgram., u