New Britain herald., 1921-08-16

make some trouble for us, Orrin. I dunno. Where is he, Pearl?"
 He just stepped down to Cap'n Abe's etore''
 -Cap'n Jonah Hand strode down the Shell road and came to the wide- porched store, over the steps of which was nailed tho weather-beaten sign:
 A. SILT,
 General Merchandise.
 Before the visitor mounted the steps he saw that a full quorum of the Loungers' club held sway around Capn Abe's stove. The few decrepit armchairs, as we'll as several boxes. an overturned nail keg or two. and even an upended chopping block were occupied by an audience that listened with more or less impa- uence to booming voice that don- mated them in spite of themselves.
 There's the Betsy Brown was, hove to and with sea-anchor to lee'ard, kickin' up didoes like "Af'noon, sir! What can do for you?"
 The booming voice changed in- stant(y to the brisk challenge of the merchant.
 The loiterers who made way for the newcomer gazed at him with more or less curiouity. The ttorekeeper hustled away for the snuff for which Cap'n Jonah asked Cap'n Jonah opened the packet and poured the Cap'n Joeah asked. cap'n Jonah snuff into his silver box.
 You's Cap'n Jonah Hand, Ain't your" observed the storekeeper with quite as much cordiality as curiosity jest now. You're stoppln' up at Or rin Petty's?"
 cap'n Jonah acknowledged these facts The bewhtskered storekeeper waved an introductory hand.
 'I'd like to make you acquainted. Cap'n Hand, with Cap'n JoAb Beech Ivanhoe." The crippled Cap'n Joab arose with the help of his cane to give the newcomer a hearty hand shake.
 And here's MT. 'Aphalet Truitt, as sailed steward many a v'y'ge in the Blue Ball line O. windjammers Lip halet's settled down here on the Shell road, too. You old salts II find much in common to talk about, I ain't a doubt.
 These other fellers. Cap'n Hand.' the storekeeper went on to say, "air Milt Baker an Anniel Perdue, an'- scuse mo, MT. Helmford!" He in- dicated a tall young man wearing she'll timmed spectacles who stood back against showcase, taking in the scene with quiet enjoyment. He was not of lonEshore origin, it, was evident: yet he did not hold himself apart from the group around Cap'n Abe's stove.
 "M.. Helmford," pursued Cap'n Abe. Ifs skipper of the fish hatchery the United States governments To- cated up Salt Creek. We old hard shells sort of admire MT. Helmford cause we've found out he knows more about fish than even we do; and we calc'lated before he come that we knowed aplenty."
 Well, uncle!" exclaimed Sarah Petty. meeting the old man at the door with outstretched and sharp smile upon her sharper face. You air a stranger! You como clean across the world to sec us.'
 Wall, was in the China trade last" admitted Cap'n Jonah; ESQ naturally I had to come a fur ways to get to Cardhaven.''
 He had entered the kitchen now and released sarah's hand to take Orrins
 wal. Orrin, see the Haven's much as it looked aforetime. when was here. liked the look of it then
 Do you calc'late on stayin' quite a spell?" Querted the anxious Mir Petty.
 I'm a'goin' to settle down. Yes l sir got enough sea-goin'. The IrheumAtiz has got a grip on me any way was took with Cardhaver when saw it years ago-when tht' 1 feller was a baby" and he jerked l fore-finger, as hard as spike, into | the soft muscles covering the sur l prised Toms ribs.
 "Huh!" calculated Tom. "Wha you doin'?''
 Now, Tom," came the admonitor! voice of his mother. Then sh' hastened to say: Pull right up. Uncl Jonah. Sit down and eat"
 'sArah's sharp voice punctured tn silence following the usual introduc tory small talk.
 T presume you've got aplent saved up after all these years fo iyour board and keep, uncle? Yo' was the forehandedest of all tn Hands, guess
 Oh" said the captain dryly. can pay my way for quite a spell ye' before I haf to look up lodgin's the poor farm. And that brings u la leetle matter we nights well dis
 cuss right now at the start, Nice Sarah. ...
 70 course." the old man went 0 p1acidly. you air my only Twin rel ative, Sarah. If should drag m anchor tonight you'd stand to ge
 ,ech prop'ty as I might die possesse of"
 Well, now, uncle!" his niece Asai lejaculated as though the subject ( ] money was quite painful one. ! The captain did not go directly
 bed. VI He eat by his window. of whic he had opened wide the blinds, muc to his nieces rage and disgust.
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