Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1921-02-18
A Solvent. of the
Amazon
By LATIMER J. WILSON
e 1921. by Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate.

Inc dawn drew aside her gray cur
tain and necklace OF pearly clouds
hung across the sky dazzling the
eyes of Miss Liberty standing on her
little island in the bay. Dark trans
ports and coast-plying ships were an
chored in the harbor when long spic-
and-span fabricated steel vessel, fresh
lily arrived from South American
ports, slid past and locked at her
pier.
A short, bow-legged sailor, carrying
| an oblong box, came ashore. His hair
was long, his eyes looked cr.ss-cross
over the bridge of his sharp nose and
his chin wore a 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 cor
ner of the room that was assigned to
him by the red-faced landlady, went
| to barber shop in the neighborhOOd
and then took a subway train to
Harlem.
Later he advanced up the long
flights that led to the top floor of a
| tenement in crosstOwn street. 1t
was certainly an unconventional hour
for calling upon lady, but Dave
knew his business.
ats me, Liz-can / come inT' he
shouted in response to the inquiry
that followed his knocking upon the
door. Instantly the door flung open
asad two warm arms were around his
neck.
II was expectin' you, Dave. l knew
IL must be about time for your boat
TO dock" Then presently, after other
| fond greetings, she asked if 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, Liz" broke forth
her fiance with the energy that comes
with 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
ker," beamed the sailor with antici-
| pated pleasure.
For a moment the girl seemed puZ-
zled, then she grinned with pleased
surprise.
"You don't mean to say you've
brought me one of them big snakes
from monkey land? I'd most changed
my mind since we talked about the
snake-charming business. That girl
up at Huber's didn't make near the
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 ia
your pocket?" she added with broad
F grin.
81 left i'm over in my room, but
I'll fetch i'm along tonight. Now I'm
ehinkin' that we'll make a good thing
out of this here snake It's one of
them piethongs, or anacondas, and
he's young enough to manage"
''T'm still thinkin' of maxim my day.
boo I'm theatricals on the night that
amateurs goes on, they lets anybody
what's got a stunt to take a, chance
Mt gettin' the hook" said the girl 81
amt got time to talk any more now
about it, but you bring your friend
over here tonight and I'll rehearse
with 'im."
ip11f fbn fxryn ynf.1
walking with the rush hour crowd
toward the subway. The morning
sun was beginning to cast warm rays
upon the pavement and the girl knew
that she would be late for work.
"TH tell you," suggested her part
ner, tonight you call in the crowd.
Get 'em all here and We'll have a
regular dress rehearsal. Put on your
Himseys and we'll see how the act
takes. Cool air makes that snake
dopy. You can do anything with i'm
when he's cold. Wrap i'm around
your neck. put your head in his mouth,
lust do anything" said Dave with
conviction. "We'll make enough
money to set us up in style. You'll
give up your job. and I'll quit mine
and we'll both go on the stage"
That evening Dave was back in
Harlem before the appointed hour.
He opened the box and permitted the
girl to look at the gift, the living SOU
venir of the swanpy jungle. Not
long ago he had basked hanging like
the moss from the low limbs above
the muddy stream of the hot coun-
try.
81 had a time gettin' im," COM
mented Dave. Zone of the natives
brought i'm down the river and paid
a few bits and some tobacco to
change his owners"
.sWhat do you feed it?" asked
Lizzie.
ssWhy, amt thought Of that" said
Dave. "Piethongs is as economical as
goldfish. I amt given i'm bite since
I got i'm"
"Dave," said Lizzie calmly, Il amt
goin' to act with any hungry snake.
If he's hungry like as not he'll try to
eat me-"