New Britain herald., 1921-08-17
''Cap'n Jonah's Fortuna" l" By JAMES A. COOPER Cape Cod Folks and Their
 Adventures
Copyright, 1919. by George scully & Col
Cape Cod Folks and Their
Adventures.

Copyright, 1919, by fContinued from Yesterdays Herald.) ) Captain Jonah Hand, aged skipper gives up the sea and comes to tho homo o1 hla niece. who ia wife of Or rin Peety. at Cardhaven. fishing village, to spend hia declining years: While not entirely welcome at tho Petty home, ho ia kept in ignorance Of this fact because he apparently has not long to live and Mrs. Petty Is hia only living heir. He ia supposed to
 have considerable money saved. His first day at the Petty homo he overhear, conversation between
 Pearl Holden. better known al "Pearly,' who was bound over to Or rim Petty by tho selectmen when her folks died and left her a charge on the town and Tom Petty, his neice's son.
 Tom confessea to Pearly that ha had gambled on the old threa shell and pea game at the cattle show in q nearby town and had lost not only his own money, but also nearly $25 belonging to the Ladies Aid, of which ho was supposed to buy a chapel lamp. Pearly offers Co lend him tho money out of her sav1ngs. She has an equal sum earned by picking ber- ries.
 Cap'n Jonah was an early riser both because of his advanced years and from habit. He got out of bed as
 quietly as cat the next morning. and came upon Tom Petty. stretch
 ing and gaping from the kitchen
 door.
 Well, young man!" said the old marine brfskly I guess you're feel
 ing your vest days good time some ?' "'Good time!' Heh!" snorted Tom. | T never want to see another cattle
 show
 Leaves brown taste in your | mouth. does it?" chuckled the cap tain. And drained your pocket as dry as the Desert of Sahara, I bet!" "Hoh! Who was tellin' your" de- | manded Tom, bitten with sudden suspicion.
 T don't have to be told ev'rything mot at my age," chuckled Cap'n Jonah. II was young once myself" He drew a bill-holder from an in- ner pocket.
 s"I guess you know how 'tis, Uncle
 Jonah" confessed the young fellow, trying to keep his eyes off the bill- holder.
 Just SO! Just so' agreed the cap tain. He selected yellow-backed bill, crisp and cracking, and thrust it suddenly into Toms itching palm Here's twenty for. you. never do know what sort O presents to buy folks. Get somethin' for yourself or put 1t away in the bank as you like And don't say nothin to your Pop or Marm about it." Finding the Petty family uncon genial and Pearl usually too busy to pass more than the time of day with him, Cap'n Jonah got into the
 habit of lying in wait at the mouth of the line for passing Shell road | folk to fall into his conversational 1 trap. And every nativo Cape-Codder
 who came along tried to get out of him something about that fortune
 which the Pettys had told everybody
 in the community he possessed. :. l He eaw the tall figure of Helmford approaching. The usual smile upon tho young government employees face lhad 4 rueful cast just now.
 This is one large day-and plenty
 of it. captain" he said. How do you feel?'
 T fare pretty we'll, responded lCap'n Jonah. How air you, MT. IHelmford
 1 why, Captain Hand. I'm like to be cast out into the cold world. The lCardnaven Inn closes for the season and I don't know where I'm to look
 for a boarding place."
 o1ojr on1 hn al TT
 "Aren boardin places plenty round here?"
 "In the summer-yes. Almost
 everybody takes boarders. But the
 women are not 50 ready to take 1T
 a stranger during the winter The captain was scrutinizing young Helmford much more sharply thar appeared to be the case. "Ahem!" he said clearing his throat collectively. Why don't you
 try sarah?"
 Sarah ?'"
 Yep. My niece.s She ain't averse I should say, to turning penny. Try
 her"
 why, I will.' he exclaimed. Sarah Petty assumed doubtful
 smirk when Helmsford called ant
 stepped out on the porch.
 Captain Hand suggested. Mrs
 Petty" Helmford began, drawlnt
 near, that you might consider takint
 me to board. You knew the Card
 haven Inn closes now, and l would rrefer living down this way It Il nearer to the hatchery"
 Wal! I dunno!" objected Mrs. Pet ty, who felt it became her position . in the community to yield only aftel proper urging. Course I could tak' ye in, MT. Helmford. l have room But I dunno as my 'commodatlon . would please ye." T think I shall be satisfied, Mrs
 iPetty. When can I have my book Fand trunk sent over?" Any time you like. You can sleeI > There tonight" said the woman, grim ] ly satisfied that Cap'n Jonah was tt be soon busted to the room over thu III kitchen.