Evening star., 1921-05-15

all its regular old institutions into
the groundr'
Foreman Kay plucked a bill from
his wallet and jammed it into Captain
cali on me! And I'll pass the hat
among the boys"
First Selectman Cole gave no sign
that he suspected plots. apprehended
designs or feared a revolution in his
domain. He practiced autocracy of an
mountain peek. When Mr.. Burr
sought. on his own initiative, to act
as a sort of secret police. bringing
rumors, tattlings and eavesdroppings.
Capt. Cole treated him as If he were
cat Juggling snakes into the house.
What they say about me. Burr,
amt of enough Importance to make
a fleas ear burn. Don't take my mind
ofr'm the main issues by bothering
trifles"
Some Of those main issues were
blows at the vitals Of what had been
viewed as inalienable rights of citi-
zens of Toddport. The settees along
the sidewalks where men gossiped
and whitfield were abolished by an
anti-loafing edict promulgated by Sc
lectman Cole. He deposed Lem
Sprague as constable and put in his
This was Angus Mcbride, a Prince
Edward Islander, who had sailed first
mate with Capt. Cole.
mr.. KAY had money invested.
A'A shared fully in the general Todd
port grudge against the serene over
lord and felt particular responsibility
as the foreman Of the threatened In
vincibles. One day he appeared before
Capt. Briggs fresh from the packet
wharf. where he had seen an item OF
freight unloaded with grunting OF
warp and creaking of sheaves.
Its here. 1t has come" ground Mr
Kay between barred teeth. You've
sippylogicaled and exported this thing
in cussination fine style. You have let
him do it! It's here. I tell ye!"
I'm glad it is" stated Capt. Briggs
interest in it, whatever it Isl"
His fire-engine has come"
The listener was not a bit stirred by
,, the news. He spatted the dirt from a
handful of little beets and laid the
green tops in basket.
To Mr.. Kay's utter amazement and
infuriated wonderment Capt. Briggs
rose and tucked the basket Of greens
under his arm and started for the
house.
shoulder, "come around with it.
can't be bothered with timmy doodle
stuff when it's time to get my beet
green's over the fire."
In default of anything better to do.
Mr. Kay travelled back to the packet
wharf, where he found among other
citizens, Capt Cole comforting with a
thick-set stranger who had lambre-
quin mustache and loud voice and
much self confidence. The two were
III ha q
a ring of gloomy taxpayers.
'Tll announce to all present" said
the stranger. that when I approached
Capt. Rotheus Cole in regard to this
|, sources that such machine was
wanted in this town, did not ask his
permission to put his name on it, after
we had settled the trade. He is a
modest man. and that is well known.
But Pm sure the citizens would rise as
taken off. Capt. Cole, as citizen and
first selectman, has taken the lead and
full charge in this movement to make
Toddport safe from the rayages OF the
money and taken full responsibility
That is how I understand it, sir"
you understand it right" agreed
the captain. I'm this case. as in other
| things, too many cooks in the gailey
scorch the swagon! Gents, I'm intro
ducing to you Wesley P Jordan, es-
uuire who has given this town good
bargain in a secondhand engine. Said
engine will be tuned up and will
show what she can do tomorrow even
ing in the square. I'll say to Foreman
Pingree Kay that he and his men are
specially ;nyited."
Mr.. Jordan spent the early evening
on Capt. Coles porch and then started
| for the tavern, pleading hankering
to get to bed in good season in order
/ to- vi n
| ing.
"That's a good notion" said the cap
tain. Both Of us need to be fresh.
! But if it does happen that you hang
around the tavern office any length
of time before you go to bed I ask
YOU not to have talk or truck with
/ any Of the critters that's loahng
around there. l especially warn you
against a straight descendant Of the
pirate chief. Cap'n Teach, name O
Cap'n Bowditch Briggs.
Much obliged for the warming, re-
turned Mr.. Jordan.
F.; And then he proceeded. by way OF a
back street. directly to the home OF
| Capt. Briggs.
| The cordiality of the reception ac-
corded to Mr.. Jordan would have as
tonished the first selectman Of Todd
| port nightly.
But in front of the amazed face of
the listener Mr.. Jordan put up a rigid
| and refusing palm.
I'm here and reporting that I am
| ready to operate. AS to how 1 propose
| to operate I have no information to
give out. It's a matter that must be
| handled delicately. To put your first
selectman so definitely down and out
resign Office and efface himself-that's s
| the order"
"Yes But how"
Merely post yourself in the front