The Kendrick gazette. [volume] (Kendrick, Idaho) 1892-1968, 1921-10-28
Chapter Nv Continued

As he has on her, ID also ON the way TO
Chapter Nv Continued)
For two months ne nad exisred en-
tirely because of the leniency of Moth
er jerks In the matter of credit. He
could not pay her cash, devOutly as he
hoped to do some day, and he consid-
cred 1t Of the most vital Importance
that In the interim he should some
how survive. Therefore, in lieu Of
cash ne 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 fiattery threatened to
fail him. large crayon reproduction
Of the late Henry jerks, which hung
over the back bar. was a never-failing
source Of inspiration.
This was the asainted Emery" pre-
viously referred to by Mother jerks.
He had been a sergeant in Her Brit
tanic Majesty's Royal Horse artillery,
and upon retiring to the reserve had
hardened to proposition to emigrate
to Sobrante and accept commission
as colonel Of artillery with the gov
eminent forces then In the throes Of a
revolutionary attack. The rebels had
triumphed, and as result Emery had
been sainted via the customary ex-
peditious route: whereupon his wife
had had recourse to her early profess
sion of barmaid, and Ell 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 aud bottle.
II know yer trifier. Willy Geary."
she slmpered. "but If do sly 1t as
shouldn't. was accounted as and
some a barmaid as you'd find in Bris-
toll town. I've lost my good looks.
what with grief an worritin' since
,osln' my sainted Emery, but was
'andsome 0ncet."
81 can well believe It. Mother
since you are handsome still For my
part" he continued confidentially, as
with shaking hand he filled his brandy.
glass. you'll excuse this drunkari's
drink. Mother. but need It; l had the
shakes again last night. for my part.
prefer the full-blOwn rose to the
bud"
Mother jerks fiuttered like a debu-
tante as she poured her drink. They
touched glasses. caIloused worldIings
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 res0lute poise of your martyred
husbands head on his fine military
shoulders. There was.a man. If may
judge from his photograph. that would
fight wildcat"
"Oh, m'ybe e wouldn't" Mother
Jerks fastened to declare. you know
Willie. l was present wen they shot
I'm, a-waitin' to claim is body. Il
kisses me goodbye. an says e: Brace
up, OIL girl. Remember your 'usband's
been sergeant In Err 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
10 the wall, draws circle on is blue
tunic with white chalk an says
Shoot at that. yer yeller-bellled
Founders. an be ID to yerr"
ITO be the widow of such gallan,
son of Mars" Billy declared. is q
greater honor than being the wife of q
duke. All, Mother" he added with q
note Of genuine gratitude and sin
certify. you've been awfully good tc
me. I don't know what I'd have done
without YOU" He laid his hand on hel
fat arm. "MOther, one Of these days
I'll get mine. and when do I'm going
to stake you to nice little pub back
In Bristol"
She smiled at him with motherly
tenderness and shook her head. In a
concrete niche in the mortuary of the
Cathedral de la Vera Cruz the bones
of her sainted Emery reposed. and
when her hour came she would lie be
side him.
"Yer sweet boy, Willie" she told
him. IAN I'd trust yer for double the
score. s'help me. Ewing knows
'aven't much. but wot ave shares
freely with them likes"
Mother jerks preceded him into the
shady side Of the veranda. where or
dinarlly she was wont to breakfast In
solitary state. Her table was set fol-
two this morning. however. Billy
dipped an adventurous cockroach of