Evening star., 1922-09-17
UNIT SARAH set the platter Of
finnan haddie before old Davy

~ finnan haddie before old Davy
~ Brewster's place, went into
the hall and called: supper :
ready. David" She was one of those
women whom even the most casual
acquaintances like to call aunt" But
no one ever thought of calling her
brother David "Uncle Dave" They
called him old Davy" instead. and
that is not the same thing at all. He
was, when Aunt Sarah summoned
him, In the sitting room, and he went
to the window and raped upon the
pane to attract the eye of Ted Brew
ster. who was leaning across the
fence talking to pretty Ann Rowland
in the garden next door. Ted came
into the house. They sat down at the
table. with its smoothly darned COW
rriug hiding the mahogany, and Aunt
Sarah bowed humble head and Ted
dipped his eyes to the plate while old
pavy said grace before meat: that is
to say, grace before tinnan haddie.
Old Davy took a solid pleasure in
prayer He went TO his knees beside
his bed when he arose; when he had
come downstairs he and Ted and Aunt
Sarah gathered for family devotions
In the sitting room: he pronounced a
lengthy blessing upon each meal; he
conducted family prayer again in the
evening. and he dropped to his bony
knees before getting into bed at
night. The ceremony never lost its
zest for him.
Old Davy lifted his head. tucked
his napkin under his chin and looked
toward his sister.
You will have a little finnan had
die. SARAH" he asked, spoon raised.
She shook her head meekly.
NO. thank you. David. Just po-
tato for me.
Ted asked cheerfully. why don't
you have fresh fish more, Aunt
Sarah? You like that. and you can't
eat these smoked things"
Old Davy looked at his son severely,
and Aunt Sarah came as near rebuk-
ing him as was possible 10 her
Your father prefers smoked fish,
Ted she replied.
II Ted had any impulse to say
more than he said, he stifled it
The dining room was in the rear of
the pleasant old house The house in
turn was one Oh t uoZeH VI 81 ~hi'ii
lined the deeply shaded street. Old
Davy had been born in this house
and so had Sarah. and SO had Ted
Ted's grandfather. who had followed
the sea. built it. but Teds father had
stayed ashore and prospered.
4 X =
Ills father. first pangs of hunger
satisfied. said to the young man:
You were talking again with Cap'n
Howland's child?" His tone had ac-
cusation in it, but Ted smiled pleas
autly enough.
Yes" he assented and ! added:
shes not such child. either. father.
She's Neutrality-suspicious. as old as |
am She says Josiah Drake is
weaker" Ted went on.
Aye" said old Davy. And will
he weaker still. The Lords hand is
upon him for his sins. Cap'n How
land also is man lost in his own
sin
Ted laughed uncomfortably. We'll.
YOU can't damn Ann for that" he
protested.
Old Davys eyes flashed fire. Mind
your tongue Theodore. 1t spoke an
evil word"
The young man seemed puzzled.
Then "Oh, damn he asked, and
chuckled. You ought to hear Cap'n
Bill when he gets under way
Who touches pitch shall he de-
nIed." old Davy told him. You have
that guilty man"
But he doesn't mean anything by
it" Ted insisted. He's been a skip
per so long. You've got to be able to
scorch their hides if you're going to
handle sailors. fathers
"A profane and dissolute man."
said old Davy insistently, 'and he
will suffer for his sins
But he's not really profane.' Ted
urged: that is. he uses strong Ian
gusge. but he doesn't actually swear
much.
You bear false witness. Theodore
old Davy replied. Il myself have
heard. | met the man upon the street
this day. We had some small speech
together, and his was thickIy inter
larded with oaths. | reproached him.
He made a jest of it. And in the end
! said to that man. in all charity:
You are in evil paths. Cap'n How
land. / shall pray for you I repeat
his very words. He replied to me:
Why. Davy. you can just pray and
be damned"
Ted laughed before he could check
himself. Aunt Sarah looked at him
and then at his father. white with
terror. But old -Davy only shook his
head IAN ir moment for laughter,
Theodore he said.
The young man still sought to make
a defense. Hes not bad. really
though he told old Davy. Hes got
a good heart. ] happen to know that
he kept company with Josiah for an
hour this afternoon. trying to cheer
the old man. Cap'n Bill has as good
cause to hate Josiah as you have"
Josiah Drake is a man accursed."
said his father sternly. HE betrayed
his friends. He pilfefed their savings.
We trusted him. put our money into
his traitorous enterprise. and he stole
il, guilefully keeping within the law.
He bears the brand upon him forever
more"
AUNT SARAH spoke. faint
warmth in her eyes that it was
strange to see there. HE has sought
all his life to make amends" she
pleaded "Oh. he has tried all these
wears to win his honor back again."
He silenced her. You had always
a weakness for him. Sarah"
Tp,,f "a ~