Middletown transcript., 1922-02-04

and returning to the deck, presented
it, together with the requisite refund,
to Mr.. Gibney, who, In the meantime,
had come aboard.
"Whatever are you a-goin' to do
with this awful Goldfish, Gib?" he de-
manded.
Mr.. Gibney cooked his hat over one
ear and blew a cloud of smoke in the
skipper's face.
"Well, boys, I'll tell you. Sailed
Goldfish that's been under water long
time gets most o. the salt took out of
1t, an even at sea, if it's left long
enough, it'll get SO darned ripe that
it's what you might call offensive. But
1t makes good fertilizer. There amt
nothin' in the world to equal Goldfish,
medium ripe, for fertilizer. I've rigged
up deal with q orchard comp'ny
that's layin' out couple O. thousand
acres O. young trees up in the delta
lands O. the Sacramento. I've sold 'em
the lot, after first buyin' it from the
owners O the schooner for hundred
dollars. Every time these orchard fel-
lers dig hole to plant young fruit
tree they aim to heave Goldfish in the
bottom o. the hole first, for fertilizer
There was upward O. two hundred
thousand Goldfish in that schooner an
I've sold 'em for five cents each. de-
livered at Dunnigan's landin'. l fig
ger on cleanin' up about seven thou
sand net on the deal. l thought me an
Neils was stuck at first, but got my
Imagination workin-"
Captain Scraggs sank Imply into
McGuffey's arms and the two stared
at the doughty commodore.
"Hit in the face with fortune an
didn't know it," gasped poor McGuffey.
"Gib, I'm sure glad you got out whole
on that DEAL"
"Thanks to a lack O. Imagination in
you an Scraggsy I'm about two hun
dred an fifty dollars ahead O my
estimate now, on account O. the free
tow O that barge. Me an Neils GER
tainly makes nice little split on
account O. this here Goldfish deal"
"Gib," chartered Scraggs, whats
the matter with reorganizin' the SYN
| dicate?"
BE good feller, Adelbert,"
pleaded McGuffey.
Mr.. Gibney was never so vulnerable
as when one he really loved called
him by his Christian name. He drew
an arm across the shoulders of Nc
Guffey and Scraggs, while Neils Hal
1 ctn hp f,r
flashing with pleasure under his wal
rus mustache.
| "Scraggsy Mac! Your fins Well
reorganiZe the syndicate, an the min.
ute me an Neils finds ourselves with
q bill O. sale for one-quarter inter
est in the Victor, based on the actual
cost price, we'll tow this here barge
"An' split the profits on the cod
fish," Scraggs queried eagerly.
Certainly not. Me an Neis splits
that fifty-fifty. A quarter O. them
profits is too high q price to pay fol
your friendship, Scraggsy, old deceit
full. Remember, l made that profit
after you an Mac had pulled out o
the syndicate"
That's logic" McGuffey declared.
Its highway robbery" Scraggs
snarled. Il won't sell no quarter in
terest to you or The Squarehead, Glib
Not On them terms"
"Then you'll load them codfisf
aboard, or pay demurrage on thai
barge for every day they hang around
an If the board Of health condemns
'em an chucks 'em overheard I'll SUE
you an Mac for my lost profits, gil
a judgment agin you, an take ovel
the Victor to satisfy the judgment.
"You're a sea lawyer, Gib," Scragg.
retorted sarcastically.
you do what Glib says" McGuffe,
ordered threateningly. Remember,
got half interest In any judgment h,
gifts agin us-an' what's more, I OBJ
ject to them Goldfish clutterin up IN,
half interest"
You bullied me on the old Maggie,
Scraggs screeched, "but l won't b,
bullied no more. If you want to TOW
that barge, Mae, you buy me out, lock
stock and barrel. An the price FOL
|
lars"
you've sold something, Scraggsy,
Mr. McGuffey flashed back at him
obcying a wink from Mr.. Gibney. "An
heres hundred dollars to bind tn,
bargain. Balance on delivery of proper
bill-o'- sale"
While Scraggs was counting tn,
money Mr.. Gibney was writing re
ceipt In his note book. Scraggs, still
furious, signed the receipt.
Nov, then, Scraggsy," said Mr.. Glib
ney affably, hustle up to the custom
house, get formal bill-o'-sale blank
fill her In, an hustle back agin fo
your check. An see to it you dom
change your mind, because it won't d,
you any good. If you don't com
through now I can sue you an fore,
you to-
"Oh! So you're buyin' my interest
eh?"
"Well, I'm lendin' Mac the money
an got hunch he'll sell the interes
to me an Neils without figgerln' on
profit. You're jarrin' note in tn
syndicate, Scraggsy, an I've come t
that time O. life where l want peace
An there won't be no peace on tn
Victor unless skipper her."
Captain Scraggs departed to dra,
up the formal bill Of sale and Mr.. Gil
ney, drawing The Squarehead and Nj
Guffey to him, favored each with
searching glance and said:
Gentlemen, did 1t ever occur to yo
TINT fhara,S Inonnu In tho chicl,o a