The broad ax., 1927-07-09
Adelaide's Teashop
Became Famous
BY AID scHUsTER
CcopyriEhtl

sailed the seas when the waves tossed
nigh and mariner took heavy chances
against a safe return. Had she been
9 man she would have sought adven.
ture, Adelaide told herself, and, being
a woman, she did the next best thing
ana read brave tales out Of books
Inere came a time when she was left
alone with a small sum of money and
the necessity Of providing for the fu-
ture. She thought of all of the posi-
bilities and then decided upon a tea
room and restaurant.
This was to be no ordinary tea
room. Adelaide was determined TO
make 1t unlike any In the world. She
would go to the coast. to some small
port on the Atlantic where fishing
meets have come and gone for many
years and there set I'D In a slab
sided shack a retreat and meeting
place for adventures.
Adelaide thought Of hale men from
the seven seas, men wearing earrings
and stroking ferocious mustaches.
She pictured booted men with red
scarfs at their necks and wild yarns
on their lips and their delight when
they spied in her a kindred spirit. So
she set up her shop and with a sign
Adventures ALL" invited the rowing
spirits Of romance, the roaring, rois-
tering lads Of the sea, to have a cup
Of tea.
The old town Of Boulder Cove
rubbed its eyes in amazement at the
enterprise and assumption Of this
young woman. Was it possible she
thought she could make tea better
than the good wives or that the hus.
bands and sons were not getting
enough to eat at homer Those who
visited the place for curiosity left
wondering at the idea anyone could
find adventure In tea and cake and
felt sorry for a girl who had staked
her fortunes In so dubious q venture.
Despairing Of winning over the home
trade or Of seeing real adventurer
come into port, Adelaide discovered
that If she were to keep the shop
open she must attract q goodly pro-
portion of the tourists who motored
through the town. Most OF them
stopped, talked to the old-timers. took
photographs and moved on.
These old-timers, particularly Tom
Grown, were Of the kind she had pic
tured foregathering In her place. AIDE
laide, In love with the town, totaled
her books and decided she had not
long to remain.
"You," she said to Rodney Meek,
Boulder Cove's merchant and post.
master. "are the only steady custom
er Of the place. If I don't get more
I'll have to quit"
Perhaps" the young man answered,
perhaps things will pick up. 1t
takes the folks here long time to get
accustomed to anything new. 1t would
be too bad to have you CO."
The very next day Tom Grown
rolled into the inn, took a place at a
table near q window and, In his be-
coming voice, started yarn Of the
sea. Adelaide smiled, for this was as
she had dreamed.
"Yessir," said Tom to Rodney, shat
squat came up so student it blew
the sails to ribbons afore we could
haul them down. We was as help.
less as an eggshell In Niagara and
there came a big wave :"
Adelaide could not catch the rest
for she had to welcome a party Of
tourists who sat at table adjoining
the old sailor and gave him all their
attention. He went on with his story
Of the bark Nancy Imogene which was
lifted on a big wave and deposited In
the very center Of an island and as
he talked he pounded the table. The
tale was impressive and no one dared
dispute. Here, at least, was one sue
cessful noon hour. Maybe Rodney
was right and business would pick up.
After that Tom Crown came back
many times and with him q train Of
tourists. Always he had a tale Of a
kind that sent the visitors away talk
ing Of the picturesque old man who
uGlQ 4OLIA Ia bAAC ALL "a - .
All" Then some one wrote a story
about him for the city papers and AIDE
ladies teashop became famous.
"You told me, Rodney. that things
would change. 1 wonder how you
knew"
"They Just had to change" he an
swered, because, you know, 1t would
not be right for you to 60 away. We
want you here. Adelaide. the town
does and, and do, too"
He read the answer In her eyes
and afterward when he met Tom
Crown on the street told him the
news.
"Don't say7" the old sailor doomed.
"WeIl, / sorter expected It I'll tell
You what I'll give you for a wedding
present. You don't have to pay me
70 visit that shop any more. I'LL 90