Powhattan Bee from Powhattan, Kansas • 3

CHAPTER XV. I The "Hardening" Process. OLD LAGjt Little Leonard Lawrence is quite ill at present writing. The horse buyers are swarming the country for cavalry horses. Four car loads went out of St- Joseph Monday which cost an average of 124 per head.

Frank Holcomb is doing as well as his friends could expect. His fever still runs up somewhat every day but he is holding his own quite well. The llfe-Biivlng station was very still. Nos. and 5 had gone out on the eight-o'clock patrol.

The seventh man was taking his twenty-four hours off at his home on the shore. The keeper was working over hie report in the ofllco. The other members of tho crew were upstairs asleep, and Abe and Samuel were bearing each other company In tho messroom. Abe lay asleep on the carpet-covered ofa which had been dragged out of the captain's room for him, so that the old man need not spend the night in the cold sleeping-loft above. lie was fully dressed except for his 1 boots; for he was determined to con-' form to the rules of the service, and author or "the: story of mpah; "thc SHIPOrDRtAMS'CTC.

8YNOPSI8. haled publicity, as lie gave Abe's foot a sly kick. "We was Jeet a-gwlue ter take a leetle scooter sail." He adjusted the skirt of his coat in an effort to hide Abe's carpetbag, his own canvas satchel, and a huge market CHAPTER I Captain Abraham Rose and Angellne, his wlfo, have lout their little home through Abi's unlucky purchase of Tcnafly Gold mining stock. Their household goods sold, the $100 auction money, all they have left, will place Abe In the Old Man's home, or Angy In the Old Ladles' home. Both are self-sacrificing but Abe decides: "My dear this Is the fust lime I've had a chance to take the tvust of It." basket of good things which Blossy had cooked for the life-Bavers.

"Seen anythink of that air Eph Seaman?" i Samuel added, shading his eyes with -Tablets, pencils, and school supplies at S. T. Holeomb's. J. II.

Barnett came in Friday for a visit with relatives here. Born, to Mr. and Mrs. Chester Russel, Sunday, Sept. 13, a son.

A. Eldfeldt and family were the guests of B. A. Conover's Sunday. Frank Manahan and liay Lewis are new pupils in high school this week- Geo.

Ferrier came in from Manhattan, Sunday, for a short visit here. Masonic lodge met again Saturday nignt after the summer intermission. Harry Baldwin went to Wathe-na, Saturday, to spend Sunday, with his wife. Stewart Rife is walking with he aid of crutches, the result of a sprained ankle. Naser Clay came up Wednesday, and removed the remainder of his barber outfit.

Fred Dusenbery and son Ronald came in Tuesday evening from Trinidad, Colo. irl Bartley is the owner of a iifvv driving horse. Garret bought it of C- N- Cue- CHAPTER II The old couple, dressed In their ancient Sunday beHt, bid good-by to the little house. Terror of "what folks will say" senJs them along by-Duths to Plum Creek. Rainy weather and bad roads make it quite inconvenient for the scholars to get to school-Mr.

and Mrs- Carey Cashman and son Morris, spent Sunday at the home of Jesse Cashman- Little Leo Winterscheidt is spending the week with his grand parents, Mr- and Mrs- John Williams. Mrs- Leander Cashman spent last week at the home of her sons Carey and Jesse Cashman- Mrs- E. W- Winterscheidt and Mrs. C- D- Becker, left Saturday for Waubaunsa County, where they will visit their sister Mrs-B- E- Davenport. Quite a number from here attended the circus atHorton Tho keeper was a widower, all tho other men were bachelors.

How could they be expected to understand? They burst Into a guffaw of laughter, and Abe, not even conscious that he had betrayed a sacred confidence, sputtered and laughed with the rest. Samuel had half a mind to return tomorrow, "Jest to spite 'em." Let's see, how many days of this plagued week were left? Six. Six whole twonty-four hours away from Blossy and his snug, warm, comfortable neBt. She wasn't used to keepln' house by herself, neither. Would sho remember to wind the clock on Thursday, and feed the canary, and water the abutilon and begonias reg'lar? Grimly Samuel took up offense No.

8. Abraham had further told the men that he had been brought over here for a hardening process; but he was willing to bet that if -Samuel could keep up with him, he could keep up with Samuel. Then followed offense on offense. Was Samuel to be outdone on his own one-time field of action by an old ladles' darling? No! When Abe sat for a half-hour in the lookout, up In the freezing, cold- cupola, and did duty "Jest to be smart," Samuel sat there on top of his own feet, too. When Abe helped drag out the apparatus cart over the heavy sands for the drill, Samuel helped, too.

And how tugging at that rope brought back his lumbago! When Abe rode in the breeches-buoy, Samuel Insisted on playing the sole survivor of a shipwreck, too, and went climbing stiffly and lumberingly up the practise mast. Abraham refused to take a nap after dinner; so did Samuel. Abe went down to the outdoor carpenter shop in the grove and planed a board Just for the love of exertion. Samuel planed two boards and drove a nail. "We've got two schoolboys with us," said the keeper and the crew.

"Ef I'd a-knowed that yew had more lives 'n my Maltese cat," Samuel was muttering over Abe by thie time, "I'd" Count, count went Captain Darby's fingers. He heard the keeper rattling papers in the office Just across the threshold, heard him say he was about to turn in, and guessed Samuel had better do likewise; but Samuel kept on counting. Count, count, went the arraigning fingers. Gradually he grew drowsy, but still he went over and over poor Abe's offenses, counting on until of a sudden he realized that he wa3 no longer numbering the elns of his companion; he was measuring in minutes the time he must spend away from Blossy and Twin Coves, and the begonias and the canary and the cat. What would Blossy say If she could the gate of the Old Ladles' home.

Resting there on a bench, the soft June air lulls them to sleep. CHAPTER III-Miss Abigail, matron of the Old Ladles' home, hears oi' Abe and Angy's ill fortune. 8he tells 23 other old lady residents. Blossy. who has paid double entrance fee for the only double bedchamber Blossy with the giwgaws and the perslment suitor for her withered little hnnil suys there's only one thins to do: "Take the captain right' here to our hearts." Disposing of all objections, sy offers to take empty No.

30 and turn over her wide room to the old couple. CHAPTER IV Abe and Angy are whirled away from the gate by fat Misa Abigail to the cool quiet of the big bedchamber, where Abe awakes next morning to the fact that he is the guest of HO "women-folks" "Old Oal 81." He covers his feelings by twinkling Jokes as they go to breakfast. The 29 meet them with "Welcome" ribbons displayed on their breasts and present him with a huge blue mustache cup Inscribed "To our Be- 1 H. W. CAMPBELL Painter and Paper Hanger Prices Reasonable.

Work Guaranteed. sieep wun nis cioines on ready ror Instant duty. "Talk erbout him a-dyln'!" growled Samuel to himself, lounging wearily In a chair beside the stove. "He's Jest startln' his life. He's a reg'lar hoss.

I didn't think he had it In him." Samuel's tone was resentful. He was a little Jealous of the distinction which had been made between him and Abe; and drawing closer to the flre, he shivered in growing distaste for tho cot assigned to him with the crew upstairs, where the white frost lay on the window latches. What uncomfortable chairs they had in this station! Samuel listened to the mooing of the breakers, to the wlad rattling at the casements and wondered If Blossy had missed him. About this time she must be sitting in her chintz-covered rocker, combing out the ringlets of her golden-white hair in the cheery firelight. Now, thart would be a siglit worth iieeing! Abe opened his mouth and began to snore.

What disgusting, hideous creatures men were, reflected Samuel. Six months' living with an unusually high-bred woman had Insensibly raised his standards. Why should he spend a week of his ever-shortening life with Buch inferior beings, Just for Abraham's sake for Abraham's sake, and to bear out a theory of his own, which he had already concluded a mistake? Abe gave a snort, opened his eyes, and muttered sleepily: "This is what I call a A No. 1 spree. Naow, terinor-rer But mumbling incoherently he relapsed into slumber, puffing his lips out into a whistling sound.

Samuel reached for a newspaper on the table, folded it into a missile, and started to fling it into the Innocent face of the sleeper. But fortunately for Abruiiaui, it was Captain Darby's cue-torn to count ten whenever seized by an exasperated impulse, and at the ninth number he regretfully dropped the paper. Then ho began to count in another way. Using the forefinger of his right hand ns a marker, he counted under his breath, "one" on his left thumb, then after a frowning interval, "two" on bis left forefinger, "three" on the middle digit, and so on, giving time for thought to each number, until he had exhausted the fingers of his left hand and was ready to start on the right. Count, count, went on Samuel, until thrice five was passed, and ho began to be confused.

Once more Abe awoke, and inquired if the other were trying to reckon the of new wigwags and signals which the service had acquired since J.H.H0GAN Pumps, Wind Mills and Plumbing. Well Drilling and Repair work. lovea urotner. CHAPTER "Brother Abe" expands under the warm reception of the sisters and the good breakfast. He compliments the cook and then blunders Into difficulties.

Blossy, the tactician, saves the day, and a reign of peace begins in the Old Ladles' home. CHAPTER VI "Brother Abe's grlnnln' done It," is Miss Abigail's explanation to the directors of increased prosperity and cheerfulness In the Home at the end of six months. Angy's old-wife love becomes a curious mixture of proud mother-love find young-wife leaning. Abe becomes the center of the community. CHAPTER VII Abe, searching for an rpple-plcker finds Blossy in the garret reading old love letters.

She asks Abe's advice about marrying Captain Samuel Darby, the aged lover. Abe advises her to marry Cap'n Sam'l, whose semi-annual visit is due that day. She dresses to receive him. He does not come. CHAPTER VIII-Blossy draws Abe aside at every opportunity to question Mm about Samuel, his old captain at the life-saving station.

The stBters observe and gossip buzzes, but dies as spring comes. On the anniversary of the Roses1 coming a feast is prepared, and Abe makes speech lauding Blossy above all others. Matriarch Aunt Nancy sends Angy out of the room. CHAPTER IX-Matrlarch Aunt Nancy takes Abe to task for flirting with Blossy. Abe's vanity is flattere'd, but when they tell him Angy is Jealous and hurt he rushes up to her room.

Downstairs Blossy meets Captain Samuel and, telling the (sisters the anniversary was also a farewell, drives away to be married. CHAPTER Abe's popularity decreases, the change reacts on him and he droops. He nags Angy. The sisters prescribe tansy tea for him. A pompous doctor idiot prescribes bed and stay there.

Then Abe is at the mercy of the 30. Captain Samuel comes to see him. CHAPTER Lady SI! Qit up!" Samuel roars at him. Abe, protesting, gets up and smokes, recovers under Samuel's vigorous mental treatment and agrees to go for a week's "hardening up" to Bleak Hill life-saving station. Angy plans a week at Blossy's home while they are gone.

CHAPTER XII Abe, exasperated by the "pfissel of meddlers" and hampered by endless advice about everything from flannels to fresh tilk, prepares for his "hardening trip." CHAPTER XIII Angy Is afraid of the separation. Abe drives away witlt Samuel, so Indignant over the attentions of tliu sisters that he forgets to bid Angy feel the temperature of the room in which he was supposed to sleep? What would Blossy say if she knew how his back ached? Whatever would PUBLIC SALE Blossy do to Abe Rose if she could suspect how he had tuckered out her "old man?" "He's a reg'lar hoss," brooded Samuel. "Oh, my feet!" grabbing at his right boot. "I'll bet yer all I got it's his hand and peering out upon the gleaming surface of the bay, over which the whlto sails of scooters were darting like a flock of huge, single-winged birds. "Eph's racing with Captain Dill Omen," replied the newspaper man.

"Captain Dill's pot an extra Bet of new runners at the side of his scooter and wants to tut them. Say, boys," looking front one to the other or the old fellows, "so you're going scooter-ing, eh? Lively sport! Cold kind of sport for men of your age. Do you know, I've a good mind to run in tomorrow an article on 'Long Island and Taking headline, eh? Captain Rose," turning to Abe as Samuel would do no more than glower at him, "to what do you attribute your good health at jour time of life?" Abe grinned all over his face and cleared his throat importantly, but before he could auswer, Samuel giowled:" "Ter me! His health an' his life both. I dragged him up out of a deathbed only a week ago." The editor took out his 'notebook and began scribbling. "What brought you so low, Captain Rose?" he inquired without glancing up.

Again, before Abe could answer, Samuel trod on hie toe. "Thirty mollycoddling women folks." Abe fouud his voice and slammed the fist of one hand against the palm of the other. "If you go an' put that in the paper, I'll I'll Words tailed him. He could see the sisters fairly lighting for the possession of the Shoreville Herald tomorrow, evening, as they always scrambled, each for the first glance at the only copy taken at Ihe home, and he could hear one reading his name aloud reading of tiie black ingratitude of their brother member. "Jest say," ha added eagerly, "that the time fer old folks ter stick home under tho cellar door has passed, an' nobody is tew old ter go a-gallivautin' nowadays.

An' then yew might mention" the old man's face was shining now as he imagined Angy's pleasure "that Mis' Rose is gone deown ter Twin Coves ter vwit Mis' Samuel Darby fer a week, an' Cap'n Darby an' Cap'n Abraham Rose," his breast swelling out, "is a golu' ter spend a week at Bleak Hill. Thar, hain't that Cap'n Eph a-Bcootin' in naow? 1 guess them air new runners o' Bill Green's didn't work. He hain't nowhere In sight. He "Le's be a-gwlne, Abe," interrupted Samuel, and leaving the editor still scribbling, ho led the way down the bank with a determined trudge, his market basket in one hand, his grip in the other, and his lips muttering that "a feller couldn't dow nulhin' In Fhoreville without gettin' his name in the paper." But a moment later, when the two were walking gingerly over the ice to the spot where Eph had drawn his scooter to a standstill, Samuel fell into a self-congratulatory chuckle. "He didn't rind out, though, that I had my reasons for leavin' home tew.

Womenfolks, be it only one, hain't good all the time fer nobody. I come ter see niossy twict a yoar afore we was married, reg'lar; an' naow, 1 cak'late ter leave her twict a ycar fer a ppell. A week onct every six mouths separate an' apart," proceeded tho recently made benedict, "is what makes a man an' his wife learn haow ter put up with one another in between times." "Why, me an' Angy," began Abe, "have lived tergether year in an' year out fer "AH aboard!" Interrupted Captain Eph with a shout. "It's a fair wind. I bet on making it in fivo minutes and lifty seconds." Soven minutes hud been the record time for tho five-mile sail over the ice to ii'tak Hill, but Samuel and Abe, botn vowing delightedly that the skipper ouidn't go too fast for them, stepped into the body of the boat and squatted down on the hard boards, 'lhey grinned at each other as the scooter started and Eph Jumped aboard grinned and waved to the people on the shore, their proud old thoughts crying: "I guess folks will see now that we're a young as we ever was!" them air chilblains.

That's what," he added, unconsciously speaking aloud. Abe's lids slowly lifted. He rubbed Ben Schober wants to put in the Lunch Stand. his eyes and yawned. He turned his head on his hard, blue gingham-cov ered pillow, and stared sleepily at the other.

Sale Lunch Stands a Specialty. "Yew been noddiu', Sam'l? Ain't glttin' sleepy a'ready, are yer?" He glanced at the clock. "Why, it's only half-past nine. Say, what's the matter with me an' yew goin' west ter meet No. Leetle breath o' fresh air'll make us sleep eplendid." He Btarted up from the couch, but dropped back, too heavy with weariness to carry off his bravado.

Samuel, however, not noticing the discrepancy Kasermann Hudelson GARAGE Full line of tires and automobile accessories of all kinds. Automobile repairing. We do electric wiring guaranteed to pass inspection of underwriters. Call and let us estimate the cost of wiring your residence or between speech and action, was al ready at the door leading upstairs. "Yew don't drag me out o' this sta tion ternignt, Abe Rose, ew re a reg'lar hoss; that's what yew be.

A I business building. reg'lai hoss! A reg'lar a reg'lar He flung open the door and went trudging as faet as his smarting feet could carry him up the steep and nar CHAPTER XIV. Cutting the Apron Strings. The usual tardy pleasure-seekers that gather at the foot of Shore Lana whenever the bay becomes a field of Ice and a field of sport as well were there to see the old men arrive, and as they stepped out of the carriage there came forward from among the group gathered about the fire on the beach the editor of the Shoreville Herald. Ever since hie entrance into the Old Ladies' home Abe had never stopped chafing in secret over the fact that until he died, and no doubt received worthy obituary, he might never again "have his name In the paper." In former days the successive editors of the local sheet had been willing, nay, eager, to chronicle his doings and Angy's, whether Abe's old enemy, rheumatism, won a new vic row Bteps, wherein the passing of Gasoline at prevailing prices.

Free Air. Livery in Connection. RED SEAL BATTERIES. HIGH AMPERAGE. other feet for many years had worn little hollows on either side.

Abraham limped, from the couch to the door himsolt, and called after him "Sam'l, don't yew want tew sleep by the fire? Yew seem a leetle softer than I be. Let me come upstairs." See Us For Picnic Lunches There was no answer beyond the vicious slamming of Samuel's boots upon the floor above. Abe raised his voice again, and now came in answer a roar of wrath from tory over him or Angy's second cousin Ruth came from Royerhead to epend the cot next to Samuel's. the day, or wonder Indeed to relate! We carry a full line of Heinz' delicious pick- "Go to bed!" shouted No. 6, a burly, red-headed Irishman.

"Go to bed wid the old man mended his roor or painted the front fence. No matter ye: unr young ioiks ao oe naairr a what happened of consequence to Captain and Mrs. Rose, Mr. Editor had little schlape!" (To be Continued.) Iesand relishes. Just received a shipment of Apple Butter, Sweet Red Peppers, Pea Nut But-ter, Pork and Beans.

We have Queen and stuf- fed Olives. A few cans Heinz Spaghetti at the The biggest tablet for 5 cent? always been zealous to retail the news before the auction sale of their household effects marked the death of the old couple, and of Abe especially, to the social world of Shoreville. What in town at S- T. Holeomb's. The climate of Colorado seems maif would care to read his name be very special price of 2 for 25c to introduce it.

to agree with Mrs. Dusenbery. Fred says she feels much strong tween the lines of such a news item er and better there. We would as this? The Old Ladles' Home is making prep arations for its annual quilting bee. Dona They continued to grin as the boat not be surprised if the family decided to locate there.

Ran Over on His Fingers the List of High Crimes. they had worked for the government; but on being sharply told to "Shet up!" went to sleep again. What the projector of the trip was really trying to recall was how many times that day he had regretted saving Abe from the devastating clutches of the old ladies. "Him need hardenin't" muttered Samuel blackly. "Why, he's harder now 'n nails an' hardtack!" Again he ran over on his fingers the list of high crimes and misdemeanors of which Abe had been guilty.

First thumb, left hand Abe had insisted on extending their scooter sail until he, Samuel, had felt his toes freezing In his boots. Second forefinger, left hand on being welcomed by the entire force at Bleak Hill and asked how long they expected to stay, Abe had blurted out, "A hull explaining that Samuel's rule requiring at least seven days of exile from his wife every eix months barred them from returning in less time. We have sweet, sour and dill pickles in bulk. tions of worsted, cotton batting, and lln Ings will be gratefully received. spun Into full flight and went whizzing over the ice, whizzing and bumping and bouncing.

Both their faces grew Mr. Editor touched his cap to the The picnic season is here. Call and let us help fit you out. two old men. Was a keen-faced, red, their two pairs of eyes began to H.

B. LOYD, PHONE NO. 903 POWHATTAN, KANSAS water, their teeth began to chatter; boyish little man with a laugh bigger than himself, but he always wore a but Samuel shouted at the top of his Fresh Oysters in Season. voice In defiance of the gale: worried air the day before his paper, a weekly, went to pres. and he woro that worried look now.

Touching his "Abe, we've cut the apron strings 1" "Hy-guy!" Abe shouted In return, his heart flying as fast as the sail, Powhatttan lodge No. 441. I. O.O. F.

meets Tuesday niirlit of each vsopi back to youth and manhood again, Sit? Jtteat JHapIpt back to truant. days and the vacation hand to his fur cap, he informed Samuel and Abe that news was "as pcarce as hen's teeth;" then added: "What's doing?" "Oh, nawthin', nawthin'," hastily re plied Samuel, who believed that he time of boyhood. "Hy-guy, Sam'l! in Odd Fellows' Hall. All Odd Fellows are cordially invited to meet with us. C.

H. Hartley, N. G. C. M.

Evans, liec. Sec. Hain't we a-gwine ter hnve a reg'lar A No. 1 epree!".