The Argosy, Volume XLIV — page 167: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

A COMMUTATION OF SENTENCE. 163 “We've got a Christmas dinner on for to-morrow! This is the twenty- fourth of December!” shouted Mr. Thorpe. “Just so,” replied Yarrow calmly. “ Like a life insurance company, I have several options to place before you, none of which need be delayed, but can be taken advantage of at once. I have in the Hypatia, a goodly boat from my friend Kloom’s stable, a turkey, some bread, some coffee, some celery, some ‘yams, oh, everything for a Christmas dinner. We can, if you choose, spend Christmas on the island and talk mat- ters over. Or, 1f my company is not de- sirable, I will generously donate the stuff and depart.” “But we must go! You must take !”’ wailed Mrs. Thorpe. “Just so. I was coming to another option. This island is flat and liable to Us ; be wet if the water is rough. The Hy- © patia is a beautiful boat and can reach Mr. Kloom’s yacht mooring in a few hours. JI assume you wish to go to your Christmas dinner. I was wise and brought mine with me. Now, if you in- sist that I take you back, I must first obtain my pay.” “Name it! Dll give you a thou- sand!” said Mr. Thorpe, with some- thing suspiciously like a grin. “T don’t want a thousand. I want. Nell.” “Gracious goodness! ” howled Mrs. Thorpe. “ What a monster! ” “Tl take you all back if it’s a go!” came a shout from the Hypatia. “It is ridiculous!” said Mr. Van Noonck. “ Why is it? Others have been sacri- ficed for their parents’ sake, why not I?” asked Nell. — Mr. Thorpe grinned again. “That fellow’s all right,” he said. “ Any man that can trick me like this is a good one and will get along. I say, out there! How much did you offer Kloom to kick out that plug?” “A cold hundred!” “Come and get your girl! I want a piece of that turkey.” “Mr. Van Noonck is there. I don't take any chances in a game like this. He’s got to marry us now or you stay where you are.” “Gad! He plays a sure game!” said Mr. Thorpe. “ It'll be a Christmas pres- ent for him, all right. Well, Van Noonck, I guess you'll have to do it.” # a aK * A self-made man adinires resource- fulness in others. The writer fellow had played them a trick and won. Mrs. Thorpe wept a little, and Mr. Van Noonck did everything but swear. But Sammy Kloom went out and man- aged the Hypatia, while Yarrow went ashore. Under the palmettos the clergyman made Yarrow and Nell man and wife, and the journey home began. The Christmas party dinner was a success, and Mrs. Yarrow was introduced. And Sammy Kloom bought himself a new outfit of clothes and prayed for an- other writer man to come his way. A COMMUTATION OF. SENTENCE. MISCHIEVOUS Cupid, once upon a day, While looking for a target for his dart, Caught sight of me, and then to my dismay Aimed straight and true and pierced me to the heart. — His wanton cruelty I swore he’d rue. I tried him ; judge and jury both was I ; And “ guilty” was the verdict stern but true : Without delay I sentenced him to die. But all my bitter wrath was changed to joy, When my sweetheart, appealing, took his part, And now he’s “ up for life” —the roguish boy, Imprisoned here forever in my heart ! C. OuUgle D. Z. Doty. COMRRIC LOO COL