Argosy All-Story Weekly, November 13, 1920 — page 149: what you’re looking at

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

POP DRUMMOND’S BIRTHDAY, about kill him. It ’‘l] mean the County House fer him. He won’t have nothin’ left.”’ “Tm sorry, but Mr. Lowny is no eleem- osynary foundation, my friend.” “ Ef ye’ll stick to English perhaps I can foller ye.” ‘“T mean that he is not a charitable in- stitution.” “Sho! No, I jedge he ain’t,” was the slow return. ‘An’ he'll plug pop on his birthday, too. It don’t seem right. Say, _ everybody knows that pop’s been payin’ in- trust on that moggage fer forty year. He’s paid more intrust than the place stan’s fer. Don’t Lowny think o’ that? Ain’t there nothin’ to be done ’cept to ruin a old man?” - “JT think not. My client is obdurate.” The big man looked puzzled, but he nodded. ‘ Shouldn’t wonder a bit! Say, wouldn’t he belay boardin’ pop ef he paid . off the hull moggage now?”’ The other shook his head as he dusted the string-piece with his gloved hand and sat down. “I'll be frank with you, my friend. I have been ordered to dispossess Captain Drummond. The interest on the mortgage has not been paid for a year and now Mr. Lowny has a chance to sell the entire Point to a menhaden company, the title to be given within three days. Nothing else can be considered; the time is too short. That’s the situation. I tell you be- cause I think you people ought to know it. I wish to add that this errand is intensely disagreeable to me.” ‘““T see—I see. But perhaps Lowny don’t just reckon what it ‘Il mean to pop. Won’t ye hold off till ye can tell him?” The other shook his head. “No. Mr. Lowny understands. I have discussed the matter with him. I have done my best for Captain Drummond, but pertinacity of pur- pose is one of my client’s idiosyncracies.” “ Don’t git furrin’ again. I only under- stand United States.” “IT mean he is set. Business is business, and he knows the law will uphold him. For the rest he cares nothing.” The other made no direct return to this. After a flashing glance at the sleek Mr. Stegle he ejected a wad of tobacco from his mouth and got to his feet. 7 ‘Then there ain’t no more to be said. A27 That seegar o’ yourn makes me kinder hanker fer a smoke. No thank ye, | wouldn’t rob ye. Tl be back in a minnit. Ef them pertaters come tell the feller to leave ’em. Ye can git into the dory, ef ye want to.” , But Mr. Stegle prefered the steadier pier and contented himself in looking across the broad bay. The other climbed the hill to the store. Mr. Sanford was behind the counter, and his late customer, a slatternly female, was doubtfully fingering a piece of calico. The big man came in softly but his deep voice shook the floor like the subbass of a grand organ. ‘Gimme a seegar, Phil. It’s all up! He’s come!” “'Who’s come?” ‘“Lowny’s lawyer. Stegle, he calls him- self.” : “ Feller that was just in here? an’ store clothes?” ‘“That’s him! ’Fraid 0’ the dark—’fraid 0’ the water! My land! An’ I promised to take him over.” - The proprietor looked puzzled. did he say his name was?” ‘* Stegle.”’ : - Mr. Sanford’s lips puckered in a low whistle. He looked askance at the listen- ing woman ten feet away and beckoned the big man to come close. Leaning across the counter he whispered into his ear. The fisherman listened, then started back and stared at him incredulously. “Ye don’t mean it’s so!” ‘“ Uhuh.” Again came more whispering during which Mr. Sanford waved an arm in vigorous gesture, ending his earnest speech aloud and with a cryptic sentence which put the lingering woman into a desperate state of unsatisfied curiosity. “Do as.I tell ye. Git his finger in the hole—git it in the hole like I said, an’ ye’ll have him tame.” But the big man did not appear to have heard the last. He was mightily stirred over something, and his tobacco-stained lips were set into a hard line. he stared into vacancy, and then, as if he had seen a great light, he turned and ab- ruptly left the store. Outside he halted a moment then brought his great hand down Plug hat ‘““ What Eomichooks For a moment. (E(0)