John Barbour

“ Barbour is the one amateur I ever knew who, in his time, was a little better than the best professional. I was very anxious after he won the amateur heavyweight championship to have Warren Barbour go into the ring against Jack Johnson. I would have bet everything I could afford to put up on Warren Barbour. I have seen all the champions in the last thirty years. Only one man, in his prime was, I think, better than Mr. Barbour. He was John L. Sullivan.
"When I was young, I was fond of outdoor life. I used to do considerable boxing, and I wrestled quite a bit. ”

“ Another growl. A pair of riding-boots was jammed on top of the pink shirt.
"Where?" I asked.
John paused, looked up and blinked at me. Evidently his destination had not troubled him. He threw the dead cigarette across the room and seized a box of golf-balls. Then, with his finger pointing toward the cellar, he snarled—well, an expression that Albert would have whispered!
"Play golf there, do they?"
He scowled across, and finally discarded the box. The nearest thing was a pair of Summer trousers. He seized these, rolled them into a tight bunch, and jammed them against the riding-boots. ”

“ It won’t hurt you, honest. Go ahead.”
So Claire gathered his courage and made the descent safely and John followed. On the grass in the shadow of the woodshed they waited for Sandy and Ned and then, forming in single file, they entered the park and proceeded along the path which John had travelled that afternoon. Once out of sight and sound of the house, Dutch, who was leading, began to prance and cavort.
“All sing!” he called softly. Instantly the procession started a slow and mournful chant:
“Hush! ”

“ A few days later there was a quiet wedding at the Springs. The beautiful church on the mountain-side had been decorated for the occasion, and at an early hour, while yet the robins were singing their matins, the little wedding-party gathered about the altar where John Darrell Britton and Kate Underwood plighted their troth for life. Above the jubilant bird-songs, above the low, subdued tones of the organ, the words of the grand old marriage service rang out with impressiveness. ”

“ The farmer gathered up his reins, looking hard and mistrustfully at the man in the road. “Well,” he muttered, “I hope you find it. When you do, though, I guess them friendly windows'll have bars on 'em! Get ap!”
“I forgot to tell you,” said the other hopefully, as the old horse jogged resignedly on, “that it is called 'Heart's Content.'”
There was no answer. The man in the buggy seemed anxious to be gone. The traveler watched the receding vehicle in silence for a min- ute as it creaked on its way. ”

“ The Vagabond swung her nose seaward and tugged at the cable, but the anchor held fast. Nelson and Bob examined the lanterns carefully, took in the flags, which 72 had been forgotten, and came back to the cockpit. Barry, who seemed to scent trouble, followed Dan’s heels at every step.
“If the weather stays like this,” observed Dan, “we’ll do pretty well.”
“Yes, and I don’t see any sign of a change,” answered Nelson. “Barometer’s behaving well and the wind’s clean from the west. All we’ve got to do now is to have our dinner, turn in, and sleep until morning. ”

“ He crouched far over the saddle horn and lashed Scamp with the dripping quirt. Urging was unnecessary, for it seemed the horse knew that Death was rushing along behind them. He raced as Roy had never seen him run before. The walls rushed by, dim and misty. In a minute Boy gathered courage to glance back over his shoulder. His heart sank—only a yard or two behind them rushed the foam-topped wave. Here and there the sides of the arroyo melted in the flood and toppled downward, yards at a time, sending the yellow water high in air, but making no sound above its roaring. ”

“ The road, however, constantly got worse, and it was slow going.
“I see where we get a late dinner to-night,” said Dan, at about three o’clock. “I’ll bet we haven’t gone two miles in the last hour!”
“Told you we’d ought to stay where we were,” said Tom.
“And I guess you were right, Tommy, my boy. Never say die, though!” And Dan hitched his pack into place, and trudged on. By four, they were still but little more than halfway to Beach Neck, and Bob got his map out.
“Well,” asked Nelson, “is there any sign of civilization around here?” ”

“ Any new men going in? Yes there's—No, it isn't, either. Blessed if every man isn't going back! Oh, hang!"
"Some of them won't be there long, I guess," said Roy.
"Well, I must go back and get some noise. The lazy chumps don't half cheer. Hope you get on, old chap. So long!"
Presently the Ferry Hill cheer was ringing across the field, and Chub, his coat thrown aside, was out on the side-line leading as only he could. Over the fading white lines the two teams arranged themselves. From the Hammond side came a last burst of noise. Spectators scurried back to points of vantage. ”

“ It needs a new coat of paint, for one thing. And some of the blinds are broken. 116 And there ought to be a furnace in it. Stoves don’t really keep it warm in winter. Some day we’ll fix it up nicely, though. As soon as I get through high school, I’m going to work and make a lot of money.”
“Attaboy!” approved Ned. “What are you going to do, Polly?”
“I’m learning stenography and typewriting, and Mr. Farmer, the lawyer,—he’s the one who got the others to let Mother have the house when Uncle Peter’s estate was settled,—says he will find a place for me in his office. ”

“ Dew-gems shimmered under the caressing breeze and the tips of the spreading, reaching branches [142] nodded and whispered together. Beyond, the little silver-voiced river laughed amongst its shallows and flashed in the sunlight. From the marshland came the happy gurgle of a flock of red-winged blackbirds, while fainter, yet sweet and clear, the light-hearted tinkle of the bobolink floated across from the rising meadows. Sleek, well-conditioned robins balanced amidst the apple-trees and sang contentedly between groomings of their red waistcoats. And louder, clearer, gladder sang Ethan’s heart. ”

“ Dan sat up and stared at the house. “Hello!” he said, “I’ve been here before. This is Lloyd, isn’t it?”
“I think so,” Gerald laughed. “Tooker and Burtis have gone in to find out. Come on. I guess the car will be all right here.”
“Dinner in fifteen minutes,” announced Ned as they entered the Washington’s Head. “Come on and get washed up. I’m as hungry as a bear. This is lots more fun than having dinner at your place, Pennimore,” he continued as they clattered down the stairs. “No aspersions on Sound View, you understand, but the unexpected is always jollier than the expected. ”

“ The air had grown lifeless. Far off to the westward a flash of lightning ripped the darkness.
If they did meet—what? What was to be said that had not already been said? It was not likely that five months had shaken her determination. He had allowed her to choose and she had chosen; and he had accepted the verdict with what he prided himself was good grace; would it be fair to try to alter it all now?
The sound of running steps half a block ahead broke into his thoughts. A dark figure crossed the boulevard from one of the streets leading toward the lake and paused under a lamp-post. ”

“ Tom groaned dismally.
“When I get back,” said Dan darkly, “I’ll bet I’ll tell that doctor of mine what I think of his old walking!”
“Here’s some one coming,” whispered Nelson. “Let’s light out.”
“It’s a woman,” said Bob. “Guess it’s the old codger’s wife. Let’s wait.”
She was a stout, kind-faced woman, and her hurried walk from the house had left her somewhat out of breath.
“Boys,” she gasped, “I’m real sorry about this. And I guess you didn’t mean any harm.”
[40]
“Harm?” echoed Bob. “No’m, we just wanted some supper and were willing to pay for it. A man down at Locust Park——”
“Yes, I know. ”

“ Alf exploded. “Give him a fried egg with it and let him have a real party!”
“No, no, I guess Hot Celery Wine would be too strong. I’ll have a hot chocolate.”
The clerk, visibly amused, served the order and added a little dish of sweet crackers, and the boys removed their repast to one of the small tables near by from where they could view the street through the big window.
“There are some Broadwoods now,” said Alf, “looking at the cup. I’d like to hear what they’re saying.” Dan leaned past him so that he could see Proctor’s window.
“The big fellow is Rhodes, their full back,” he said. ”

“ Indeed, many a time [165] he had paddled about in one of the Grace and Ella’s dories, and despite Mr. Barker’s enmity, the lad had received more than one invitation from Captain Jordan to make a trip in the schooner to the fishing-grounds, though he had declined to do so, at the desire of his father.
“You say the tug ain’t coming straight out o’ Greenport?” the skipper asked.
“No telling when she will be here,” replied Jack. “I don’t think she can be long, though.”
“Well, I’ll have to drop my anchor soon as the tide turns again,” replied the fisherman, “unless you like to give us a tow. ”

“ Barbour is, in person, muscular and vigorous, and rather inclined to corpulency. His eyebrows are thick and bushy, which gives to his countenance a little too much the appearance of ferocity, but this is counterbalanced by a peculiar expression in his visage, that conveys a sentiment of mildness and humanity. He seems to be above forty years of age, and is about five feet ten inches high. Of his mind, the prominent characters are brilliancy and fervor. He has more imagination than judgment, and more splendor than solidity. ”

“ The hawser fell with a splash into the water, and Jack brought the sloop round into the wind, leaving the Grace and Ella with enough way on to sidle to her berth.
An angry face appeared at the edge of the wharf.
“What d’ye mean by meddling in my affairs?” demanded Mr. Barker, scowling down on the boys.
“Meddling?” said Jack unruffled. “I was giving her a little tow. Doesn’t she look as though she needed it? It was quite a salvage job.”
“Salvage!” Mr. Barker’s surprise and consternation were ludicrous. “You get no salvage [178] out o’ me, young man! No one asked you to interfere. ”

“ The Vagabond lay peacefully at anchor at the mouth of Hempstead Harbor. It was almost midnight and a ragged-looking moon was tingeing the quiet water with silver light. In the cabin the crew were preparing for bed. Spencer had finished his narrative of events and was sitting on the edge of Bob’s berth looking almost happy.
“Then we guessed right about the empty boat,” said Nelson.
“Yes,” answered Spencer. “They seen me from the Henry the first thing. And when they had me aboard the captain told Joe—that’s the feller with the rings in his ears—to stave a hole in the bottom of your boat. ”

“ No, sir, the best place for you is right here aboard the Vagabond. And if Provincetown isn’t a safe place to stay, I vote we move on.”
“To-night?” asked Bob.
“I don’t care. In the morning, if you fellows think it’ll be safe to stay until then. Only we want to get out before Captain Chowder begins to use the wires.”
“I tell you!” exclaimed Nelson. “Just as soon as it’s light we’ll run outside a ways and put Spencer in the tender. Then he can row around and keep out of the way until we get our tank filled again. And then we can pick him up.”
“Dandy!” cried Tom. ”

“ It seems to me we don’t do anything else nowadays; I’m getting a crick in my back over it.”
They went across the engine room and stepped out into the cockpit. Then they stared about them in surprise. There was nothing to be seen. The fog had crept up since they had gone below and was now stealing silently past them, blown landward before a tiny southeast breeze. Nelson and Dan looked at each other inquiringly.
“Isn’t this the dickens?” asked Dan.
“It surely is,” was the reply. “O Bob! Come out here!” ”

“ They say the canned spaghetti is quite delicious.”
“You absurd man! Of course I don't mind, only——” She studied him suspiciously. “Well, I know that isn't the reason. I suppose, though, I'll find out in time. Shall we go back? I think Beryl is down. I'm glad you like it. Mr. Vernon thinks it makes him look too—what was it your father said about the portrait, Beryl?”
“That it made him look too senatorial,” replied Beryl, as she shook hands with Allan. “Father has a rabid dislike for what he calls 'frock-coat statesmanship,' Mr. Shortland.” ”

“ That is a nice quart can of metal polish.”
“Huh! I’d like to know what I’ve got to do with it!”
“Oh, the cook always shines the bright-work.”
“Now, look here——”
“Careful,” warned Nelson, “or we’ll put you in irons for mutiny.”
“Guess the iron wouldn’t be any worse than the brass,” said Tom with a grin.
At half-past eleven all was in readiness. One of the yard hands threw off the mooring rope and Bob took the wheel. Dan and Tom stood at the engine-room door and watched Nelson as he turned on the gasoline, looked to his vaporizer valve, and closed his battery switch. ”

“ The Larches is mine, dear, and the lotus pool shall be yours for life, if you’ll let me come sometimes and sit beside you under the trees on the bank. Will you?”
She dropped her eyes.
[213]
“Will you?” he repeated.
“WILL YOU?” HE REPEATED.
She moved nearer, with lowered head, and laid her hands palms up on the oaken counter. He took them and drew her toward him. She raised a rosy face toward him, the violet eyes darting fearfully toward the reading room. Ethan paused and looked thoughtful.
“In nice libraries,” he said, “they have what they call the open stacks. Is it so here?” ”

“ If you’ve got any silly idea in your head that Bob and I are going to buy a house for Miss Comfort to spend the rest of her days in—”
“Don’t be an ass,” begged Laurie.
“All right, but why the locked door, then? And why all the—the talk about it?”
“Nod’s got a scheme,” said Bob, and he beamed trustfully at Laurie.
Ned grunted suspiciously. “Bet you it calls for money,” he said.
“It doesn’t,” replied Laurie. “At least, only a few pennies. The price of a telegram to Sioux City, Iowa, and, divided among the three of us, that won’t amount to anything, I guess.” ”