The original plan of the merchantry comprehended the erection of the
jail in close proximity to the home of its chief official, but Mr. Crow
put his foot flatly and ponderously upon the scheme. With the dignity
which made him noticeable, he said he'd "be doggoned ef he wanted to
have people come to his own dooryard to be arrested." By which, it may
be inferred, that he expected the evil-doer to choose his own arresting
place.
Mr. and Mrs. Crow were becoming thrifty, in view of the prospect that
confronted them, to wit: The possible marriage of Rosalie and the
cutting off of the yearly payments. As she was to be absent for a full
month or more, Anderson conceived the idea of advertising for a lodger
and boarder. By turning Roscoe out of his bed, they obtained a spare
room that looked down upon the peony beds beyond the side "portico."
Mr. Crow was lazily twisting his meagre chin whiskers one morning soon
after Rosalie's departure. He was leaning against the town pump in front
of the post-office, the sun glancing impotently off the bright badge on
the lapel of his alpaca coat. A stranger came forth from the post-office
and approached the marshal.
"Is this Mr. Crow?" he asked, with considerable deference.
"It is, sir."
"They tell me you take lodgers."
"Depends."
"My name is Gregory, Andrew Gregory, and I am here to canvass the
neighbourhood in the interest of the Human Life Insurance Company of
Penobscot.
Pages:
236
237
238
239
240
241
242
243
244
245
246
247
248
249
250
251
252
253
254
255
256
257
258
259
260