Read Ebook: Strictly Business by Howard F Morton Francis Morton

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Ebook has 1907 lines and 67500 words, and 39 pages

"Do you like corn?" the Major inquired.

Mr. Crow swallowed once or twice before answering.

"I can eat it," he said finally. "It keeps one alive, you know. But if you've never had any, I advise you not to touch it."

Major Monkey thanked him.

"Don't mention it!" said Mr. Crow. "I'm delighted to be of help to a stranger. And if there is anything else I can do, don't hesitate to call on me."

Major Monkey thanked him again. And then he said:

"I'd like to get acquainted with all the neighbors--such as they are. And I would suggest that you give a party and invite me and a lot of people to come to it, so I can meet them."

Old Mr. Crow bit his tongue. It struck him that Major Monkey was just the least bit too forward.

"What about refreshments?" Mr. Crow asked him. "It's easy to see that you don't know the neighbors. I can tell you that they have enormous appetites--every one of them."

"Oh! that's easily arranged," said Major Monkey. "Tell everybody to be sure to have his refreshments before he comes to the party."

"A good idea!" Mr. Crow exclaimed. With that difficulty removed he was willing to give a party, for he quite liked the prospect of introducing everybody to "his old friend, Major Monkey."

"You're sure you don't know anybody in this valley except me?" Mr. Crow asked. He didn't want to divide with anyone else the honor of being a friend of anybody so imposing as the Major.

"I haven't spoken to a soul but you," Major Monkey assured him.

Mr. Crow said he was glad of that. And then he asked the Major to keep out of sight until the time came for the party to begin.

At first Major Monkey objected. And not until Mr. Crow promised to have the party that very day--an hour before sunset--did he consent to hide himself.

"Where's a good place?" he asked Mr. Crow.

"That tree is hollow," said Mr. Crow, pointing to the one in which he had first seen the Major. "Just slip inside that hole there, about half way up the trunk, and don't come out till I call you!"

Major Monkey scrambled back into the tall tree. And Mr. Crow watched him narrowly until he was out of sight. Indeed, the old gentleman even continued to stare at the hole after his friend had vanished inside it.

Wanted--A Lodging

Afterward old Mr. Crow had to admit that he must have been forgetful. He had told Major Monkey to hide inside the hollow tree. And being a total stranger in the neighborhood, of course the Major didn't know that an owl lived there.

So he entered the dark hole boldly. And soon he came dashing out of it much faster than he had gone in, shrieking at the top of his voice.

Old Mr. Crow was poised on a branch, as if he were waiting for something. And he almost smiled as he looked at the Major and saw that he was shaking. The poor fellow's teeth were chattering, too.

"What's the matter?" Mr. Crow called to him.

"There's--there's a Tiger inside this tree!" Major Monkey stammered. "I know it's a Tiger, for I saw his eyes."

Major Monkey straightened his cap and looked as soldierly as he could.

Old Mr. Crow stopped laughing and looked very thoughtful. It occurred to him he 'Jane Gladys,' ain't you?" opened Captain Gooster.

"At present, sir," said Mr. Dobb.

"I've 'eard about you," remarked Captain Gooster.

"I dare say you 'ave, sir," guardedly returned Mr. Dobb.

"You're the one they call 'Orace," continued the other.

"Mostly, sir," agreed Mr. Dobb.

"Mind you, I ain't the kind of man 'oo's fool enough to believe all he hears," said the skipper of the "Alert."

"Thank you, sir," replied Horace, gratefully.

"I've 'eard Cap'n Putt say you're a real smart, sharp, clever chap."

"Ah, well, of course 'e does know what 'e's talking about, sir," observed Horace, with the air of one making a concession.

"I've 'eard old Peter Dutt keep on by the hour about your cleverness and artfulness," said Captain Gooster. "'E swears you're a wonder, and, if 'alf 'e says about you is true, so you are."

Mr. Dobb, nodding his head, modestly refrained from speech. Captain Gooster, as though he had satisfactorily disposed of all preliminaries, sat back and stroked his chin in thought for some moments.

"I'm glad I came across you to-night, 'Orace," he said, at length. "A man with a 'ead-piece--that's what I'm looking for."

"Yes, I 'eard about the 'Jane Gladys,'" said Captain Gooster, slowly. "But I wasn't looking out for a man for my crew. It's just a private matter. You 'elp me, if you can, and as far as a pint or two goes--"

"You'll excuse me, sir," interrupted Mr. Dobb, with dignity, "but brain work ain't bought with pints, nor quarts, neither. I'm looking for a job, not a evening out."

"Well, we'll see," temporized the master of the "Alert." "If you needs a job and does me a good turn, I ain't the man to forget it."

"Thank you, sir; and a gentleman's word is good enough for me!" stated Mr. Dobb, profusely. "And you won't ever regret taking me on the 'Alert.' And I can start this week with you, if you like."

"Steady!" begged the startled captain. "Why, you ain't even 'eard what the trouble is yet."

"I'll soon settle it, sir, whatever it is," vaunted Horace. "Just you tell me about it, and leave the rest to me."

"Well, then," said Captain Gooster, confidentially, "to begin with, you must know I'm a widower."

"Ah, I see! You've been a-carrying on," diagnosed the cook, cheerfully. "Well, we'll soon choke 'er off. I reckon, on the 'Alert,' you ought to pay me--"

"A widower!" repeated Captain Gooster, frowning at Mr. Dobb's precipitancy. "And I don't mind confessing to you that I was disappointed in my marriage. You see, I married for love."

"Oh, well--" commented Horace, shrugging his shoulders.

"And she married me for my money."

"Ah, women'll do anything for money," said Mr. Dobb.

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