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It was due in part to recollections of this legend and others of a similar character that people laughed when they said, "Oh yes, I know Dave BEASLEY!" Altogether, I should say, Beasley was about the most popular man in Wainwright. I could discover nowhere anything, however, to shed the faintest light upon the mystery of Bill Hammersley and Simpledoria.
All that wild talk about 'Bill Hammersley' and 'Simpledoria' and spring-boards in Scotland and " "And an eleven-foot jump," I suggested. "Why, there's no more a 'Bill Hammersley," she cried, with a gesture of excited emphasis, "than there is a 'Simpledoria'!" "So it appears," I agreed.
Dave got well acquainted with 'em on the train on the way home, and they certainly are giving him a lively time. Ho, ho! Getting him up at four in the morning " Mr. Dowden's mirth overcame him for a moment; when he had mastered it, he continued: "Simpledoria now where do you suppose he got that name? well, anyway, Simpledoria is supposed to be Hamilton Swift, Junior's St. Bernard dog.
"He tells ME," said Beasley, "he'll be mighty glad to. And there's a plate of bones for Simpledoria." "You lead the way," cried the child; "you and Mrs. Hunchberg." "Are we all in line?" Beasley glanced back over his shoulder. "HOO-ray! Now, let us on. Ho! there!" "BR-R-RA-vo!" applauded Mister Swift.
"Never!" she answered, emphatically. "Never anything so exciting! Merely deadly and hopelessly commonplace." She picked up the saucer, now exceedingly empty, and set it upon a shelf by the lattice door. "What was it about what was that name? 'Simpledoria'?" "I will tell you," I said.
"I meant a particular instance," I began; meaning to see if she could give me any clew to Bill Hammersley and Simpledoria, but at that moment the gate clicked under the hand of another caller. My cousin rose to greet him; and presently I took my leave without having been able to get back upon the subject of Beasley. Thus, once more baffled, I returned to Mrs.
Mister Swift lifted a commanding finger. "Simpledoria, shake hands!" I knelt beside the wagon and shook an imaginary big paw. At this Mister Swift again shook hands with me and allowed me to perceive, in his luminous regard, a solemn commendation and approval.
The fact that Miss Apperthwaite could picture such a man as this "sitting and sitting and sitting" himself into any form of mania or madness whatever spoke loudly of her own imagination, indeed! The key to "Simpledoria" was to be sought under some other mat.
There was a certain inscrutability about Miss Apperthwaite sometimes, it should be added, as if she did not like to be too easily read. "I've heard all about it. Mr. Beasley's been appointed trustee or something for poor Hamilton Swift's son, a pitiful little invalid boy who invents all sorts of characters. The old darky from over there told our cook about Bill Hammersley and Simpledoria.
If, however, he declared himself to be "Hamilton Swift, Junior," which was his happiest mood, Bill Hammersley and Simpledoria were in the ascendant, and there were games and contests. When he told us he was "Just little Hamilton" we were very quiet. Once, for ten days, his Invisibles all went away on a visit: Hamilton Swift, Junior, had become interested in bears.
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