White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1858-05-13


Hunter. He died only short time since, il
New York. He was a good sailot; a noble.
hearted man, beloved By all the good men Of
his ship, but bis own worst enemy.) .
MIR. Hunter, what does the lieutenant of ma.
rines meanl'' the host asked. ,.,fsy, sre'
:" Bds didhereaiiy have these tbings1" Hun.
ter asked. -s - Tf. -.---.,- ~.
Why, most surely he did. But" aAd here
Joe lowered his voice to a whisper, I" he was
pretty well done up when he did it. He always
pays when he's sober"
"Ah," uttered Charley, with merry twinkle
of the eye, {" then he does tip little too much
when We amt here, eh?' frff
"Why, yes. He has been here pretty badly
of. Twice have had to put him to bed, but /
have never charged him for that''
:" Ho. no; now understand. Keep mum, Joe,
and III bring him around. He's good when he
knows the truth. I'll break it to him."
As soon as possible, Hunter communicated to
the rest Of the officers what he had learned
touching Peabody's habits when on shore alone.
1t was "nuts - for them. The lieutenant of
marines was very severe in his structures upon
the habits of those officers who got little "over
the bay =" sometimes, and now they had chance
to pay him off; but they saidpothing until after
they had gone on board.
The table was set in the Kard-room, and the
lieutenants had set down to supper. Hunter led
off by remark about the strange account which
old Joe had found upon his book. .
Why, perdition seize his old cabin, where
did he get those reckOnings?" Peabody uttered
earnestly. ado you believe the old rat would
really try to fleece fellow like thatf'
"I guess not" returned Hunter. g Don't you
think it possible that you might had those things
set down when you have been little over?'' j.
Oper2 over what2'' ~
"why. over the bay; a little the worse for in
ward dampnoss." .-
Do you mean drunk?'' f---
"why it's what some folks vulgarly call
drunk - ...-- -.......
Peabody thought at first that they were only
joking him; but ere long he was sure they were
in earnest.
"Ho, ho-'twOnt go down, Peabody. Now
own up. Haven't you done 1t when you've been
alone, eh7'' -.r
No, have not.''
But the others wouldn't believe him; and
from that time the officers emily shook their heads
mysteriously when the lieutenant of marines
said anything against drunkenness.
When he went next on shore he steered for
Old Joe's at once, and he was charged with in
dignation to the muzzle.
It's bright; it's all right" the host said,
clapping his hand upon Peabody's back. al
made the mistake, so say no more about it."
Peabody turned triumphantIy to Hunter and
bod, who accompanied him, and asked them if
they were satisfied. They shook their heads,
laughed, and said, o, yes" ...s. r-.
"Say, Joe, how is this7' asked Hunter, as
soon as he could get an opportunity to speak
th the host aside. r. .-f
Why" returned Joe, " he came back here
rnight and explainedit all when Iopen-
beet. He told me never to speak of
the sebject again in the presence of others
That is all he objected to them"
After this, matters passed on for month, and
the only notice taken of the curious incident
abeTe set down, was an occasional joke from
some of the officers. At length the ship was to
sail from Toulon, and the prospect was that she
would make long cruise before she returned
again to Port Mahon. On the afternoon before
sailing, some of the Iieutenants went on shore
to have social game of billiards at old Joe's.
The games had been played, and the officers had
settled up. Old Joe had been watching our lieu
tenant of marines, eagerly and anxiously, and
as the latter turned to go away, the old Dago
caught him by the button hole.
"Mr. Peabody he whispered, "wOn't you
settle that account nowf"
Account"
ayes, sir. You know you told me you would.
have kept still so far; but you are going away
in the morning, and want nay money"
"Wast your money!" cried the excited Off
Ger. "What do you meant"
"why," returned Joe, speaking loudly, too,
while the rest of the officers gathered round the
spot, " here's your account, run up to now over
fifty dollars; and you said If / wouldn't say any
thing more about it you'd"
"Hold! Why you lying, thieving, cheating,
rascaIly old landshark! Do you mean to insult
me7'' e
sNo. no. Bot, Mr.. Peabody, you won't cheat
me So"
The lieutenant of marines made spring-at
Joe,s throat, and would have throttled him had
not his companions held him back.
"Does he mean to accuse me of cheating
himf'' gasped Peabody, struggling in the arms
Of those who held him.
But Hunter soon contrived to restore quiet.
He assured old Joe that all should be settled to
his satisfaction.
GWe'll watch him narrowly" he said to the
host, and when we catch him drunk, well ex-
ulsinthe whole matter to him"
0ThasIl d., !" Joe returned, " spose he don't
remember what he does when he's drunk"
Itxas nearly dusk when the officers Weat on,
and Peabody supposed all was settled. On the
following morning all hands were called to get
under weigh. Just as the capstan bars had been
shipped, shore boat came alongside containing
man and woman. The first lieutenant asked
them what they wanted, and the female return
ed thai she wanted to see the 'lieutenantof ma
reens.' She was allowed to come on board
She was pretty girl, stout, fair, and horid' ana
was recognized as the daughter of an old shoe
maker who did the making and cObblng tor the