The Tipton advertiser., 1877-04-26

4 thS LAtSfitIltc.
| Before the whistles of the steame
were next heard, however, Esthe
learned something OF the sufferings 0
would-be reformers, aud found caus
to wonder who was to endure mos
that Mrs. Crayme should have a sobe
husband, for Fred was alternatel.
cross, moody, distracted, and inatten
tive, and even sullcnly remarked u
his breakfast-table one morning tha
he shouldn't be sorry If the Excel
lence" were to blow up, and leav
Mrs. Crayme to find her happiness il
widowhood. But no such luck befel
the lady; the whistle signals Of tn
Excellence were again heard in
the river. and the nature of Fred,
business with the captain made it un
advisable for Fred to make an cxcus
for leaving the boat unvisited.
1t did seem to Fred Macdonald as i
everything cohspired to make his tasl
as hard as it could possibly be. Craym,
was already under the influence o
more liquor than was necessary to his
well-being, and the boat carried a
| passengers couple of men, who
though professional gamblers, Craym'
found very jolly company when the.
were not engaged in their busines,
calling. Besides, Captain Craymt
was running against time with an OPP
position boat which had just been put
upon the river, and he appreciated thu
necessity Of having the boats bar vel
stocked and freely opened to whoever
along the river was influential in
making or marring the reputation oi
steamboats,. Fred finally acted sc
awkwardly, and looked 40 pale, that
the captain suggested chills, and pre-
scribed brandy. Fred smiled feebly,
and replied,
NO, thank you, Sam; brandy's at
the bottom of the trouble. F'-here
Fred made tremendous attempt to
rally mimself-"I want you to swear
off, Sam"
The astonishment Of Captain Crayme
was marked enough to be alarming at
first; then the ludicrous feature OF
Fred's request struck him SO forcibly
that he burst into laugh before
whose greatness Fred trembled and
shrank.
well, by thunder!' exclaimed the
captain, when he recovered his breath;
''if that isn't the best thing ! ever
heard yet. The idea of steamboat
captain swearing off his whiskey
Say, Fred, don't you want me to join
the church: forgot that you'd mar
ried a preachers daughter, or would
not have been so puzzled over your
white face to-day. Sam Crayme
brought down to cold water. Wouldn' I
the boys along the river get up sweet
lot of names for me-ths cold water
Captain 'Psalm-singing Sammy
and then when an editor or any other
visitor came on board, UOutan't II look
the thing hauling out glasses and u
pitcher of water? Say, Fred, does
your wife let you drink tea and coffee?
"Sam," exclaimed Fred. springing
to his feet. "if you don't stop slanting
at my wife, IN knock you down."
Good" said the captain, without
exhibiting any signs Of trepidation.
NoW you talk like yourself again. I
beg your pardon, old fellow; you
know was only joking, but it is too
funny. You'll have to take cup or
two with me again, though, and be
reformed.
Not any, said Fred, resuming his
chair, take your wife along, and re-
form yourself"
Look here, now, young man" said
the captain, you're cracking on too
much steam. Honestly. Fred, I've
kept sharp eye on you for two or
three months, and I'm right glad you
can let whiskey alone. I've seen times
when wished I were in your boots;
but steamboats, cant be run without
liquor, however it may be with :.wool-
en- mills.
That's all nonsense" said Fred.
You get trade because you run your
boat on time, charge fair prices, and
deliver your freight in good order.
Who gives you business because you
drink and treat?'
"Tisn't SO much that, said he; "it's
a question Of reputation. How would
feel to go ashore at Pittsburg or Lou
isville or Cincinnati, and refuse Il
drink with anybody? Why, 'twould
ruin me. It's different with you who
don't have to meet anybody but relig
ious old farmers Besides, you've
just been married.
"And you've been ma arried for five
years" said Fred, with a sudden sense
of help at hand. How do you sup
pose your wife feels::"
Captain Crayme's jollity subsidized q
little, but with only little hesitation
he replied:
"Oh, she's used to it: she doesn't
mind it."
YOU'RE the only person in town
that thinks SO, Sam" said Fred.
Captain Crayme got up and paced
his little stateroom two or three times
with a face full Of uncertainty. At las,
he replied:
Well, between old friends, Fred,
don't think SO very strongly myself
Hang it! l wish I'd been brought VI
preacher, or something of that kind
so | wouldn't have had business ruin
ing my chances of being the right sor
Of a family man. Emily don't like
my drinking, and I've promised t.
look up some other business; but il
isn't easy to get out of steamboatinG
when you've got a good boat and
first-rate trade. Once she felt SO baG
about it that | did swear off-don'i
tell anybody, for Gods sake. but
did. l had to look out for my char
acter along the river, though; so
swore off on the sly, and played sick
I'd give my orders to the mates ant
clerks from my bed, in here, and theI