The Democratic advocate., 1884-08-02
WESTMINSTER MD, SATURDAY, AUGUST 2, 1884

dition of the waterman's boat. He sat
ankle-deep in water, and as the ponderous
worthy stepped in, innumerable crevices
we're made apparent by little streams run
ming in.
ats cranky tub" said the old man,
in a complaining way, as Mr.. Brown took
up the sculls
"Well, what of that Amt yer nigh
ready for kingdom come? Them as knows
says it amt bad to be drownded. Yer
goes down with full stomach, anyways.
Yet the brawny arms pulled vigorously,
as though their owner had no mind to meet
with watery grave, .....
I'D rather not" said Daddy, family
whining, with his dim eyes fixed on the
swirling waters eddying about them.
The river was so eager and SO quick al
ways-just as ready to carry human body
out of reach as bottles, broken bits of wood,
and other coveted treasures. At this juno
ture, Daddy inconsiderately pulled the til
ler-rope, and slowed the boat round to the
stream. sa.a aa e..E5.r..
Course you !" said his employer, with
angry emphasis II amt goin' out with
the tide We'll be at Greenwich in five
minutes at this rate. IF yer don't behave
quiet, I'll not stand yer the drink
This threat seemed all powerful, Daddy
sat still as a wooden image, making no
further protest against drowning. Arrived
at the other side, the burly boatman at
tached his boat to ring, and, stepping up
some oozy boards, looked down on the old
man rocking on the stream.
eyer can bale her out bit, Daddy,
while I'm gone. There's tin mug some
wheers as 'ull do it. 1t 'ull pass the time,
and save yer from drownding. Ha! ha !"
But after Daddy had bailed good half
hour without any rest, his back began to
ache seriously. The dirty contents of the
boat were by this time considerably dimin-
ished, but the wages promised to him seemed
yet a good way off. 1t was very hot in the
sun, sheltered beneath the slaves of the
black wharf, where the smell of tar and
bilge-water was sickening The old mans S
lips and throat were parched, and the drink
whereof his friend had limited seemed ever
more desirable One thin hand stole into
his pocket After much diving, it brought
forth a coin. Daddy looked at it SORROW
fully, tnrning it over once or twice. 1t was
only halfpenny. No drink to his knowl-
edge, outside the fountains of benevolence,
could be obtained for that infnitesimal sum.
He sighed heavily, returning it to his pock-
et Then, with sudden and surprising
movement of vigor, he took up the battered
tin at his feet, and dipped it over the side
of the boat He brought it up full, and
looked at the contents before taking a long
draft of the muddy water
Here's to her health he said in a
Whisper it's her birthday"
Again he dipped it, and drank once
more to the very drcgs of the cup.
II can't be thirsty now," he mumbled,
with childlike smile, as though at having
worsted an enemy. With a sudden change
of mood, he lifted his face to the sky.
Almighty God, save me from drink one
day" Daddy did not look so old and de-
crepit when in that prayerful mind. Some
thing of life and energy animated his blear
eyes and Strengthened his bent head for a
moment.
Presently Mr.. Brown returned, putting
short black pipe and perspiring freely.
Come on now, old man I've had my
drink, and I'm game to treat yer. Hot or
strong, or cold or weak, as yer like it. The
Blue Bells is awaitin' the honor of yer
company"
One grimy fist was slowly Withdrawn
from the waterman's pocket, to assist Daddy
up the Shiny steps But the old man drew
back from the extended hand, shaking his
head with palsied motion, regarding all
the time the drops of water shining at the
bottom of the tin mug.
I'm not thirsty" he muttered, with
feeble resistance.
eyer amt dry? Since what o'clock :?
Bless US, that as new dodge! Have the
temp rance sergeants a-been listing of yer
since I've been gone? Very well; Tn not
a-goin' to press yer, and there amt no time
for man of my character to lose in argu-
flying. Well jest go home agen, and yer
shall have tuppence extra instead. Don't
yer never say as Bobby Brown is mean
skunk. Why, Daddy, old chap, if you'd
only be mod'rate, the liquor wouldn't do
yer no harm. | amt got much opinion of
Blue Ribbons myself. A poor man must
put summat inside hisself to keep him 60
ing. There amt nought like it for givin'
yer hearty feeling, when times is bad. +"
CHAPTER II.
1t is evening. The hour when in far
away rural scenes there is the hush of
peace and on-coming night. At this time
the lush grass in the pasture lands is sweet
smelling and dewy, and little wandering
airs carry about perfumes on their wings.
But here no peace reigns. The predatory
tribes round about Linnet Lane do not hold
with the night being a time for rest. 1t is
in the dark hours that their most profitable
labors, their most enjoyed pleasures, are
pursued.
The hot August air is tainted at all mo-
ments with evil odors in the latitude of the
riverside; but most of all does the vile filth
and corruption seem apparent when evening
breezes are doing their best to drive away
the vitiated atmosphere. No such light
breaths can purify these alleys and lanes.
Every den and dwelling is saturated with
noxious gases The effluvium and stencil
exhaled from cellars and reeking bars would
be unbearable to organs not well seasoned
to such denominations. But the fumes of
beer and spirits are happy antidotes against
over-nice perceptions, deadening the senses
imperceptibly. Only newcomers, unso-
phisticated to disease and drunkenness,
were aware that they breathed poisonous
atmosphere in these purlieus.
Daddy was past knowing this Tonight
repeated drains had so highly exalted his
spirits and weakened his observation of ex-
ternals, that he reckoned the lane and
neighboring slums a very paradise. His
mood was joyous, and in front of the chief
public-house in Linnet Lane he shouted,
sang and danced, to the amusement of a
company of rufians. Outsiders came drop
ping in from the street to spend their last
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