Fort Worth weekly gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1889-09-19


mentally tried to reduce the distance be-
tween the men S bathing place and tn
spot where the machine had stood, but
mere argument viii not reduce $50 yards
by single inch and he had 10 give It up
in despair.
AS he lay on his back vaguely watch
ing the gIistening sea from under the
brim of his hat, he saw one of the few
remaining bathers swim out to the guard
boat, which still lowered about, and
climb into it by means of short fight OF
steps attached by hooks to the stern.
For some moments he stood like bronze
statue in dark relief against the CLEAN
ing eXpanse beyond him, and then
bringing his hands together he plunged
into the water and temporarily vanished.
Mr.. Padger sprang to his feet as if he
had been stung by lurking scorpion.
Rapidly he measured with his eye the
distance between the boat and the i'm
pOrtant spot 1t could not be more than
one hundred yards, say one hundred and
ten TO be safe, and even then, though
unusual, it was no longer impossible.
His theory was once more brought within
the bounds OF reason.
He waited about with growing impa-
tience, until the last bather had left the
water, the last machine had been hauled
up high and dry, and then at length he
saw with delight the old boatman make
for the little pier and prepare to lay up
his boat for the day.
Hastily he turned his steps in the same
direction, and managed to meet the
bronzed and siIver-haired old tar just as
he was leaving.
Warm day, - remarked Mr.. Padger
genially.
"Aye, sir, - replied the sailor.
DRY work that of yours, - continued
Mr.. Padger.
cit is that
perhaps you would like wet?''
''Were you thinking of standing one?'
asked the old man, with the habitual
caution of his class.
~ was, said Mr.. Padger
"Lor low 'ee!' said the man with
much alacrity; 81 haint the one to stand
in your light then. -
In a few minutes they were seated in
the sanded parlor of a small public
house, and provided with a tankard of
excellent ale apiece.
''Rather dull work yours, isn't it?''
said Mr.. Padger, after the man had
taken a long draught and smacked his
lips approvjngly.
ooh, no, sir, - he said. SIT ain t
half so bad as 1t might be. Lots of 'em
comes to dive off of my boat, and they
likes a crack wi old Griggs. they do. -
81 suppose some of them come pretty
- suggested Mr. Padger.
"Some on 'em comes pretty reg lar,
as you say, sir, and others again comes
once or twicet, and then never comes
again. -
''You get to know the regular ones
pretty well don t you?''
"Oh, yes, I knows some of 'em.
There's Mr.. Trevanion; he's a nice
gentleman, he is. And Mr. Garner,
he's another And the old man
wandered off into long-winded dIqusi-
ton upon the merits and dement's of his
regular acQuaintanceS.
''Do yOu remember the day of the
enqured Mr. PadGer, who
despaired of getting the information he
wanted by roundabout methods.
Remember it! l amt likely to forget
it in a hurry. That wer' a Tummy start,
that verb
''You had lots of divers that day, II
GA goodish few, expecs.
did you notice anybody in particular
that day?''
NOW, l can It say as l did -
s'See If you can It remember. -
''Well, there was one gentleman, come |
to think of it, - said the salt, when his /
had been refreshed by the re-
of his tankard.
"'What about him?''
HE wore such q funny foreign looking
bathing dress, more like a lady's. A
body he had to it, if you IL believe me, |
ike a sailors jersey without sleeves.
And IN tell yer another queer thing
about him, he had pockets in his
''Pockets! said Mr.. Padger.
THAT s rather unusual, ism t it?'
81 never seed such a thing afore. I
;houldn t had noticed it then, but he
stood looking about good bit afore he
lived, a-lOokIEg out like, and he KEEP his
lands in them.
''Stood about, did he? said Mr.. Pad
yer thoughtfully.
'Ah, that he did. Seemed as if he
,ouldn t make up his mind to go i'll and
ret it over. Sorter watching and spying
uneasy like.
what time was that?'' asked Mr..
badger eagerly.
''Time? All, that $ more n l can tell
-ou
''Was it before, or after one?"
''Can t say, l IN sure, said the sailor
"'But he did dive, suppose, i" said
fr. Padger.
"Oh yes, he Owed, and very nicely he
i'd it, too.
q" Now, look here, - said Mr. Padger
arnestly, II want you to tell me one
hing, but be sure you think well first
bid you see him come up again?''
&" Did I? - said the old man, scratch
ng his head, with puzzled air. 81
isremember Did /? NO!' he ex-
laimed suddenly, - didu't est at
hat moment q lady screamed, and 1
owed off. She thought she had the
ramp, but she hadn't -
"'What was this gentleman like?''
''Like? Like gentleman. -
SHOULD you know him again?'
90 We'll 1 do know l should know his
athng dress anywheres, - said the man
18th grin.
land the Iady?''
''Oh l should know her She was
mart little craft
Gwen, - said Mr. Padger, rising to
o, you keep your eyes open for that
Idly and gentleman. / will come round
gain in few days, and if you can give
lie any news of them, III give you half