Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1889-02-08

1t was just neat. don't you know. And
then there was the little Irish American.
He, after snarling and quarreling half
the night, got kicked out of the cabin and
came up on deck, where we, who couldn't
stand the atmosphere downstairs. We're
trying in vain TO get a little warmth and
comfort by budding together round the
funnel. And it was cold-oh, how cold
it was, with strong hail storm beating
on US, and the waves washing over the
bows of the boat every minute. | don't
believe any Of US had ever been so miser-
able forlorn. or thoroughly wretched in
all our lives before. know have never
felt quite like that since.
We'll. this little chap came up to the
group. peering into every face as well as
lie could for the lurching of the vessel
and the unsteadiness of his own standing.
At last. however he stopped opposite
to me-
"'Come an ave drink he said.
We'll, didn't dare refuse, for l was
only youngster. and didn't see the force
of letting him use his bowie knife or his
six shooter for my benefit. So looked
up and said-'IIave a drink-oh-er-
where is it TO be got!'
Steward has IT, he answered, with
an uncertain kind of wink. Steward says
I'm drunk-won't serve me. You go and
get the whisky1steward can't say you re
drunk AN wen drink it together
II didn't dare refuse him, so l got up;
but in trying to follow me the little
American happened to fall foul of a
Scotch woman with a very large family
of children under her garments, like
chickens under a hens wings. OF course
she went for him tooth and nail, and
eoundly belabored him. and l took the OPP
portunity of just slipping round the other
side Of the funnel and sitting down in
the came place as l had been before. And
then, when he had gathered himself up
end apparently been all round the ship in
pursuit of me. he came back, trying to
peer into our faces SO as to identify me
again, and take me along for the drink
However, happily he was too drunk, or
too sleepy or something. to be sure OF
me, and the old Scotch lady stood my
friend and warned him against getting
too near to her; SO, at last, he seemed to
get sleepy all at once, and he just rolled
himself under hand barrow or a hand
truck and went off to sleep. l believe"
said Beautiful Jim, solemnly. THAT if we
had known he was dying we were all to
Ill and frozen and miserable ourselves to
have moved so much as q finger to help
him. Not, all the same. that he seemed
il the smallest danger, for ne slept Sc
renely on. and snored away as happily as
possible
However, when morning came and we
found ourselves alongside of the quay,
some Of the ships people came along and
fshed him ont; and if you'll believe me.
Miss Earle, he was so petrified he couldn't
stand-couldn't move hand or foot"
But alive?" she asked.
ALIVE? Oh, yes. And they stuck him
up with his back against the funnel to
get melted; and presently heard him say
to himself, in sleepy sort of tone:
IAN bedad, I've got an ah-ful crick
| in me neck"
And how did you get on after?"
'Oh. as fine as possible-and when we
| got to Dublin we found only first and
second class in the train; but they took US
second class. and said never q word, and
| we got home and thought no more about
it; but, by that same token, it was an
awful night. the worst I've spent in all
my life"
1t would not be easy to say how deeply
interested Miss Earle was-so much so, in
fact, that she forgot oil about the letter
and the unfortunate slip.
That's very fine story" she said,
with fattering air of appreciation, as
she lay ut ease in the big chair and idly
watched the tennis players on the lawn
before.
| "Ah! little thought ! should ever
have the heart to make o story out of my
misery" said he, with laugh; but, oh,
Miss Earle, I'm afraid you're frightfully
thirsty and hungry. Ihave kept you an
unconscionable time listening to all my
old yarns. Do come and have some leo
or cup or something"
MISC Earle said at once that she should
like g cup Of tea, SO they sauntered down
to tho tea table. and he ministered to her
needs. So their pleasant chat came to an
end. Others joined them as they ate their
strawberries. and Miss Earle was peremp
torily ordered to complete set of tennis
players. and in vain did she try to get out
Of It.
MY dear, you must play" said the
deans beautiful daughter, with kind in
good. and viii give up for anybody; but
determined you shall not DO done out
81 It,"
"Well, let me finish my tea, Nancy en-
treated; and Beautiful Jim thought,
though hc hardly know why. that she
would much rather have stayed where she
WlS. and. Of course, have talked to him
However. SIZE had to 60. and Beautiful
Jim. left to himself, finished q very sub
stantial repast and looked round for some
one to talk to. Mrs. Trafford was still
sitting where she had been when he en-
tered the garden, but she was alone now
Lady Margaret having moved away t
speak to other guests. He made his wa,
to her at once.
MRS. Traford. wouldn't you like t
have turn round the gardenf" he asked
II would much rather have cup O
tea. she replied. laughing.
!, Jim gave her his arm at once, and yer,
quickly settled her in . comfortable chair
with some claret cup and . plate o
strawberries Then he pulled anothe
chair near to It for himself. and prepared
to have . good time and enjoy it:
"What is the news, Mrs. Traffordf" b.
asked-everybody went to Mrs Traffort
for the latest news in Blankhampton.
WELL" she said. - she dipped . straw
berry into the little pile Of sugar upol
|. her plate. ''the corporation are going t.
take the terrace away from all thes
Awful shame" murmured Beautiful
Jim. to whom Blankhampton Deaner,
was merely pleasant but passing oasi
in LIES desert. and not . permanen
} Mecca. Is it was to the parish set.
And the dean says IL they do he'll loci
up the Deanery Close and make . privat,
} garden Of thatl But they know vel
enough that he will never have the hear
to shut the children out just to spite tn
corporation"
, well, it would be rough on the liell
, beggars." said he mo, shouldn't thinl
the dean would be the sort to do that"
mot he: it Isn't in him, and the cor
Poration people know it-and act upon it
Still it will be great shame If they con
trive to destroy the privacy Of all thes
: gardens. for nothing Is 20 unpleasant q
being overlooked in that way. OF cours
you know that Miss Antrobus is going t,
be marriedY' she said. with q quicl
change Of tone.
Beautiful Jim edged step nearer.
mo: indeed did not. And who is tn
mann"
IAN old admirer; man who has beef
In love with her for years-for YEAEsl
answered Mrs. Trnfford. unconsciousl,
slipping into Mrs. Hugh Antrobus' gran,
and inflated style of speaking. Il tol'
Mrs. Antrobus that I hoped she would b
very happy. for happiness in marriage i
such an important consideration. An,
she said: oh! dear, yes. Mr.. Mandari.
Is quite the right husband for Polly. Lii
devotion has been marvellous, and Ii
has loaded her-simply loaded her-witl
valuable presents"
Mandarin What a queer name" sail