The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-09-20

strings. However, l accepted the job by
wire, having walked four miles to a tele-
my right of ownership in the feet to secure
me a courteous reception. One of the Off
GERS of the Chicago was a school mate Of
mine. I remembered him we'll. He used
to sit right in front of me. One day he
concealed a large, old-fashioned horse
pistol in his desk. and while was bending
s%tudiously over my lessons-for the first
time in six months-he turned stealth!ly
about, placed the cold muzzle of the pistol
on my nose, and pulled the trigger.
The weapon was not loaded, but / should
have felt better if it had been. for then
there would have been some excuse for my
conduct. foil over the back of my seat,
and tainted upon the bosom of a fat little
girl who didn't speak to me for three weeks
afterward. although our previous relations
had been very tender. I always knew that
that boy would live to be a pirate,
When the squadron anchored of Belfast,
Clam Cove decided to visit en- masse. We
engaged Uncle Jimmy Gray's fishing boat,
and set sail about noon of Tuesday, Sep
TENDER 9. Our party consisted of five men,
seven women, nine children, n a large
box of toling bait. This substance. which
is very seductive to mnckerel, is made of
CLANS and porgies, chopped fine, and ripened
by great age. Few people really like its
odor on tie fist trial. In acquiring an ap-
probation of it one would better begin at
I've miles. and gradually decrease the dis
lance. l began at five feet, and finished the
voyage on the end of the bowsprit.
Uncle Jimmy wanted to run his boat
right up to the Chicago's gangway, but the
courtesy Of the United States navy has its
limits. A marine, armed with a a musket,
and protected by q bad cold, came down
the steps and told us that if we didn't take
that porgie bait down to leeward of the
ship, the admiral would train an eiRht-inch
gun on us. Ws came about and ran for
Belfast, where / deserted the party. and
hired a man with a row boat to set me off
aboard the Chicago.
An obliRing tar carried my card to my old
friend, whom l will call Bob. wrote
something about old times on the card, just
as we all 90 when wS're trying to get favors
on the slender pretext of l~ong-buried AMI
mostly. While it was being taken to him
] waited bv tho rail. III idn't seem worth
while to poke around by myself, for of
course Bob would show mo everything
when he came.
I never should have known him. How is
it that some PEOPLE change with years
while others can't to save their lives. 1t al
ways exasperates ms to meet anybody who
has changed. He always has such an Of
fensive way of recognizing me; and of be-
ing reminded at once of some old scene
where l looked $50 funny"
"Well, well,'' said Bob, "it's the same old
Howdy; the same long-sparred, queer
rugged, rambling old Howdy. I should
know you anywhers-that hnir, those feet.
Well, we'll, Pm glad to see you. Come
below, old man. whore We can sit down and
be comfortable.'
"But I want"
II know, / know, you want to talk over
old times, and 80 do I. Here we are; this is
nv den."
We had dccended into the depths of the
ship. and had evidently reached the quar-
ters of the officers. Bob. without giving
me time TO say q word, pushed me into a
stateroom, closed the door behind us and
dropped into Il chair. l did the same,
though | began to be uneasy about my
errand which was to see the vessel
thoroughly.
1T wsa my idea began.
"Yes. indeed" he broke in; sit WAS your
idea to have a little quiet, social chat. l
should have guessed il without seeing what
you wrote on your card. J. should have
said, Howdy isn't the sort of fellow who
wants to 30 running all over a vessel. look
ing at things he doesn't understand, and
hearing somebody who doesn't understand
them lie about their uses. He's the same
old loafer he always was, and would rather
sit down quietly Rnd smoke and talk
but I'm afraid"
"Oh no." no FASTENED to say, don't dis
turb yourself. l have plenty Of leisure.
Seven bells just struck-halt-p past three,
you know-and don't 20 OH duty till four.