The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1891-04-10

gers"
"Oh, we can't be particular these
times" said the Captain. "There's NO
part OF the boat where Watkins wouldn't
stow people for the sake Of getting busi-
ness. I hope wen make as good time
Is We did coming down"
'sThere's no depending ON that ma
chine I" sstS ats~- - -sz,sE-s.s>y
"she looks pretty well nov. saie11le
Captain. Is
"Yes, Billy has polished her up pretty
bright" But he shook his head % he
spoke.
"Wcll, do your best, boys, to get her
through on time" said the Captain,
walking slowly away, coughing as he
went.
Promptly at the hour the start was
made. The complicated old engine
creaked aud strained rs its many parts
were nut i'm motion. Starr handled tho
engine. stood by ready to give assist
ance.
When VIC were off. never saw the
Occident engine work more smoothly.
With n good pressure of steam, the vari-
Gus parts click .clackcd mcrrily, and the
boat moved ahead at good rate.
stood the frs watch. Before Starr
retired, hc went /, hook fOr the Naviga-
ton Companys boat, but returned and
said that he coull not seen ten feet from
the guard.
About half an hour afterward I sat
down upon tho broad, cushioned seat
Ncsiac the hoy, keeriug my eye upon the
engine. There were rot many moments
during the whole trip when either Starr
or myself was not watching that engine.
"Pleasc, sir, how soon before we get
thcrc?"
The little girl was fast asleep, but the
boy was sitting bolt upright. They were
healthy looking children, poorly but
neatly dressed the little girl very pref
ty. with tanglc Of brown curls about
her flushed face ~ she lay asleep i'll the
corner.
"Whcrc are You going?' asked.
"To Seattle, aud we want to get there
awful quick, if you please, SIR"
whats your hurry2'l asked, amused
at the boys carn"stncSs.
"Mothcr hasn't seen Ally aud Inc for
more than four mouths" said he, cou-
IDENTIFY.
"IIow's that2" asked.
"Why, you see, father and mother
moved up to Seattle and left us with
grandma tin they got settled. We were
| ;,oin. 10y the other line"
"Wcrc you, indeed! And what
changed your minds?'
"Oh, the purscr met grandma on the
dock, and said he'd take care of us, and
he Just kind of run us on this boat. It:
good boat, isn't it?'
| smiled, knowing Hurry Watkins
way Of picking up passengers.
"And who's to meet you in ScattleT
"Oh, mother. Shes expecting us, aud
WON'T be far Off, guess. She said in
her last letter she was most crazy tc
| see me and Ally. My father he's got {
| Job ut fishing on the Sound. He's {
great fisherman. He's caught salmon sc
| long"
Tho boy stretched out his arms to
their utmost extent.
Just then Harry Watkins looked In
over the half-dcor.
|, ''Of all the nights ever saw on the
bcatcn, but It's notning to Sln.. ffuno'
How are the children getting along
fou ought to have seen how got thos,
two passengers! Their grandmother wa
bound to send them by the Navigation
boat; hut rushed her over to our ticLo
office, aud became personally rcsponsibI,
for the safe delivery cf those voune
| ones"
He eyed them solemnly as he spoke.
hcy put were stepping of lively to-
night, chf Navigation boit away be.
hind"
"fes, she's doing pretty well to-
night" | said, "but there's no tcllin,
how long it will last. She's very uucer,
tain"
"Well, I'll relieve you of these chill.
dr"n now, Billy; and much Obliged for
taking care of en-. But what I'm TO dc
with the youngsters | don't know.
They've sccond-class tickets, ONLY,
don't like to turn them i'm with thai
crowd"
"."avc them hcrc," said. "I'n be
on duty till we got 20 Sea - It's a pity
to disturb the little girl, and there's room
enough for the boy to sleep on the seat
They won't be in my wuy.'
"All right" said he, ''I'n Just make
pIiI"w for the little g,rl, and settle the
hoy right"
lie opened the door and came in. In
few minutes he had arranged q very
comfortahl" hc,l :y1 Du;ii.
"oh, I'm used to it," he said. "I'm
the oldest of II family of nine. This is
the most comfortable place in the boat" "
81 wouldn't like to have ANYTHING
happen to these children, said the purser.
seriously, pausing Il. the door. ~ dom,
Know what makes me feel SO, but III
never take the responsibility of doing
anything like this again. It's all right !
for people who voluntarily take thei,
chances with us, but to force children,
with no one in particular TO look after
them, on board this boat, is an~.A--
>>->--o.' |
watkins went away, glancing back a.
the children.
In short tine the boat settled down
INTO comparative 0uiet The ch,ttor;,, |