Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1891-01-09

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could not obtain of the Samoans.
only one OF the Chinese condescend-
ed to sell cocoanuts, whereby he won
the contempt Of his countrymen,
who thought such petty business
only fit tor the uncivilized natives.
At 3 O'Clock the active discipline
of the ship was resumed, and the
peddlers packed up their traps and
departed. As the last one went over
the side the captain, who had hither-
to occupied n post from which he
could see all that was going on, gave
n sigh of relief and started to go to
| his cabin.
On the steps he came into violent
contact with sailor, who immedi-
| ately turned and ran. The captain
FASTENED after him, caught him by
the arm, and cried:
MAN, you have been drinking
don't deny it; l saw it at n glance"
No answer.
"Will you speak or not? Where is
the liquor"
Nowhere, captain"
"Then you deny that you are
drunk? Good | will soon prove that
you are. March to the hospital.
There was no escape. The captain
escorted the culprit to the hospital
between decks, where patients and
nurses sprang up in surprise when
they saw the commander.
Nurse, tell the surgeon to come
here at once"
AYE, aye, captain"
The surgeon appeared and was as
touded by the question:
doctor, is this man drunk?"
THAT can not say at n glance.
'Then examine him, and quick v"
The young Esculapius looked into
the patients" eyes, felt his pulse,
and laid his hands on his temples.
But the mans breath happened to
reach his nostrils md lett him in no
doubt that the captains suspicious
were well founded.
The surgeon knew how severe the
captain could be in such case and
tried to shield the man from punish
ment
81 can not determine with certain
ty, captain" said he.
"Hol Then will show YOU how
to do so, although am no physi-
elan. Pay attention, doctor"
Then, turning to the sailor, he
cried: "Stand stillr'
The man set his teeth and stood
like n post.
arms forward. elbows raised, fin
ger tips together
''Do YOU see, doctor, how he rocks?
His fingers tremble so that he can
not keep them together. That is an
infallible sign OF intoxication. The
physicians may not know it, but |
do. and tell you the man is drum k"
The ship rolls" groaned the poor
wretch. who was now swaying like a
reed.
"No; the ship is quiet enough, but
you roll Where is the liquor,
man.
Il don't know. captain"
Such storm followed this answer
that the sick men LETT their beds and
crawled away in terror. but the sail
or obstinately denied his guilt and
would not eXtort u confession.
The man was set Mt liberty, Tor the
captains sense of justice would not
permit the punishment of one whose
guilt was not proved.
But | will get to- the bottom of
this matter yet" said the captain as
he went off to his cabin
But II week later the memory OF
this occurrence was driven ont of the
minds OF the captain and the ships
company 10y an event of far grea ter
Importance. The Venus, which had
c:used for two years in the Pacific,
was ordered home. The people of
Apia were much grieved, for the
blue Jackets had spent n great deal
OF moneyin the place, and the island
ers had come to regard the ship as n
permanent source OF revenue.
The peddlers drove thriving bust
nsss during the lew remaining DAYS.
The sailors bought writing paper to
send home word OF their approach
ing return and laid in a stock of to-
bacco ard cocoanuts Tor the voyage.
One purchased gay mat for moth
er's best room, another grinning
idol for curiosity-loving uncle, and
u third bought red silk kerchief for
his sweetheart, who was awaiting
him in happy ignorance OF his flirta-
lions with the chocolate colored
damsels of Samoa.
The readiest sale, however, was
commanded by the cocoanuts. and
the captain was pleased to see that
his men were so fond of this refresh
ing and innocent fruit. He was
much astonished co hear the Chinese
cocoanut seller demand half dollar
apiece for the nuts.
"Half dollar?" cried u sailor.
"fou must be crazy, my lad"
Not TOO muchee," insisted the |
celestial "Lookee here, large one"
The dispute, which was carried on
in choice mixture of Plattdeutsch
and pigeon English, ended by the I
Chinnman accepting quarter OF u
dollar tOr no cnpnnni1t