The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1893-06-11
THE SEVEN BELLS.

411G bL 1llN DLLIkCs
Every now'and then in overhaulins
literature seewheaae the old gophers are
still letting off loud bowls which make
me weary"
It was Mr.. Tokens, the marine, who
thus complained of the gophers and their
conduct in literature as he slowed his
timber leg under the mess table and
brought his hairy fat down ON the same
with athnmp that made the dishes dance.
The old gentleman hooked weary, a con-
dition the skipper remarked and which
cause Mr.. Skate, A. B., to wish he were
only half astired.
The Seven Bells club was in executive
session in the cabin of tho Anchor chop-
house, with Mr.. Tokens In the chair. He
had evidently been reading something
which did not agree with him. 1t was
seldom anything did meet his views, un-
less it were an invitation to drink, and
then he onlyconsented with apparent re-
luctance.
No one, not even tho inqvlisitive lub-
Der, Willie Bloke, ventured query re-
garding the old gophers until after tho
skipper had ordered bottle of rcd wine
with which to raft the rib steaks home.
Then the recognized head Of the organ
ization addressed Mr.. Tokens:
$50 the gophers are at it AGAIN. he
hazarded, thoughhe had not the pemotest
idea Of what the marine was driving at.
"They are always ut it, bowling
through the long and the dog watches
aud making all hands sick. II they
didn't have the boots or the bug juice,
why didn't they give an order on the
nearest store and let-us have peace?"
AIS Mr.. Tokens delivered himself of
this remarkable statement the club ex-
changed uneasy glanoes, and Willie Bloke
grew kale.
"GiNe him some seltzer or something"
he whispered to the skipper.
MAY I ask you, sir, what kind of lit
erature y.,u have been overhauling?" the
skipper ssnltly inquired. paying no heed
TO the lubb0r's agitation.
"The eavly logs of different states
history, I lNeAlieve they call it, which is
full of old gophers who could have
bought the lot where tho courthouse
now stands fcr pair of boots, or got a
ouitclaiin deed to the after end of Kan
sas for pint OF whisky. But they didn't
have the boots or the liquor, 80 they keep
Oh bowling"
'Hes all right" whispered the skip
per, greatly relieved. "Tve heard these
howls myself"
"They are driving express wagons now
OF loafng around in groceries" Mr.. Tok
ems went on, blowing their lungs out
telling how rich they would be if things
had been different That's what makes
me weary. 1t isn't the chances man
has In life, brit the way he hooks on and
uses his head and steering gear. You
never heard mesgrowling about the hard
luck that leftnlAstranded in nIyold age"
"Eaye you hadssome narrow aescapes~
asked the huber.
Escapes from whatT
''Being wealthy"
'Well, 1 should say I have. Boots,
modify blankets and beverages are no.
where, butit wasn't my fault A Junk
headed, chuckle Drained, tar tainted, ig-
norant,seaman blasted my hopes inlife. :"
And Mr.. Tokens broke forth into tor
rent of picturesque blasphemy that
would havo exhausted apirate's roper
tory.
'sThese hero remarks about ignorant
able seamen is swipe at me, | take it, "
said Mr.. Skate, rising and waving his
fists in the air.
Don't get choppy," cautioned the
skipper as he dragged Mr.. Skate back
into his chair. Let the man spin. You
amt the only able seaman alive"
Apologies followed, and then the ma
rine squared away on the course sug-
gested by the old gophers in literature
"a shipwreck that left me to starve on
adesert island would have made my pile,
but for this bull headed able seaman.
He's dead now and out Of the way. but
mysailing days are over since got this
leg" Here Mr.. Tokens pounded the leg
on the floor and did little more orna.
mental swearing.
1--WE were bound from Liverpool tc
Australia with general cargo when an
equinoxial gale ripped the canvas off us
and drove the ship ashore. The shiI
grounded in the night ON Sydney islanC
In the South sea, one of the Phmniy
group, located in longitude III degrees
% minutes west, latitude, 20 degrees
south, and all hands persisted but me an(
one able seaman. When daylight came
we found ourselves on desolate lagoon
island lying low on the horizon ant
leagues away from the track of naviga
ton. The hull Of the vessel, winch wa
an iron one, was piled up on tho beacl
with bales, barrels and boxes Of carg
that came ashore with the wreck.
'There was plenty to eat and drink
but the seaman wanted to lay righ'
down and die. kicked him a couple O.
times, but he sti1l wanted to die, so I Sc
off to explore the island. The ship
boats were ell gone, and knew we wer'
doomed so far as rescue was concerned
but 1 never let on to the seaman.
didn't take me long to make the circui
Of the island, and / found something tina
gave me an idea, and good one too"