The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1893-06-03

eic ASiltIuldu uHDutlOHeu the Straps Oh
his waders at the thigh, and sat down
to unlace his brogues.
Here he said, 'spull'em off for me-"
He held up his leg, and the convict
pulled off his wet fishing stockings.
He drew them on, and the fisherman
kicked h brogans toward him. In
exchange the convict handed him his
shoes.
Am l to wear these".' the fisherman
asked, with something in his voice that
might ave been amusement.
"Yes-they're a little out of shape.
I'm afraid. The queen is no judge Of a
shoe"
Il guess not" answered the other.
lacing.
There was a little silence.
Il suppose" said the convict, with a
curious eagerness, that you have seen
q bit of the world"
"Here and there" answered the
other, searching for the return half of
his ticket.
SHOULD you think, nov, that a girl
would wait four years for a chap who,
in the eyes of the world was not worth
waiting for??"
The fisherman, not being an absolute
fool, knew hat there was only one
answer to this. But he was a kind
hearted man. SO he told a lie. There
vas something about this convict that
made him do it.
Yes, l should think she would.
Girls are not always rational, l guess"
The other said nothing. He took the
macintosh coat and the creel and the
rod case without a word, even of
thanks. His manner We're brisker, as
if the anglers lie had lone him good.
The change of costume was now
complete, and the convict would pass
anywhere for an innocent disciple of
Izaak Walton.
For a moment they stood thus, look
ing at each other. Then the convict
spoke.
Can you lend me a fver??" he asked.
'0h, yes"
Carelessly opening his purse, and dis
playing a good number of bank notes,
he passed one to the unsteady hand
held out.
want any more??" he asked. with a
queer laugh.
I'm take another if you spare it. "
A second note was passed from hand
to hand.
Thanks" said the convict. "Now
tell me your name and address. l shall
want to send these things back to you
tiff | have any luck"
And the effort to steady his voice was
quite apparent
caleb S. Hardness, United States
frigate Bruiser, now lying at Plym-
outh," replied the other, tersely.
"Ah. you are an Americana
THAT is why I don't care a hang for
your laws"
"Mr. Harkness-or what?!"
I'm her captain" he replied, mod
estly.
They shook hands and parted.
1t was only as he plodded along the
Tavistock road, limping in the regula
ton shoes, that the American remem
bered that he had quite omitted to ask
the convict any questions. He had
parted with his macintosh, and it was
pouring.
Yet he regretted nothing, and al
times a queer smile fitted over his
c~ountenance. He was a man holding
very decided views of his own upor
most subjects, and no one suspected
him of it, because he never sought te
force them upon others.
What he loved above all in men was
that species of audacious and gentle
manly GOODNESS which is found il
greater perfection in the ranks of the
British aristocracy than anywhere elst
in the world.
Two days later he received his wa
ders, macintosh and brogues, also ;
new fishing rod of the very best quality
made in England and two fve-pount
notes.
Caleb S. Hardness in due course ros,
as high as he conveniently could in thu
navy active and turned his attention te
the navy passive, which latter means
nice little house in Washington and tn.
open arms of the best society in tina
enlightened city.
Thus in six years time we find Calel
!, S. Hardness moving, not in the bed o
an English trout stream, but in the la]
of Washlngtonian luxury.
1t was a great night in the govern
ment city, for England had sent one o
her brightest stars to meet the lumi
naries of the United States in peaceful
arbitration. The British plenipoten
tiary had not yet been seen of the mul
t titude, but he was the eldest son of
British earl, and had a title of his own
= That was enough for Washington
/ with some to spare for Boston and New
York.
t Also he had proved himself equal t.
two American statesmen and their re