Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1894-07-30


we staggered through lively cross
sea, which made walking on deck a
very awkward business, and I spent
most of my time reclining in my COM
Portable deck chair.
1t now occurred to a number of pass.
engers that deck chair was the thing
of all others which they ought to have
brought on board. The scanty accom-
mediation of benches was inadequate
for those who wanted to lie down at
full length and ''sleep it off," and the
deck was not only no-sybaritic, but
offered Indifferent anchorage; those
who made their bed on the floor ex-
perienced n constant tendency to slip
and slide and roll as the Atlantic
wrestled with the waves. 1t would
not do.
Envious glances were cast at my
snug chair, which had moored in a
sheltered corner. Piratical attacks
were made upon that chair whenever l
ventured to quit it for moment. If
l took turn to stretch my limbs, or
went below for book or ali extra rug,
never failed to find on my return,
some interloping loafer ensconced in
my nest and pretending to be fast
asleep. [ stood good deal of this,
and in noble transport OF self-sacri-
flee wandered about like lost dog.
But 1 wouldn't stand it any longer.
And | didn't.
began to evict the intruder, at first
with great difficulty. ''Pray excuse
me! fancy you have mistaken your
chair" Then with less compunction !:
81 regret that l must disturb you; l
am not feeling very we'll" And later
without ceremony or remorse: "Now,
sir, my chai-, if you pleased"
1t came to this, that I got quite
'trusty," and acquired the habit of
folding up my chair whenever l left it,
affixing thereon notice "This chair
was brought on board for the owners
use. All others keep away" This
manifesto brought upon me great
deal of chaff, A petition was got up
requesting me to "take the chair" at
a meeting to be held for tho purpose
of denouncing monopolies. A hand
of young fools serenaded me with a
chorus OF "Chair, boys! chair He'll
sleep until tomorrow And there
were other attempts at fun almost as
feeble. They kept this up so persist
emily that, being out of sorts through
the rough weather, and also on ac-
count of the prolonged absence Of the
girl with the dark-gray eyes, I became
rs surly as bear.
On the sixth day the sea had gone
down a good deal aud the saloon ban
quets were being patronized. 1 re-
turned to the deck after capital
luncheon, with one of Clark Russell's
stories under my arm and | filled my
big pipe and meandered in the direc-
tion of my chair, intending to enjoy
myself thoroughly. Imagine my rage
when I found the chair absolutely
gone / rushed up and down the deck
until 1 observed that everybody was
bursting with laughter.
Suddenly, under the lee of the cap
tain's cabin, 1 came upon Millicent
Bradley. Her proud, gray eyes were
dim and lustreless, the full, firm con-
tour of the face was gone, and her
rich complexion had changed to putty
color. The self reliant mouth sank at
the corners, and was partly open, as if
she lacked the vital energy to press
her pall1d lips together.
As l stopped before her and stared
with astonishment and distress, she
opened her eyelids just another six
teenth of an inch and murmured in
the most die-away tone: ooh, Mr..
Franklin, I'm afraid I've got your
chair. Do take it Please take it %
OF course l was instantly at her side,
imploring her to keep the blessed
chair forever, to wear it for my sake
not that she showed the slightes.
disposition to give it up.
For three days waited upon her
hand and foot, helped her with deli.
cacies, told her funny stories-not
about seasickness-recited poetry to
her-my own, unpublished and-yes,
1 flirted with her.
And she? Oh it did her good
frightened her up amazingly. She
talked better than II photograph, and
we were all in all to each other. The
doctor was a bit of a nuisance, pre-
suming upon his medical privileges,
you understand; and the captain
pestered us; but got my grip, as we
used to say when rowed in the college
eight, and l pulled right through,
giving them my "wash" all the time.
And SO we drew nearer to Sandy
Hook; and although had to sit upon
q camp-stool while watched over her
in my lawful capacity of landlord of
the deck-chair, 1 never enjoyed cross
ing SO much in my life, and I've been
over the Atlantic about twenty times
on business.
But within days sail of New York
a disaster fell upon the ship, SO terri
flying, SO lurid, so indiscribably horri-
BILE, that you will think me incon-
sistent in declaring that it increased
my happiness hundredfold, and gave
me in one hideous moment oil the
concentrated JOY OF lifetime.
LII had como on to blow again. A