The morning call., 1894-03-18

leave. The officers knew of BrydeiPs
affection for Grub, and he had no fl
cultv in getting off when they knew where
he wished to 60
Walking rapidly along the street from
the wharf, whom should Brydell almost
run over but Admiral Beaumont with
Billy Bowliue. as always rolling along
behind him.
Great Jupiter" shouted the admiral,
II was just thinking about you, boy
Where are you going in such hurry ?"
Going TO see poor Grub, sir. an
sWered Brydell. shaking hands with the
admiral and nodding p easantly to Billy
Bovine. And then. with the admlraPs
hand upon his shoulder. standing in the
narrow, fast-darkening street, Brydell told
of Esdaile's disgrace and of the terrible
blow it was to poor Grub. His story was
punctuated with explosions of wrath from
the admiral such as Infamous cad, the
boy! Shoot me, but I'd like to get that
young villain on a ship of mine! Why
didn't YOU lick him. sir? Why didn't you
lick him when you found the rascal ou:?
Poor old Grubb-one of the best men L
ever knew-ten good men like him will
keep a whole ships company in order"
DIZZY DON1lllt iuNlAHdllOll NoN SApAFoSOtt
be sunGry sn0rts, shifts and angry hitch
fngs-up of his trousers. but was not the
less emphatic because not expressed in the
admraPs vigorous language.
Come along, sir" cried the admiral,
when Brvdel had finished his brief ac-
count I'm going TO see Grub with you"
The admiral mounted the rickety stairs
with his quick step, as alert as BrydelPs.
d Cd l,ol
he whispered to Brydell
"There Amt no love lost between sailors
and irenes, and Grubb he were the best
jrene l ever see, but don't reckon as how
he keers about seem sailor men when he is
in trouble"
After knocking at the door the admiral
and Bryden entered Grubb's little room.
By the light of the small lamp they could
see him distinctly, and he looked more
gaunt, more sshy and nearer death than
lhe evening before. But be was feebly
delighted to see them.
"How's this, Grubb?" BEGAN the admiral
in bis "Quarterdeck voice" You must
get up. You must get well. You we're
the best orderly l ever had and it never
occurred to me that you intended to get out
of the service like this"
"ThanKee, sir, for your good opinions"
answered Grubb. light ap caring in his
sunken eyes, ''but can't git we'll"
Nonsense, nonsense. You've had trou-
BILE with your boy-but you must bear up
bear up. sir"
"Ah. sir. askin' your pardon, you don't
know what it is 10 have trouble with your
own fiesh and blood. Icouldn't abear 10 be
p'nied out as Grub, the feller whose son
wass drove out his class for lynn Pm a
plain man. sir. and maybe that's why
hold on 10 be respectable so hard-I amt
got nnthin' else. | didn't think, though
wit I
my mind IN a minute to git out O. the
corps and take off this uniform as / re-
spects and loves. But didn't think to fall
down in the street. and | know I've got
shock as I'll never get over" The admiral
could not but believe him.
For three or four davS Brydell and the
admiral went TO see Grub regularly, and
so did DR.. Wayne, and it was plain 10 the
most experienced eve that the marine was
travelling fast out of this world. AT last.
one evening about the usual hour OF dusk,
when Brydell went in the room, he saw
that Grubb had started on the great jour
ney. His face was slightly flushed and his
ewes bright. and occasionally his mind
would wander.
''Pve been a-waitin' for you, Mr.. Bry-
del" he cried in weak voice. There's
two things al | want DONE One is. ! want
you to git that little Bible out O. my haver-
sack hanging up yOnder and read them
promises about them as believes In Jesus
Christ shall live though they die. And the
other is to put my bes: unifJrm on me.
You see. sir, something's goin' to happen:
it's inspection, seems to me, but my head
amt cleaT-yes, it's a inspection, sure.
And Private Grub amt never been re-
ported at inspection in twenty-four. goin'
on twenty-five years, as long as I've been
In the service"
Don't you think you'd better wait until
the doctor comes, Grubb?" asked Brydell
soothIngly.
Lord, no, sir Tve got to be on time
there's the bugle now, sT'-and indeed
faint echo of the bugle came through the
open windows from the Constellation lying
out In the harhOr half a mile away. He
was so insislent that Brydell went to the
closet and took out a new private's uniform
that hung there. He brought IL to the bed
and laid it down. Grub began to finger
t-and his face changed and his manner
Gained.
u know what It's. sir" he said. ut
no inspection here on earth I'm in for-lt's
inspection by the Great Captain as 10
how we've did our duty But all the same,
Mr.. BFydell. | want this here uniform on
because always said | wanted o die in
It. Howsomever, do you think It's right
as l might get my discharge papers any
day-for me to be weariu' it, and bein'
buried in ii ?''
Il don't believe anybody in the world
would call it wrong, Grubb."
well, sir, Pm glad to hear you say that.
1t does seem hard. if after I've served
iwenty-fo goin' on twenty-five years.
Pm to die and be buried like plain tel, =
And I'd like Won 10 ask the admiral al how
If / couldn't have the right sort of a
funeral; you know we give it to old Capps.
amt set on the band particular but |
want the flag on my coffin, and | want to
be carried on gun carriage. Now, will
you ask the admiral all about this ?"
~ es." said Brydell, in a trembling voice.
Then holding Grubb up by main force he
managed to get the uniform Oh him, tie
poor fellow helping feverishly and showing
UNEXPECTED strength. When at last il was
done Brydell got the thumbed Bible and
read 10 him those promises of comfort to
the dying.
That's it, that's it. Mr.. Brydell LIES
a sort OF puzzle 10 me. | don'i know
were my boy got his bad ways from-and
I'm afraid he won't git over 'eu-but If
ever you have chance. want you to be-
friend him for he sake OF poor old
Grubb. Ha! Ha! What funny little
shaver you werci l can see you low, sir.
the day | grabbed you for tearing up the
turf al the nayy-yard, and the way You
banged away at me with that little rife"
He was getting excited and bppiuninp