The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1896-02-01
IN BORROWED PLUMES.
py w. W. JACOBS.
Copyright, iSSa,}
pART 1.

board. with the exception OF iahe boy,
whom nobody troubled about,cere full
o. Joy as,.ie circumstance. Twice be-
fore had the skipper, whose habits
might, perhaps, be hest described %
irregular. missed his ship. AMI word
had gone forth that the third time
would be the last, His berth was a
good one, and the mate wanted 1t in
place of his own, which was wanted by
Ted Jones, A. 3, 81
1.-TWO hours more" said the mate.
apxt1usly, to the men as they stood
lcr6lng against the side, and take
the ship out"
"under two hours'n do It." said Ted,
peerlng over the side and watching the
water as n slowly rose over the mud
'tWhat's rot the old man, wOnder?"
~ don't know and don't care said
she mats. "you chaps stay by me,
and It'll be good for all OF US Mr.,
Pearson said distinctly the INST time
that Il the skipper ever missed hts snip
again Il would be his last trip In her.
and he told me afore the old man that
] Naan4 TO walt two minutes ut any
time. hut bring her out right away,
"Hes an old FOOL" said Bill Loeb. the
other hand; 'Nand nobody'll miss him
but the boy. an he's been looking reg
liar worried all the morning. He look
ed SO worried Ut dinner time that !
give Tim kick 10 cheer him up bit,
Look at him now"
The mate gave q stipcrcillous glance
in the direction OF the boy. and then
turned away. The boy. who had NO
idea of counting observation. slowed
himself away behind the wlndlass, and,
talking a letter from his pocket, pc
rused Il for the fourth time.
"DEAR T0AFMY."-t beSnn-1
take my pen In and to inform you that
line staying here and can't SIT away
for the reason thHt lorSt mi cloes ut
cSibage larst night. Lost my money,
and everything beside. Don't Speek TO
a living sole about II as the mate
wants my birth. but pack up sum cloes
and bring them to me without saying
nuthIng to nobody. The mates cloes
will do becos haven't got emmy other
SCOT, don't tell I'm, You incident trou-
BILE about soks as I've got them left.
Ny he'd Is 50 bad mtfSt now eon-
clnde. Your affeotionate uncla and cap
tin Joe Bross, P. S. Don't let the mate
see you come, or else he won't let you
go
Two hours more" sighed Tommy,
as he put the letter back In his pock-
ct. "How can get any clothes whep
they're all locked up?' And GuhS aaia
I was to hook after I'm and see he
didn't git Into no mischief"
he sat thinking deeply, and then as
the crew OF the Sarhh Jane stepped
ashore TO take advantage Of a glass
Offered by the mate, he crept down 70
the cabin again for another desperate
look around. The only articles or
clothing visible belonged 70 Mrs.
BroSs, who. up to this trip. had been
sailing In the schooner to look after It's
master. At these ne gaEed hard.
"I'Il take EN- an try am swop EN- for
some mems clothes," said he. suddenly.
scratching the garments from the pegs.
"she wouldn't mind" and hastily roll
ing them In d parcel together with a
pair OF carpet slippers OF the captains,
thrust the lot into an old biscuit bag,
Then he shouldered his burden, and.
going cautiously on deck, gained the
shore, and set OF at trot to the nd-
dress Furnished In the letter.
II was long way, and the bag was
heavy. His first attempt to barter was
lust been cautioned by the police, was
in such a severe and uncomfortable
state OF morals, that the boy hastily
snatched up his bundle again and left.
Sorely troubled, he walked hastily
along, until IN small by,street his
glance fell upon a baker of mild and
benevolent aspect standing behind the
counter Of hts shop.
'If you please. SIR" said Tommy,
entering and deposltlng his bag on
the counter, "haVe you any cast-oft
clothes you don't want?''
The baker turned to a shelf. and, Sc
lectlng stale loaf, cut II in halves,one
OF which he placed before the boy.
II don't want bread" said Tommy,
despernteiy;"but mother has lust died,
md father wants mourning for the tu-
neral. He's only got new suit with
iEris and II ne can't change these
'thLngs of mleher's for an old suit, he'll
sell his best ones TO bury with"
He shook the articles out on the
counter, and the bakers wife, who had
just come Into the shop, inspected them
rather fayDrdbiy.
Poor boy, 50 you lost your motherl%
she said, turning the clothes over. IT'S
good skirt, Bill"
"Yes. mann" said Tommy, doIe-
fully.
baker.
fully, mentioning the only disease he
knew.
yelled the baker, pushing the clothes
on the floor and following his wife %
the other end Of the shop Take en-
tFlIlNNyNlp
His voice was so loud, his manner so
imperative, that the startled boy,with-
out stopping TO argue, stuffed the
clothes pell.mell into the bag again
and departed. A farewell glance al
the clock made him look almost as hor-
rlnSa as the baker.
'rhercs no time to be lost" he NUT.
tered, as he began 10 RIM. Either the
old mani have to come in these, or
else stay where he Is"
He reached the house breothless,and
paused before an unshAven man In
tImc-worn greasy clothes, who was
smoking short clay pipe With much
enjoyment In front OF the door,
lis Capt. Bross here?' he painted.
He's upstairs" said the man, with
len. sitting In snckcloth and ashes
more ashes than Snckcldth. Have you
got some clothes for hln?'
Look here" saId Tommy, He was
down on his knees with the mouth OF
the bag open again, Qititc In the styls
OF hte practical hawkcr. give me an
old suit OF clothes for them. Hurry
up! There's n lovely froekl"
"BIlmey," said the mnn,staring. 'l'ye
only got these clothes. Wot dyer take
me for? a dook?'
'Well, get me some somewhere, said,
Tommy. 'i6you don't the cap'n'ii have
to come In these, and I'm sure he won't
like It."
II wonder what he'd look lllse?" said
the man. with n grin. Hang me IL 4