The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-03-11

| thetic Interruptions of these listeners
| Chrissie recounted her experience, while
| the boatswain, despite his better sense
felt like the greatest scoundrel unhung,
a feeling which WIS fostered by the
remarks of Susan and the chilling re-
| CARDS of Miss Poison.
81 shall inform the captain, said Miss
Poison, bridling. Its my duty"
"Oh, / shall tell him." said Chrissie.
"I shall tell him the moment he comes
| in at the door,"
80 shall l." said Susan. "The idea of
| taking such liberties"
Having fired their broadside, the two
watched the enemy narrowly and
| anxiously.
| "If I've done anything wrong, ladies'"
said the unhappy boatswain, II am
sorry for it. 1 can't say anything
fairer than that, and I'll tell the cap'n
| myself exactly how i came to do it,
d, when he comes in"
"Pah-telltale," said Susan.
"Of course, if you are here to fetch
and carry" said Miss Poison, with with
ering emphasis.
"The idea of grown man telling
tales" said Chrissie, scornfully.
"Baby."
"Why, just now you were all going to
tell him yourselves" said the bewil-
dered boatswain.
The two elder women rose and re-
! garded him with looks Of plying dis
dain. Miss Polson's glance said ''fool"
| plainly. Susan, simple child of ma
ture, given to expressing her mind
freely, said 'blockhead" with convic-
| ton.
II see 'ow it is" said the boatswain
after ruminating deeply. swell, L
won't split, ladies. / can see now you
was all in it, and it was a little job to
| get me out of the house."
"What head he's got" said the irri-
tated Susan, "isn't it wonderful how
he thinks of IL all? Nobody would
think he was so clever to look at him."
"Still water runs Deep" said the
| boatswain, who was beginning to have
high opinion of himself.
"And pride goes before fall" said
Chrissie; remember that, Mr. Tucker"
Mr.. Tucker grinned, but remember
ing the fable Of the pitcher and the
well, pressed his superior officer that
evening to relieve him from his duties.
He stated that the strain was slowly un-
dermining constitution which was not
SO strong as appearances would war
rant, and that his knowledge of female
human nature was lamentably deficient
op many important points.
you're doing very WELL" said the
captaih, wnv Inu no intention OF at
tending any more Decreases. "very
well indeed. / am proud of YOU"
ut amt mans work." objected the
boatswain. Besides, il anything hap
pens, you'll blame me for IT,"
Nothing can happen, declared tho
captain, confidently. "We shall make
u start in about four days now. You're
the only man can trust with such a
delicate job, Tucker, and l shan't forget
YOU"
"very good" said the other defect
edly. II obey orders, then"
The next day passed quietly, tho
members of the household making a
great fuss of Tucker, and thereby fill
ing him with forcbodings of the worst
possible nature. On the day after,
when the captain. having business at
neighboring town, left him in sole
charge, his uneasiness could not be con-
cealed.
| SIN going for walk" said Chris
sic, as he sat by himself, working out
| dangerous moves and the best means
of checking them. would you care
| to come with me, Tucker?"
IL wish you wouldn't put IL that
way, MISS" said the boatswain, reach
ing for his hat.
IL want exercise" said Chrissle. "I've
been cooped up long enough"
She set off at good pace up the high
street, attended by her faithful follow
cr, and, passing through the small sub
urbs. struck oVt into the country be-
yond. After four miles the boatswain.
who was no walker, reminded her that
they had got TO go back.
PLENTY of time," SAID Chrissie. "We
have got the day before us. Isr't il
| glorious? Do you see that milestone,
Tucker? I'll race you for IL. Come
along"
She was off on the Instant, with the
boatswain, who suspected treachery,
after her.
you can rum" she painted. thought
| fully. as she came in second. "We'll
have another one presently. You don't
know how good IL is for you. Tucker"
The boatswain grinued sourly and
looked at her from the corner Of his
eye. The next three miles were like
a horrible nightmare, his charge maxi
ing a race In which the laboring boat
swain, despite hiswant OF practice, came
in the winner for every milestone. The
fourth race ended disuftrously, Chris
sic limping the last ter yards and seat
ing herself. with very woebegone
| face. ON the milestone.
"You did very well. miss" said the
boatswain, who thought lac could af-
ford 20 be generous. you needn't be
offended about H."
Its my ankle" said Chrissie, with
/ "a litfl. txh hfrannr tnt. I 4