The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-03-11

followed his charge upstairs again. he
grinned at intervals until the return OF
Susan and Miss Poison. who. trying To
look unconcerned, came in later on,
both apparently suffering from temper,
Susan especially. Amid the sympa-
thetic Interruptions of these listeners
Chrissie recounted her experience, While
the boatswain. despite his better sense.
felt like the greatest scOundrel unhunS,
u feeling which was fostered by the
remarks of Susan and the chilling re-
CARDS of Miss Poison.
Il shall inform the captain" said Miss
Poison, bridling. Its my duty"
"Oh. 1 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 anx-
| iously.
IF I've done anything wrong, ladies. ;"
said the unhappy boatswain. II am
sorry for it. l can't say anything fair
| er than that. and I'll tell the cap'n
| myself exactly how l came to do II,
when he comes in.
"Pah-teltale." said Susan
"Of course, if you are here to fetch
and carry" said Miss Poison. with
withering emphasis.
"The idea of u 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 Polsons glance said fool
plainly. Susan. simple child of ma
ture, given to expressing her mind free
ly. said "bockhead' with conviction.
Il see 'ow II is" said the boatswAin
after ruminating deeply. well. I won't
split ladies. J can see now you was
all in it. and it was little job to
get me out of the house"
What Il head he's got said the ir-
ritated Susan, isn't 1t wonderful now
he thinks of it all? Nobody would
think he was so clever to look at him. y
still water runs deep said the
boatswain. who was beginning to have
| a high opinion of himself.
And pride goes before n 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.
lie stated that the strain was slowly
undermining a constitution which was
not SO strong as appearances would
warrant. and that his knowledge of fe-
male human nature was lamentably de-
ficient on many important points.
you're doing very WELL" said the
captain, who had no intention of at
tending any more Decreases. very
well indeed ] am proud of you"
1T amt mans work. objected the
boatswain. Besides, If anything hap
pens. you'll blame me for it,"
Nothing can happen" declared the
captain, confidently. 1--WE shall make
a start in about four days now. You're
the only man ! can trust with such Il
delicate job, Tucker, and ] shan't forget
you"
Very good" said the other defect
| edly. II obey orders, then"
The next day passed quietly, the
members of the household making a
great fuss of Tucker, and thereby fill
Ing him with forebodings 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.
I'm going for a 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"
II wish you wouldn't put 1t that
way. miss" said the boatswain. reach
ing for his hat
II want exercise" said Chrissie. i've
been cooped up long enough"
She set off at a good pace up the high
street. attended by her faithful follow
er, and, passing through the small sub
| urbs, struck out 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 Chrsse "We
have got the day before us. Isn't it
glorious? Do you see that milestone.
Tucker? I'll race you for it. 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 i'm second. We'll
have another one presently. You don't
know how good it is for you. Tucker"
The boatswain grinned soury and
looked at her from the corner of his
eye. The next three miles were like
a horrible nightmare. his charge max
ing "a race in which the laboring boat
swain, despite his want of practice,