The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-02-03
copyright. 1896. by Bachelor. Johnson and
Bacheller.l
PART L. ~

whom nobody troubled about, were full
of joy at the circumstance. Twice be.
fore had the skipper, whose habits
might, perhaps, be best described as
irregular. missed his ship, and word
had gone forth that the third time
would be the last. His berth was n
good one, and the mate wanted il in
place of his own, which was wanted by
Ted Jones, A. Is.
'Tuo hours MORE" said the mate,
anxiously, TO the men as they stood
leaning against the side, "and 1 take
the ship out"
"Under two hours'll do it." said Ted,
peering over the side and watching the
water as il slowly rose over the mud.
"What's got the old man, | wonder?"
81 don't know and / don't care" said
the mate. "You chaps stay by me,
and it'll be good for all of us. Mr..
Pearson said distinctly the last time
that il the skipper ever missed his ship
again IL would be his last trip in her,
and he told me afore the old man thatI
wasn't TO wdit two minutes at any
time, but to bring her out right away"
Hes an old fool said Bill Loeb, the
other hand; "and nobodyTl miss him
hnt the boy, an he's been looking regular
worried all the morning. He looked SO
worried at dinner time that / give i'm
a kick to cheer him up a bit. Look at
him now"
The mate gave q supercilious glance
in the direction Of the boy, and then
turned away. The boy, who had no
idea of counting observation, slowed
himself way behind the w~indlass, and
taking a letter from his pocket, perused
1t for the fourth time.
DEAR ToMMY,"-it began-'T take my
pen in and TO inform you that line staying
hero and ant git away for the reason that
4 lorst mi cloes at cribage larst night. Don't
my money. and everything beside. Don't
spceK TO n living sole about 1t as the mate
wants my birth. but pack up sum cloes
and bring them to me without saying nuth-
1ng to nobody. The mates clothes will do
becos I l haven't got emmy other SCOT. don't
tell I'm. You incident trouble about soks
as rye got them left. My he'd is so bad 1
mustnow conclude. Your affectionate uncle
and captin JOE BRoss. p. s. Don't let the
mate see you come. or else he wont let you
60"
"Two hours more!" sighed Tommy,
ms he put the letter back In his pocket.
s'How can / get any clothes when they're
ali locked up? And aun said / was to
look after i'm and see he didn't git into
mo mischief"
He sat thinking deeply, and then as
the crew of the Sarah Jane stepped
ashore to take advantage of a glass
offered by the mate, he crept down to
the cabin again for another desperate
look around. The only articles OF
lclothing visible belonged to Mrs.
Bross, who, up to this trip, had been
sailing in the schooner to look after Its
master. At these he gazed hard.
"TlI take 'em an try an swop 'em for
some mems clothes" said he, suddenly,
snatching the garments from the pegs.
r'She wouldn't mind" and hastily roll
dng them in a parceltogether withapair
OF 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 off at a trot TO the address fur-
nished In the letter.
1t was a long way, and the bag was
heavy. His first attempt to barter was
alarming. for the pawnbroker, who had
5ust 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 ia small by-street his
glance fell upon a baker OF mild and be-
nevolent aspect standing behind the
counter Of his shop.
~if you please, cir" said Tommy,
entering and depositing his bag on
the counter. shave you any cast-of
clothes you don't want?"
The baker turned TO a shelf, and, Sc
ieciing a stale loaf. cut il in halves, one
OF which he placed before the boy.
II don't want bread" said Tommy,
desperately; but mother has just died,
pnd father wants mourning for the fu-
neral. He's only got n new suit with
linn, and II he can't change these things
of mothers for an old suit. he'll sell his
best e to bury her with"
He shook the articles out on the
counter, and the bakers wife, who had
just come into the shop. inspected them
rather favorably.
Poor boy, so you lost your motheri"
she said, turning the clothes over. "It's
n good skirt, Bill"
"Yes, ma'am,' said Tommy, dole
fully.
what did she die Off" inquired the
baker.
Scarlet fever" said Tommy, tear.
fully, mentioning the only disease he
knew.
scar Take them things ayyay,"
yelled the baker, pushing the clothes on
the DOR and following his wife to the
other end of the shop. Take 'em away.
directly, you young villain."
Ills voice vas so loud. his manner so
imperative, that the startled boy, with
out stopping 10 argue. stuffed the
clothes peli-mcll- into the bag again
and departed. a farewell glance at
the clock made him look almost as hor-
fihed as the baker.
81 - =.