The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-02-03
my unconscious Of offense, met his gaze

my unconscious Of offense. met his gaze
serenely.
If" continuing the skipper, "at any
time you felt like taking too much, and
you stopped with the beer mug half
way to your lips, and thought of me sit
ting in this disgraceful state, what
would you do?"
Il dunno" replied Tommy. yawning.
What would you do?" persisted the
skipper. with great expression.
Laugh. l spose," said Tommy, after
moments thought.
The sound of well-boxed ear ran
through the cabin.
You're an unnatural ungrateful lit
tie toad" said the skipper, hercely.
You don't deserve to have q good, kind
uncle to look after you"
Anybody can have him for me"
sobbed the indignant Tommy. as he
| tenderly felt his ear. You look u pre-
cious sight more like an aunt than an
| uncle"
After firing this shot he vanished In
| a cloud of blanket: and the skipper
| hastily abandoning u hastily formed re-
| solve of first fiaying him alive and then
| fiinging him overheard, sat down again
| and lit his pipe.
Once out of the river he came on deck
again. and, ignoring, by kreat effort.
| y
. the mate. took command. The only al
teration he made in his dress was to
| substitute his sOu'wester for the bon
| net and in this disguise he did his work.
| while the aggrieved Tommy hoped 1t
| in blankets The three days at sea
passed like horrible dream. So covet-
Gus was his gaze that the crew instinct
lively clutched their neither garments
and looked to the buttoning Of their
coats as they passed him. He saw coats
| in the mainsal. and fashioned phantom
trousers out of the flying jib. and. to-
ward the end, began to babble Of blue
| serges and mixed tweeds. Oblivious of
| fame, he had resolved to enter the har-
| Dor of Battlesea by night; but 1t was
not to be. Near home the wind dropped.
and the sun was we'll up before Battle
| sea came into view, gray bank on the
| starboard bow.
Until within a mile of the harbor the
| skipper held on, and then his grasp on
the wheel relaxed somewhat. and he
looked round anxiously for the mate.
| where's Bob?" he shouted.
| Hes very i'll. SIR" said Ted, shaking
his head.
mp" gasped the. startled skipper.
Here. take the wheel minute"
He handed it over. and then. grasp
ing his skirts, went hastily below. The
mate was half lying. half sitting In his
bunk. grOaning dismally.
What's the matter?" inquired the
skipper.
I'm dying" said the mate. Il keep
being tied uD all in knots inside.
can't hold myself straight"
The other cleared his throat.
you'd better take off your clothes
| and lie down a Bit" he said kindly.
Let me help you off with them"
| "No--don't--trouble. painted the
mate
1T amt no trouble" said the skip
per. in a trembling voice.
mo. I'll keep 'em on" said the mate,
family. I've always had an idea I'd
like to die in my clothes. 1t may be
foolish. but can't help it."
You'll have your wish some day,
never fear. you internal rascal
You're shamming sickness to make
me take the ship into port"
why shouldn't you take her imp
asked the mate. with an air of inno-
cent surprise. ITS your duty as cap'n
You'd better get UP above now. The
bar Is always shifting"
The skipper. restraining himself by
a mighty effort, went on deck again,
and taking the wheel. addressed the
crew. He spoke feelingly Of the obedi-
ence men owed their superior officers,
and the moral obligation they were
under to lend them their trousers when
the required them. He dwelt on the
awful punishments awarded for mu-
tiny and proved clearly that to allow
the master of ship to enter port in
petticoats was mutiny of the worst
type. He then sent them below for
their clothing. They were gone such