Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-02-08

Tommy. II don't like going up in this
blanket. They'll laugh at me-
"You go at once!" Numbered the skip
per- and turning his back on him, wh,stled
softly, and began to, arrange the pieces
Laugh away. my lads he said cheer
fully. as an uproarious burst of laughter
greeted the appearance of Tommy on deck.
He waited himself for nearly twenty
Uinutes, at the end of which time Tommy
treading on his blanket, came flying down
the companion ladder and rolled into the
cabin.
There amt nCedlt aboard the ship"
he said. solemnly. as he picked himself
up and rubbed his head. i've looked
everywhere"
WHAT" roared the skipper, hastily con-
| Iedr
"Ay. ay, sir" said Ted. as he came be-
~ want sailmakers needle" said the
skipper glibly. 1--WE got rent in this
~, I've broke the last one yesterday" said
Ted, with an evil grin.
ANY other needle, them said the skip
per. trying to conceal his emotion.
II don't believe there's such a thing
aboard the ship" said Ted, who had obey
| ed the mates thoughtful injunction. Nor
| thread; l was only saying so to the mate
yesterday"
| The skipper sank again to the lowest
depth, waved him away, and then getting
| on corner of locker fell into a gloomy
revere.
IT'S pity you do things in such hur-
| ry," said Tommy, smiling vindictiyely
You might have made sure of the needle
before You spelled my clothes There's two
| Of us going about ridiculous now
The master of the Sarah Jane allowed
| this insoence to pass unheeded. 1t is in
moments CT deep distress that the mind of
man, naturally reverting to solemn things,
| seeks to improve the occasion by lecture.
The skipper, chastened by suffering and
disappointment, stuck his right hand in his
and gently bidding the banketed urchin in
| front of him to sit down. began:
You see what comes of drink and cards."
he said. mournfully. Instead of being at
the helm of my ship racing all the other
| crafts down the river. I'm skulking down
here like-like-''
Like an actress suggested Tommy
The skipper eyed him all over. Tommy,
| unconscious of offense, met his gaze Sc
renely.
If" continued 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 sitting in this
| disgraceful state, what would you do?"
II dunno" replied Tommy. yawning.
"What would You do?" persisted the skip
Fer, with great expression.
Laugh, 1 s'pose," said Tommy after
| moments thought.
The sound of a well-boxed ear ran
You're an unnatural. ungrateful little
| toad" said the skipper. fercely "You
don't deserve to have good, kind uncle
| to look after you"
"Anybody can have him for me-" sobhed
| the indignant Tommy. as he tenderly felt
| his ear. you look a precious sight more
like an aunt than an uncle"
After firing this shot he vanished in a.
cloud OF blanket; and the skipper hastily
abandoning hastily formed resolve of first
| faying him alive and then hinging him
overheard, sat down again and lit his pipe
once out of the river he came on deck
again, and. ignoring by great effort the
smiles of the crew ard the jibes of the
| mate, took command. The only alteration
| he made in his dress was to substitute his
sou'wester for the bonnet, and in this guise
| he did his work, while the aggrieved Tom
my hoped it in blankets. The three DAYS
at sea passed like a horrid ,lream So
covetous was his gaze that the crew in
| stinctively clutched their neither rarmtnts
| and looked to the buttoning of their coats
| as they passed him. He saw coats in the
riainsail, and fashioned phantom trousers
out of the flying jb, and, toward the end,
| began to babble Of blue serges and mixed
| tweeds. Oblivious of fame he had resol red
to enter the harbor Of Battlesea by night:
| but it was not to be. Near home the wind
dropped, and the sun was well up before
Battlesea came into view, a gray bank on
| the starboard bow.
Until within b mile of the harbor the
skipper held on, and then his grasp on the
looked
round anxicusly for the mate,
where's Bob?" he shouted.
Hes very i'll, SIR said Ted. shaking his
head.
Tip gasped the startled skipper. Here.
| take the wheel minute"
He handed it over. and then. grasping
his skirts, went hastily below. The nate
was half lying; half sitting in his bunk.
whats the matter?" inquired the skip
per.
I'm dying" said the mate. ct keep be-
| ing tied up all in knots inside. I can't hold
myself straight"
The other cleared hts throat
You'd better take off your clothes and lie
down Bit" he said. kindly. LET me help
you OF with them"
"No-dont-trouble!'' painted the mate.
ut amt no trouble" said the skipper in
q 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. It may be foolish.
but can't help It,"
you'll have your wish some day. never
fear, you Internal rascalr' shouted the
over-wrought skipper. you're shammfnr