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

Copyright, 1885, by Bachelor, Johnson Bacheller)
PART l.
The master of the Sarah Jane had been
missing for two days, and all on board, with
the exception of the boy, whom nobody
troubled about were full of joy at the
circumstance Twice before had the skip
per. whose habits might, perhaps, be best
described as irl ocular, missed his ship.
and word had gone forth that the third
time would be the last. His berth was a
good one. and the mate wanted it in place
of his own, which was wanted by Ted
Jones, A B.
Two hours more" said the mate, anx-
iously, to the men as they stood leaning
against the side, land 1 take the ship out"
Under two houls'n do it, said Ted,
peering over the side and watching the
water as it slowly rose over the mud.
Whats got the old man 1 wonder?
Il 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 tbs last time that if the skipper
ever missed his ship again it would be his
last trip in her, and he told me afors
the old man that I wasn't to wait two
minutes at any time, but to bring her out
right away
Hes an old fool said Bill Loeb, the
other hand; "and nobody'l miss him but
the boy. en- he's been looking reg'lar wor-
ried all tie morning. He looked SO worried
at dinner time that I give i'm a kick to
cheer him up bit. Look at him now
The mate gave a supercilious glance in
the direction of the boy. and then turned
away. The boy, who had no idea Of court
ing observation, slowed himself away be-
hind the windlass and taking letter from
his pocket, parused it for the fourth time.
Dear Tommy'-it began-"I take my
pen in and to inform you that line staying
here ard can't git away for the reason that
i lorst mi close at cribage larst night, and
my money, and everything beside. Don't
speek to a living sole about it as the mate
wants my birth, but pack up sum close
and bring them to me without saying nuth-
ing to nobody. The mates clothes will do
becos / haven't got emmy other SCOT. don't
tell i'm You incident trouble about soks
as I've got them left My he'd is so bad
must now conclude. Your affectionate IN
Gle 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, as
he put the letter back in his pocket. How
can / get any clothes when they're all
locked up? And aunt said I was 10 look
after i'm and see he didn't git into no mis-
chief"
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 clothing visible belonged to Mrs
Bross who, up to this trip, had been sail
ing in the schooner to look after its mas
ter. At these he gaZed hard.
I'm take EN- an try an swop EN- for
some mems Clothes" said he, suddenly,
snatching the garments from the pegs.
''S1e wouldn't mind" and hastily rolling
them In a parcel together with a pair of
carpet slippers of the captain s, he thrust the
lot into ar old biscuit bag. Then he Shout
dered his burden, and, going cautiously on
deck, gained the shore. and set off at
trJt to the address furnished 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
Just been cautioned by the police, was in
such a severe ard uncomfortable state of
morals that the boy hastily snatched up
his bundle again and left. Sorely troubled.
he walked hastily along, until in a small
by-street his glance fell upon a baker of
mild and benevolent aspect standing be-
hind the counter of his shop.
IF you please. SIR" said Tommy, enter
ing and depos.ting his bag on the counter,
have you any cast-on clothes you don't
want?"
ing stale loaf, cut it III halves, one of
which he placed before the boy.
81 don't want bread said Tommy des
perateiy; but mother has just died. and
father wants mourning for the funeral.
he can't change these things of mothers
for an old suit. he'll sell his best ones 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 ia
yorably.
Poor boy. 50 you lost your motherr' she
said. turning the clothes over. Its a good
skirt, Bill
Eyes. ma'am," said Tommy. dolefully
What did she die OFF, inquired the
tker
Scarlet fever" said Tommy, tearfully,
Mentioning the only disease he knew.
Scar Take them things away yelled
the baker, pushing the clothes on the floor
and following his wife to the other end of
the shop Take EN- away, directly. you
young viilain,'
His voice was so loud, his manner so
imperative, that the startled boy, without
stopping to argue stuffed the clothes pell-
NEIL irto the bag again and departed. A
farewell glance at the clock made him look
almost as Mortified as the baker.
There's no time to be lost" he muttered
as he began to run. Either the old man'll
have to come in these, or else stay where
he is"
He reached the house breathless and
paused before an unshaVen man in time
worn, greasy clothes, who was smoking a
slcrt clay pipe with much enjoyment in
front of the door.
is Capt Bross here?" he painted
Hes upstairs said the man, with a