The San Francisco call., 1896-08-23

l assumed what hoped was an attitude
OF surprise. You don't mean it, really Z"
said. H'm-deucedly awkward OF that
Gasket person, don't you known 1t can't
be that he has the first-class ticket?'
That's it'll" beloved the captain.
"Ho-ho! Narrow escape, eh? What did
told you about these newspaper fellers"
NO." said the purser; "he has no
ticket. This is his"
"Vell, velll this nonsense must be
stopped" said Captain Won Rudder, with
sudden sternness. "Mr. Wilkins, let's go
and see that man"
They went out, and l casually followed
as soon as prudent. Directing my steps
Dy the roar of the captains voice, was
ieo into the saloon, where a crowd had
gathered around.
There. in the center of the group, sat the
meek little Earl of Gasket, the handbag
lying on the table between his out
stretched arms. He was looking over his
pipe at the captain and the purser with
an expression of blank amazement IN his
eyes.
Il never before had occasion TO doubt
my Identity he was saying.
Give him his own ticket, Mr.. Wilkins,
SAID the captain. "Now, Gasket,
don't want you to try any more funny
business on this woyage-eh? You can't
fool me. l have seen you in Ensenada.
Nobody can forget vhiskers like yours is,
already"
Poor little Earl! He tried to hide his
confusion by again searching for the
missing ticket. He did not look in the
handbag, I noticed, hut kept one hand
near 1t constantly. His search was fruit
less and finally, to escape the battery OF
eyes, he arose and left the saloon.
There was no excuse for my meanness
and dishonesty in not disclosing the true
state of affairs. l was strongly impelled
to tell the captain the truth, but
Well. returned and occupied the first
class cabin.
The next morning, instead of restoring
to the Earl his rights at once, conceived
a plan to continue masquerading in bor-
rowed glory. 1t was a miserable subter-
fuge, but, am ashamed to say. thought
at the time 1t was rather clever.
"We are now OIL the high SEAS" l
thought. 1--WE had reached the three-mile
limit, surely. before l gave the Durser to
understand that was the Earl of Gasket.
Why not enjoy myself until almost to
Frisco, and then return the title to the
Earl while still on the high seas? The
title would be none the worse for wear.
Certainly there is no international law" |
thought, covering this point. There is
no precedent to follow. My act hardly
comes under the head of piracy or forcible
on " op nd data nf q
crimes. At the worst, il is simply an
acquiescence in a fortuitous situation"
| arose, breakfasted and went out on
deck. There, by the rail, stood the Earl,
gazing off toward the dim California coast
and smoking his inevitable brier. On
sudden impulse l resolved to speak 10
him.
"This is your first visit to California, is
it not, Mr.. Gasket p l remarked, with an
assumption of ease.
"Under the circumstances, yes" he re-
piled quietly, and glancing curiously at
me. Ii mistake not there was a twinkle
in his eye.
"Great country" said l.
Intensely So" said the Earl.
zone meets with queer adventures"
"Deucedly queer"
tOf course" persisted, regarding the
present adventure am no more at fault
than yourself. was not allowed to ex-
plain
mo explanation is necessary" said the
EerI, hastily. $50 far as am concerned
the present arrangement is quite satisfac-
tory-quite so. The novelty-um-q1ite
delightful, assure you. Bit of a romance
for my book on America, don't you know.
Quite delighted"