The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1897-09-18

showed her sense of the danger she
ran by making an energetic attempt
to close the shippers mouth with her
mop, causing him to duck with amaz-
ing nimbleness. At the same moment
another mop loaded with white paint
was pushed into the back Of his neck
He turned with a cry Of rage, and then
realizing the odds against him flung
his dignity to the winds and lodged
with the agility of schoolboy.
Through the galley and round the
masts with the avenging mops in mad
pursuit. until breathless and exhausted
he suddenly sprang on to the side and
climbed frantically into the rigging.
"Cowardw said Miss Evans, shaking
her weapon at him.
~Come down." cried Miss Williams.
"Come down like man.
It's no good wasting time over him."
said Miss Evans, after another vain APP
peal to the shippers manhood. He's
escaped. Get some some more stuff on
your mops."
The mate, who had been laughing
boisterously, checked himself suddenly
and assumed a gravity of demeanor
more in accordance with his position.
The mops were dipped in solemn sill
ence, and Miss Evans, approaching, re
garded him significantly.
NOW, my dears," said the mate
waving his hand with deprecating
gesture. don't be silly"
Don't what?" inquired the sensitive
Miss Evans, raising her mop.
you know what l mean," said the
mate hastily. 81 can't help myself"
well, we're going to help you," said
Miss Evans; turn the ship around"
You obey orders, Jack" cried the
skipper from aloft.
ITS all very well for you sitting up
there in peace and comfort" said the
mate Indignantly. 81 am not going to
be tarred to please you. Come down
and take charge of your ship"
do your duty. Jack" said the skip
per- who was polishing his face with a
handkerchief. "They won't touch you.
They're afraid to. They're afraid to-"
you're egging 'em on" cried the
mate wrathfully. 81 won't steer; come
and take 1T yourself"
He darted behind the wheel as Miss
Evans, who was getting impatient,
made a thrust at him. and then,
springing out gained the side and rush
ed up the rigging after his captain.
Biddle, who was standing close by,
gazed earnestly at them and took the
wheel.
"You won't hurt old Biddle, know"
he said, trying to speak confidently.
"Of course not" said Miss Evans,
emphatically.
Tar doesn't hurt" explained Miss
Williams
Its good for you" said the third
lady. positively "One-two-''
Its no good" said the mate, as Eph-
RAIN came hurriedly into the rigging,
you'll have to give in"
I'm - if l WILL" said the infuriat-
ed skipper. Then an idea occurred to
him, and puckering his face shrewdly
he began to descend.
"AH right" he said, shortly, as Miss
Evans advanced to meet him. "I'll go
| back"
He took the wheel. The schooner
came around before the wind, and the
willing crew, letting the sheets CO. haul
ed them in again on the port side.
"And now, my lads" said the skip
per, with a benevolent smile. "just
clear that mess up off the deck, and
you may as well pitch them mops over
board. They'll never be any good
again"
He spoke carelessly, albeit his voice
trembled a little, but his heart sank
within him as Miss Evans waved then
back.
You stay where you are" she said
imperiously. "Well throw them over
board-when we've done with them
What did you say, Captain?"
The Captain was about to repeat i
with great readiness when Miss Evans
raised her trusty mop. The words dice
away on his lips, and after a hopeless
glance from his mate to the crew, ant
from the crew to the rigging, he &C
cepted his defeat and in grim slenc
took them home again.-Washingt
Post.
Europe's Oldest Professor