Iron County register., 1897-09-09
tCopyright. Ise7.l

I'VE got friend coming down with
us this trip, George" said the mas
ter of the Wave" as they sat on deck
after tea, watching the river. ''One of
our new members. Brother Hutchins. -
From the Mission, s'pose," said the
mate coldly.
From the Mission," confirmed the
skipper. You'll like him, George; he's
been one o the greatest rascals that
ever breathed."
''Well, don't know what you mean" )"
said the mate, looking up indignantly.
Hes 'ad a most interestin' life," said
the skipper; hes been in half the gaols
of England. To hear i'm talk is as good
as reading a book. Anr 'e's as merry as
they make EN-"
''Oh, and is e goin' to give us prayers
afore breakfast like that fat-necked,
white-faced old rascal what came down
with us last summer and stole my
boots?" demanded the mate.
HE never stole 'em, George" said the
skipper. "If you'd cared that man cry
when 1 mentioned to i'm your unjust
suspicious, you'd never have forgiven
yourself. He told 'em at the meetin'
an they had prayers for you"
You an your Mission are pack o
FOOLS" said the mate scornfully. You're
always being done. A man comes to
you an ses 'e's found grace and you
find i'm a nice, easy, comfortable living.
'E sports bit of blue ribbon and a red
nose at the same time. Don't tell me.
You ask me why don't join you, and 1
tell you it's because 1 don't want to
lose my common sense"
You'll know better one O. these days.
George" said the skipper, rising. 81
earnestly hope you'll ave some great
sorrow or affliction, something almost
too great for you to bear. It's the only
thing that'n save you
81 expect that fat chap what stole
my boots would like to see it too," said
the mate.
''He would" said the skipper solemn
ly. HE said so."
The mate got up, fuming and knock
ing his pipe out with great violence
against the side of the schooner,
stamped up and down the deck two or
three times, and then, despairing of
regaining his accustomed calm on
board, went ashore.
1t was late when he returned. A
light burnt in the cabin and the skipper
with his sPectacles on was reading
aloud from an old number of the Evan
-gelical Magazine to a thin, white-faced
man dressed in black.
That's my mate" said the skipper.
looking up from his book.
''Is he one of our band 2" inquired the
stranger.
The skipper shook his Head despond-
emily.
Not yet" said the stranger, encour-
agingly.
''Seen too many of 'em," said the
mate, bluntly. "The more see of 'em
the less like 'em. 1t makes me feel
wicked to look at 'em."
"Ah, that amt you speaking now,
IT'S the evil one" said Mr.. Hutchins
confidently.
81 s'pose you know i'm pretty we'll, -
said the mate, simply.
''I lived with him 30 years" said Mr..
Eutchins, solemnly, "then get tired of
him."
II should think he got bit sick. too, -
said the mate. Thirty days 'ud ha'
been too long for me-"
He went to his berth to give Mr..
Hutchins time to frame a suitable re-
p,y and returned with a full bottle of
whisky and a tumbler, and having
drawn the cork with a refreshing pop.
mixed himself a stiff glass and lit his
pipe. Mr.. Hutchins with a deep groan
glzed reproachfully at the skipper and
shook his head at the bottle.
You know 1 don't like to bring that
filthy stuff in the cabin, George" said
the skipper.
Its not for me- said the mate flip
pantly. Its for the Evil One-he ses
the sight of his old pail 'Utchins as
turned his stomach"
He glanced at the stranger and saw
To his astonishment that he appeared to
be struggling with a strong desire to
laugh. His lips tightened and his shifty
little eyes watered, but he conquered
himself in a moment. and rising to his
feet delivered a striking address in
favor of teetotalism. He condemned
whisky as not only wicked, but un-
necessary, declared, with a side glance
at the mate, that two calculated drops
dissolved in water were an excellent