The times., 1897-07-25
The Slippers Wooing
W. w. JACOBS
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BY w. w. JACOBS.


Father nice place, / think" said
Henry. ~ like it letter than Mapping.
We've sailed from there year now.
Our skipper is fond of 1T, too. He's rather
sweet on girl who's teacher in a school
there
what SCHOOL," asked the old clan.
The 10y gave slight laugh. We'll, it's
good telling you if you don't know the
place." he said, easily. Its girls
school"
y used 10 know man that lived there"
said the other, speaking slowly and care
fully. What's her name?"
Il forget said the boy, yawning.
Conversation tagged and the two sat
idly watching the last CT the children as
they toilcd slowly toward home from the
sands. The sun had set and the air was
getting chilly.
I'm be getting home" said the old
man. Goodnight, nay lad"
Good night to YOU" said the we'll
hammered Henry.
lie watched the old mans still strong
figure as it pa ssed slowly up the steps,
and allowing him To get some little dis
taDce start, cautiously followed lie fol-
lowed hin up the steps and along the
cliff. Tie figure in front never halted
until it reached small court at the
back of a livery stable: then, needless OF
the small shadow, now very close behind,
1t pushed open the door of a dirty little
house and entered. The shadow crept up
aad paused irreselute, then, after care
ful survey Of the place, stole silently and
swiftly away.
The shadow, choosing the road because
1t was quicker, now danced back to Stour-
wich. ana Jumping lightly on To the schoon-
er, came behind the cook and thumped him
heavily on the hack. RefoTe the cook Gould
seize him, he had passe q on to Sam, and en-
bracing ss much of that gentlemau,s waist
as possible, vainly besought him to dance
"'E's off is ed" said Sam, shaking
himSelffree and regarding him unfavorab!y.
WHATS wrong kidd ""
Nothing" said Henry, iubilantiy, "every-
things night. Where's the skipper? I've
got something important TO ell i'm some
thing thatll make i'm dance.'
Wot is ito said the cock, and Sam to-
gether, turning pale.
Now don't get excited" said Henry.
holding up his hand warningly: .frs bad
for you, Sam, because you're too fat, and
It's bad for cookie because is eds weak.
you'll know all in good time"
lie walked aft leaving them to confer
uneasny as to the cause OF his jubilant
condition, and hastily descending the
companion ladder, burst noisily into the
cabin and surveyed the skipper and nate
with smile, which he intended should
be fuil of inforna ton Both looked nm
In surprise, and the skipper, who was In "a
very bad temper, half rose from his seat.
"Where've You been, you young rascaI?"
he asked. eyeing him stemly.
Looking round," said Henry. still srnii-
ing as he thought OF the change in the
shippers manner when lie should disclose
his information
what night have you TO 20 off Ike
that2'' roared the other angrily. i've half
mind 10 give you the soundest thrashing
you ever had In your ffev
IN night" said Henry. somewhat taken
aback- When--"
Don't answer me. youidle youngrascalt''
said the skipper sternly v: get to bed.'
Il want to" began Henry, chilled nv
this order
Get to he'd repeated the skipper, rising.
'Bed?' said Henry, as his face hardened.
bed at Z o'clock?''
III punish you somehow" said the
skipper looking from him to the cook. who
had just descended "Cooky'
" Yes, sir said the cook, briskIy
Put mat boy 10 bed" said the other,
"and see he goes now"
right, sir" said the grnning cook.
Come along, Emery
With pale face and naughty mien
which under other circumstances MIGHT
have been extremely impressive. Henry
after an entreating glance at the skinner
followed him up the steps.
" Els got to 90 to bed,'' said tho coot m
Sam and Dick, who were standing m,
gether. " 'E's been nauchty,,
who said so" asked Sam, es earIv
SKIPPER" replied the cook ..,F told
me we wos to put him to bed ourselves :"
You needn't trouble, 4" said Henry, stiff
ly. ''Irl go all right"
It's 10 trouble" said Sam OILY.
Its pleasure" said Dick. truthfuIly.
Arrived at the scuttle, Henry halted. and
WITH an assumption Of ease he was far
from feeling, yawned and looked aroupd
at the night.
"'io to bed said Sam reproyinplv.
ana seizing him in his stout arms passed
him below 10 the cook, feet first, as the
cook discovered to his cost.
Il ought to be bathed first said Sam.
assuming the direction of affairs; land it's
sunday mght, and e ought to have a clean
night gown on
rs is little he'd rnade?' inquired the
cook anxiousIy.
us little beds just proper" said Dick.
patting it
we won't bathe him tonight said
sam as he tied towel apron-ygise around
ms waist. ut 'ud be too long a tob
Now Emery, come on to my lap
Aided by willing arms, he tool, tn, voutb
on to his knee, and despite his frantic
struggles began to prepare him for his
slumbers. At the pressing reopest os tha
cook he removed The victims boots rtrst
and, as Dick said, it was SURPRISING what
olilerehce 1t made. Then having
"asnea me boys face with soap and flan-
mel Ne hrted him into his berth, grinninp
Respectfully up at the face OF the mate
as 1t peered down from the scuttIe with
keen enjoyment Of the scene.
is Tie boy asleep?" he INQUIRED ay.
gravadngly as Henry's arms and legs shot
out OF the berth in mad attempts to reach
his tormentors
sleeping like a little hangeI sirr,
said Sam respectfully "Would you Ike
10 come down and see he's all right. sir?"
Bless hini' said the grinning mate
He went off, and Henry making the best
OF bad job. closed his eyes and refused
to be drawn into replying to the tests of
the men Ever since he had been on the