The times., 1897-07-11

an nything to him was a red-nosed sergeant
OF marines, who, setting his glass with
great elaboration on the counter, gazed
fixedly at a dozen laces crawling over
his red sleeve. His remarks, when he
discovered their connection with Sam, We're
OF a severe and sweeping character, and
contained not the slightest reference 10 D.
drink.
In the next bar he met a plilanthropst
who bought up his whole stock-intrade.
The stout seaman was utterly unprapared
for such kindness, and stood looking at
him duIE bly,
There, there said his benefactor
kindly Never mind about thanking
me-
Sam oheyed him easily, and, departing in
silence, went off to the nearest boOtshop
to buy more laces. Taught by experience.
he put some OF the new stock in his pocket,
and with couple oflpairs in his hand, IN
tered the next tavern on the beat.
The bar " as pretty ,fpll, but he pushedhis
way in, and, offering his wares in per-
functory fashion, looked around carefully
for any signs of Capt. Getting
'outsidel' said "A smart barmaid, with
toss OF her head as she caught sight of
him.
Il IN goin', miss, ~ said Sam blushing
with shame. Hitherto most barnaids mad
treated fIn with kindness, and in tayerns
where his powers were known, usually
addressed him as sir
''Dowp on your luck, mate,'' said "a voice,
as ne turned to go.
STARVING SIR said Sam, who was
never one to trouble about appearances.
''Sit down. said his new friend, with
noC ut the barmaid, Who was still regard
ing the seaman in hostile fashion
Sam eyes beamed softly with a mixture
OF gratitude and amusement as his new
frienl came back with a pint of ale and
some bread
Get through that, old chap" said the
man as he handed him the bread; ''and
there's some more where that came from"
H.; sat down opposite, and, taking long
pull at the pewter, watched with a kind
Smile to see the famished seaman eat He
noted as a strange fact that starving nen
, nibhie gently at the outside crust first, and
then start on small, very small, mouthfuls
OF crumbs. instinct rat her than reason prob
| ably, warning them Of the dangers of the
surfeit
| For few minutes sam, with one eye
| struggled to perform his part. Then he
| rose, and murmuring broken thanks, said
| he would take some home TO his wife and
children.
! Never mind your wife and children,''
said his benefactor, putting down The
| empty pewter You eat that up aud + Il
| give you Il couple of loayes to take home
| TO them
My arts too full to eat" said sam,
! getting HttIe ncaler the door
He means his stummicS.'' said stern
| but youthful voice which the unhappy
| seaman knew only too well He turned
| smartly and saw the face Of Henry peering
/ over the partition, and beside it the grin
| ming count enance of Dick
lie was IA our ship this afternoon
! continued his youthful toTmentoF, as ne
! scrambled still higher gp the partition,
| and getL.ug one arm over pointed an ac-
| cusing finger at sam, who had been pushed
back into his seat. we gave him a lovely
dinucr, an arter he'd eat it he went off
on the quiet IN one or our chap clothes"
That's night, mates" said the de
lighted Dick, nodding ut the audience.
one of our chaps named sam went
| on Henry; ''one or the best an kindeSU
| earted chaps that ever bTeafned'
The customers gazed sternly at sam
| as he sat open-mouthed listening 10 these
| accusations. In every gathering there as
| sur: To be one or two whose self-inspused
mission it is to right wrongs, and one of
this type present At once suggested re1urE-
ing the clothes 10 the rfehfu owner His
suggestion was adopted with enthusiasm,
and a dozen men AT once closed round the
hapIess Sam.
Outside gentlemen, please" said the
! barmaid, hastily.
They went out in a cluster, the stout
seaman in the center fighting like q
mailman, and nearly overturning three
soldiers who were passing The not that
! ensued took thee policemen and a picket
10 Suhdue sam, glad of g. chance to get
away, only saw the beginning of it, and
consumed by violent Indignation, did not
pause until he had placed half dozen
streets between himself and the scene
of his discontinue.
For time lie stIuHed on a imlesSly, and
then. resolving not to be defeated by tie
irlpertnenCeS of Dick ard TIE 10y, paused
before a highca tavern and went III.
Two or three well-dresSed men, whnse be-
havior contrasted favorably with that
of the vulgar crew he had just left, SHOOK
their heads, but net un kindly, and he was
about 30 leave when a big black bea rded
man entered.
That's poor game" said the big man
giancing at the laces.
Yes, sir" said Sam, humbly.
''You look as if you thrive on it, said the
man, somewhat sternIy.
Its only looks, sir,'' said Sam, shak-
ing his head, as he walk to the door.
Drink, I s'poSe?'' said the other.
mo. sir" said Sam.
when did you taste food IaSt?'' con
tinued the other
yesterday morning." said Sam, clear
with his tongue.
Gould You take something?" inquired the
other.
Sam smiled expectantly and took a seat
He heard his new friend order pot, and
wlping his mouth on the back of his
hand, tried TO think of something nice
to say as he drank 1t. Then his blood
froZe In his veins. and his jaw dropped u:
the other came from the counter and helC
out half loaf
There my man," he said kindly, ''put
that inside you"
Sam took it and tried 60 put it int
his pocket, and repeating his old tale
about taking 1t home TO his children. ros
to depart
You eat that, and I'll give you coupl'
of Ioaves to take home to Them" said tn,
| other