Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-04-09

said Mr.. Bunks, "since became dismem-
bered. although the cap'n can. 1 climbed it
that time. though; but the mex. day. when
the. cap'n went fishin', had that door put
in. and there she is
can shame it was to an homes ship"
said the captain with emphasis.
This amt no Ship it's a house." replied
Mr.. Bunks with equal emphasis
Both partners seemed to think this ended
the discussion. and Immediately busted
themselves getting out an assortment of
Equipped with these we started away from
the dry land boat, leaving Mr.. Bunks
standing at the door, and Captain Bunker
on the roof, and both waving farewells in
our direction. 1t rained steadily during
the next few days, and We got out very
seldom. and saw nothing of our new
friends We spent good deal of our time
playing checkers. I am a much better
checker player than my wife; but she
becomes so much interested in the game
that 1t makes her decidedly sick when
she loses any number of games l there
fore make IL a rule to allow her to win
ABOUT two out of every four games.
Through my carelessness in the other two
games, she usually wins one of them, too,
ard the average Of beating three out of
four games keeps her from being sick, and
in fact gives her such an opinion of her
own skill that sometimes 1 feel that l will
have to stop allowing her to win two out
of four contests.
The first moderately clear day I took q
stroll down by the beach. and returning
came by the shore ship, as we called it.
The place looked a little different in the
sunlight. and an American flag was flying
from the flagstaff. There was a little
shed-like building. little distance from
the main house, and finding no signs of life
at the boat. walked down there. Inside
L found Mr.; Bunks. contempiatively look
ing at a Goldfish with two tails. The little
room was crowded with curious looking
birds and fish. stuffed and mounted. On
bench In the center was a dried looking
rh
the head of a child. When Mr. Bunks saw
me he waved his hand toward the Goldfish,
and remarked meditatively. It'll need an
other head. which will make it quite a
feature. Two headed and two-tailed cod
in big letters. Caught today"
Mr. Bunks noted my perplexity and ex-
planned. I'VE see, sir, it's this way. Since
severed my connection with my leg. and
the circus business simultaneous, I've been
in the freak business. That Is. I provides
freaks for-aH sorts of people who may need
| them. 1t would surprise you the number
of freaks as comes out of the sea- Cam
Cyrus he goes fishin'. He fishes most every
day, an he most generally makes one trip
a year to the banks. He keeps his eye open
specially for freaks, or such as can be made
into freaks. Than I takes them, stufs
them. patches them, adds a head here or a
tail there. ar sells them to whoever wants
them
"And who wants them?"
well, various kinds of people wants
them" went on Mr.. Bunks that mermaid
] there il for a museum in Boston. Mer-
maids are mighty easy made and there is
always a fair demand for them. Two
headed sharks go of like lightnin when
they's genuine. which thsy mighty seldom
Is. Howsornever, / can Put up q mighty
good imitation. Then there Is the two
| just between YOU and me, as man to man.
That class of freaks 1 sell mostly to the
pliers. Ye see. nearly every seashors plaza
| has a pier, and every pier has a big net
yUyff 10
| the people, who has all paid ten cents
apiece, stands around and sizes up the
catch. and says. Orr when it's seen that
a big one is in the net. Well sir. you can
imagine the 'Oh'sr when the net comes up,
\ and the crowd sees a two-headed blue 6sh
i or cod. They come ths next day with their
! friends, and when the fish Is put out in
front Of the pier. with seaweed around
| him. ard a big sign, 'Two-headed blue fishl
Caught today of the pier!' there's an inn
mejiats rnsh to get lines an pay ten cents
| to fish on the end of the pier. Yes, sir
fish," ~ - 'N -''AA
I In this way did we become acquainted
with Captain Bunker and Mr.. Bunl1s, and
! in the weeks following we saw them quits
! frequently. Several times we went out
/ fishing with the captain and kept a sharp
| lookout for freaks. Often I strolled down
by myself and sat and smoked with ths
captain. up OF deck or watched Mr. Bunls
1 construct mermaids or two-headed mon
| strosities.
One day when I came by the place there
i was great excitement. Two liags were
fiuttering from the pole on the roof. one
| the stars and stripes and the other q PEN
| nant having the words, 'The Emma" A
two-seated wagon was standing by the
gate. and rs paused undecided about GO
ing IN there was q clatter of wooden legs
and Capt. Bunker came out OF the door.
which was surprising enough. OF itself.
Behind the captain was Mr.. Bunks, and
| behind Mr.. Bunks were three strange men.
| As the party came out to the wagon Capt
Bunker hailed me, and introduced me to
| his visitors. They were Mr. Drake, short
stout and red faced, VINO had only one
arm; Mr.. Lighter. tail and angular. minus
I q leg. and DR.. Sawyer. jolly and round ana
possessing all OF his members After q
few moments talk the three strangers
drove Oh. evidently Tor the station, while