The Forrest City times. [volume] (Forrest City, Ark.) 1871-1919, 1898-12-09
From Roof to Roof.
ives. sir, l guess you're right. it is

YVES, sir, l guess you're right, it is
pretty little show, and almost
too good for the likes of me. When
Joined the navy, now nearly 20 years
agone, little thought should find
such little spot to moor in. But,
lor, sir, 5 opportunity, that's what
it isl They say you can do anything
If you only get the chance. A favorite
observation of my old dads was that
.Bonaparty would have been king of
England if he'd only had the oppor-
tunity.'
II expect you wonder how an old
shellback like me CHATS what they
calls us in the navy came to be berthed
fore-and-aft in a snug little cottage
like this. with nothing in the world TO
do but open the gates for the cap'n or
his lady-bless her heart!-whenever
they drives through. But, as ! said
afore, it's just pure luck. Why, it was
worth an hours fighting to gain such
a missus as mine, not to mention the
lodge here, and the pension, or the cop
per cross which the dear old wildly
herself pinned on my blouse.
''Of course it was the cross our queen
pinned on my breast-not the cottage
or the pension. / dare say my talk
seems queer TO fine gentleman like
you, because l can't express my mean
in like those London chaps what sits
in their drorin'-rooms and writes grand
stories of adventure for Answers and
sech like, when mebbe they've never
been further than Margit.
"Howsumdever, l reckon I can spin
a yarn with the best of them, only it
wouldn't be dished up in such fine
dressing like, but simply plain truths
and, if you care to hear how Capt.
Grahame and me rescued they who was
to be our future missuses from host
of bloodthirsty demons, you had bet
ter heave-to on ,o1 seat and help your
self to the bsGea, which can guaran-
tee as tLc genuine broad-arrow brand,
and calc',ated to warm the cookies of
any man what is man.
II dare say you know more about the
ins and outs of the Egyptian affair of
's2 than do. An ordinary able-bodied
seaman don't go into no question of
polytics. He leaves that to the Off
GERS. All l knew was that there was
row on about cove what called him
self 'Alibi Pasha,' or some sich outland-
ish name. They are all 'Pashas' out in
Egypt, excepting few copper-colored
chaps who goes by the names Of
'Shrieks' and 'Cakes'-I hear our Tom
mics have been making em groan a bit
lately-just the same as everyone is a
count or markiss in Italy, and a kernal
in America.
"As usual, England and France was
mixed up in the scrimmage. i was
serving aboard the Thunderer at that
time, and we was stewing at Malta
when the welcome order came for US
to proceed south with all speed. We
men knowed there was something
brewing by the eager way the officers
talked to one another. and we conclud-
ed it must be serious by the extra cut
lass and gun drill we had to do.
I'VE reached Alexandria in time to
take part in the bombardment; but,
of course, you know all about that.
Poor devils! 1t warn't such fun for
US. They had some very good guns.
but they were badly served. and after
the first half hour they were nearly all
silent, only just splitting occasionally.
I'VE stood off and knocked all their
old forts and moslies to smithereens,
setting good part of the town afire
before they would give in. Then. when
the signal to cease fire was flying, and
l was reckoning to enjoy rest, be
blowed if l warn't ordered to join a
short party which the admiral was
sending to put out the flames our guns
had caused.
1T warn't no joke, / can tell you, TO
have to work in binding smoke pulling
down the old houses and temples, so
that the fire should not spread, special
iy as some of the cowardly riff-ratf were
taking pot-shots at us from the mar
row streets all the time. There we was
shaving away, with the perspira ton
dropping off us and our parched
tongues hanging out of our mouths,
and not blessed drop of nothing TO
drink all the time.
Presently ! felt some one touch my
arm. Turning, | saw young Lieut.. Ora
hame with his face as white as chalk
that Is, as far as could see through
tae smoke and dirt with which he was