The Somerset reporter., 1899-11-23
HII"Iii1IG TIE CAPTAIN.
80
1t Was Effected by a Girl, but at
the Expense of the Snip.

. Z.
..as:.s...:.>:s: .%e y. ...~s.4..y
Women aboard ship" said the bo'-
sun of the British Queen. lis like eats
in conservatory. They won't keep
still for minute If they amt up and
asking the skipper 'ow far it is to the
next port. they has to be getting them
selves in middle with the ropes and
spars and a-trying to turn n business
like ship into a sort of 'tarnal boudoir,
~ whatsoever they calls 'em, as is
decked out with ribbons and fancy
touches.
We 'ad a woman once aboard the
Liza Jane, as was crCs.e.ng from Car
diff to the Thames with steam coal,
and back agen with anything as we
could get hold of. She was ON the books
rs passenger, and when she come
aboard at Grayesend with a red para.
sorl and a brown 'andbag. and asked
the way to her room we knowed on the
instant TINT there was something go
ing to happen. and we changed our
lives just rs if we'd bin born agen and
couldn't help it.
why. afore we was off the More
hlcst if she 'adnt begun a-talking to the
cook about the greasy knives and tea
spoons. till the poor Teller WAS in such
tlutter that he took n two hours turn
a-polishing every bit of brass as might
'appen to come under 'er eye.
And then she started on the men.
VI.
SEES. and SO was the bul'arlls. as she
couldn't lean agcnSt without messing
'er blouse. And the men never said
nothing hut just went below and fish
ed out tier best togS and took to scrap
ing away the coal dust and tar when
they ought to ha been below and in
their hunks
The fact Is we was all knocked
'ead over 'eels and silly with fear and
admiration. For. no mistake, she was
as trim a cal as ever set parasorl
That is to say. we was all stuck 'cept
the skipper and e wasn't that sort.
They did say as e was woman
'ater and didn't see no use in 'em, and
| dare say as that was so, for when
she was on deck a-airing her best
things and a-maklng us poor chaps
wish we was good looking enough to
lay our carts AT 'er feet q WAS a-slnk.
ing out of the way aud only came On
deck when e knowed she'd be below
curling 'er air or getting 'erself up for
another attack.
"Well. this state of things continued
for couple of days. and then one
morning she come right up to me as
was a-splicing lashings and poked me
In the chest with 'er parasorl.
p" Sailor she SEES. what's your
name?'
"'Bll Sniggs, miss. if you please
SEES. with my knees a-shaking as if
they was sprung.
"'Well, Bill she ses, 'you look to me
estest man aboard, and | want You to
do me a favor as | can never repay
VIII you?
"I will" | answers, serious. just as
when they take 'em for better or wuss
And when she smiled and showed 'er
pretty teeth and 'cr eyes shonc like
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