Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1901-02-22
:, can't take them," cried the captain


wives and families again; and 10 would
BIO q matter Of comfort to them II they
only could hear from US"
II cannot take your letters-the saints
preserve usl'' replied the captain.
1--WE have been long while out" said
the seaman, shaking his head.
"How longr inquired the captain, not
knowing what to say.
1--WE can't tell; our almanac was blown
overheard, and we have lost our reckon
ing. We never have our latitude exact
now, for we cannot tell the suns declina-
ton for the right day"
"Let mo see your letters" said Philip,
advancing.
"They must not be touched" screamed
Sohriften.
tout, lnonstsrl" replied Philip; "who
darss interfere with ,ne9"
"Doomedl doomed doomedl" shrieked
sohrifsen, running up and down tho deck,
and then breaking into wild at of laugh
Ter.
"Touoh not the letters, said the cap
tain, trembling as II in an asue f1t.
Philip made no reply, but held his hand
cut for tho letters
Hero ID one from our second mate to
his wife at Amsterdam, who lives on
waser quay"
"Waser quay has long been gone, my
good friend; there is now large dock for
ships whore 1t once was, !" replied Philip.
"Impossible!" replied the man; "here
is another from the boatswain to his TO-
Their, who lives in the old market place"
"The old market place has long been
pulled down, and there now stands q
church upon the spot"
"1mpossible!" replied the seaman;
there is another from myself to my sweet
heart, Yrow Kstser-with money to buy
her new brooch"
Philip shook his head. "I remember
seeing an old lady Of that name buried
some 80 years ago."
"1mpossiblel left her young and
blooming. Here's one for the house of
Slutz g. Co., to whom the ship belongs"
"Thore's no such house now" replied
Philip; "but have heard that, many
years ago, there was firm of that name. Z"
"Impossiblo you must be laughing at
me. Here is . letter from QUIZ captain to
his SOM
"aive it me-" cried Philip, seizing the
letter. He was about to break the seal,
whom Sehriften snatchsd it out of his
hand, and threw it over the lee gunwale.
That's scurvy trick for an old ship
made no reply, but catching up the other
letters which Philip had laid down on the
capstan, he hurled them after the first.
The strange seaman shed tears, and
walked again to the side. SIT is very hard
very unkind," observed he, as he de-
seended, "ths time may come when you
may wish that your family should know
your situation" So saying, he disappear
| cd. In a few seconds was heard the sound
of the oars retreating from the ship.
Holy st. Antonio!' exclaimed the cap
tain. 81 am lost in wonder and fright
Steward bring me up the arrack.'
The steward ran down for the bottle
being as much alarmed as his captain, he
helped himself before he brought it up tc
his commander. "Now," said the captain,
after keeping his mouth for two minutes
to The bottle, and draining it to the bot
tom, what is to be done next"
'Ill tell you" said Schriften, going w
to him; that man there has a charm
hung round his neck; take it from hin
and throw 1t overheard, and your shiI
will be saved; If not, it will be lost, witt
every soul on board"
Eyes, yes, it's all right, depend upon
It," cried the sailors.
Fools" replied Philip, "do you be
lieve that wretchp Did you not hear the
man who came on board recognize him
and COLL him shipmate9 He is tho party
| whose presence on board will prove 90 un
fortunate"
| Eyes, yes" cried the sailors, cts ali
right; the man did call him shipmate"
81 toll you It's all wrong" cried Schrif.
ten; THAT 10 tho man: let him give ur
tho charm"
"Yes. yes; let him give up the charm"
Dried the sailors; and they rushed upon
Philip.
Philip started back to where the captain
stood. "Madmen, know ye what you are
about It is the holy cross that wear
round my neck. Throw 1t overheard il
you dare, and your souls are lost forever"
and Philip took the relic from his bosom
and showed 1t to the captain.
mo, no. men!" exclaimed the captain,
who was now more settled in his nerves
that won't do-the saints protect u.s."
The seamen, however, became clamor.
Gus; one portion were for throwing
Schriften overheard, the other for throw
ing Philip; at last, the point was decided
by the captain, who directed the small
skif hanging astern to be lowered down,
and ordered both Philip and Schriften to
get into it. The seamen approved of this
arrangement, as it satisfied both parties
Philip made no objection; Schriften
screamed and fought, but he was tossed
into the boat. There he remained tren,.
bling in tho stern sheets, while Philip,
who had seized the sculls pulled away
from the vessel in the direction of the
| pnaLGoln eil.o
To be continued
STATE OF ONO, City OF TOLEDO, ! !.