Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1901-06-15
* &
| A PARIAH.
by Henry seton Mcrrinan.
/. /; :, : :.:s

y
~ Shields, and Muson's Chop
I. House stands at the lower
corner Of Slyncs Chare-Aln-
sons Chop House, where generations
Of honest TynCsidc sailors have con-
sumcd pounds of honest mutton and
beef, and onions herewith For your
true salt loves an onion ashore, which
makes him plcasantcr companion at
sea. MaSon's chop House is Il low
rooted, rcd.tilcd, tarred cottage with
Il balcony-a "balcohny' Overhanging
the river 1t is quite evident that the
"balcohny" was originally built, and
has subsequently been kept in repair,
by ships carpenters. 1t is so glaring-
ly ship.shap2, so rcdolent OF tar, SO
ridiculOuSly strong.
The keen, fresh brCoZc-and there Is
nothing kcencr, freshcr. stronger and
whoeSomcr In the world than that
which comes rearing up between the
two piers of the Tyne-this breeze
blows right through Mason's, and
blows the fume OF cooking out into
Slyne's Chare.
1t is evening - tea-timc - and the
days work is almost done; for Mason )
does little in Suppers. \ bullet-hcaded
boy is rubbing pewter pots ut the door.
Mrs. Mason, comfortably somnolcnt ut
the entrance of the little kitchen,
watches her aughtCr-comely, grave.
faced Annie MaSon-''our Annie" as
she is called, who is already folding
the tablcclohs. A few bclatcd GUS
toners linger in the partitioned loose
boxes which lend Il certain small pri-
vacy TO the tables. and often save Il
fight. They are talking in grufl, North
country voices, which are never harsh.
\ man comes in. after Il moment
pause ut the open door, and seeks n
secluded scat where the gas overhead
hardly affords illumination. He is Il
broadhuilt mana Tynsidcr; not so
very big for South Shields; Il matter
of six feet one, perhaps. He carries Il
blue spotted handkerchief against his
left cheek. and the boy with the pew
ter pots stares eagerly at the other. A
boy Of poor tact this; for the custom
cr's right check is horribly disliSured.
1t is all bruised and battered in from
the curve Of Il square jaw to the cheek.
bone, which is broken. But the eye is
intact; shrewd. keen eye, accustomed
to the penetration of a Northern mist
accustomed to a close scrutiny OF men y
faces. 1t Is painfully obvious that this
sailor-for gait ana clothes and man
ncr, set aside all other craIts-is hOrri-
bly, conscious of his drformty.
scot a toothachc:' inquiries the tact.
less youth.
The new conner replies in the mega.
tive and orders Il cup of tea and 4 hep
ring. II is Annie who brings the sim
pie meal and sets it down without
looking at the man.
"rhanliS." he growls in his brown
beard. and the woman pauses sudden
~. She listens. as if hearing some dis
tant sound. Then she slowly turns
for she has gone step or two from
the tablc-and makes Il prctencc OF
setting the salt and pepper closer to
him.
Three ships had come up with the
afternoon tiuc--:l coaster, n Norwegian
barquc in ballast. and 4 full-rigged
ship with nitrate from the West Coast
of South America.
Just ashorc:" Inquired Anne-ccO
nomicnl with her words. as they most.
ly are round the Northern river.
"Ay"
From the West COast:'
"Ay," grumbes the man. He holds
| the handkerchief to his check and
turns the herring tentatively with Il
fork.
You'll find It's 4 good enough fish,
says the woman bluntly. Her two
hands are pressed to her comcly bosom
IN Il singular way.
ayr says the man again, as if lie
had 10 other word.
| The clock strikes six, and the boy
more mindful Of his own tea than his
neighbours ailments. slips on his jacket
and goes home The last customers
dawdle out with grunt intended fol
salutation. Mrs. Mason is softly
heard to snore. And all the while An
ME MasOn-all the color vanished from
| her wholesome facc-stands with hcl
| hands clutching her 'uress gazing dOwl
mt the man. who still examines the
herring with Il sclf-conscious awk
wardncss.
"Geordic" she says. They are al
called Gcordic in South Shields.
"Ay, lass. he answers Snamefacedly
Annie Mason sits down suddenly
| opposite TO him. He does not look up
| but remains, his face half hidden by
| the spotted blue handkerchief, Il pic
turc of self conscious guilt and shame
what did We do it for, Gcordc:
she asks brcathlcssly. Eleven years
come March-oh, it was crucl.'
WHAT did do It for:" he repeats
"What did | do 1t for? Why, lass
can't We see my facc:'
He drops the handkerchief and holds
up his poor SCARED countcnancc. ll'
does not look ut her. but away pas
| her with the pathetic Shame OF ;
MANNED dog The cheek thus sudden
| " exposed 10 view is whole and browl
and healthy. Beneath the mahogany
colorcd skin there Is Il glow singularll
| suggestive of Il blush.
".Ay, see your face" She answer
with note of tenderness for the poo
Scared cheek. Il hope YOU haven
| been ut the drink
He shakes his head with little SAT
smile that twists up his olc.Side,
mouth.
is it because YOU wanted to get sho
| or ma" asks The woman with a SOr