The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1903-01-03
cisely similar motives" added Mr..

uThAx.
"Wait a minute, gentlemen" said
Captain Gillop. I've got this difficult
J matter, as l think, in its right bear
ings. We must make a clean breast Of
it to the husbands and let them take
the responsibility"
Mr.. Smallchild happened on this oc
casion to be "squaring his accounts
with the sea, and the first articulate
words which escaped him in reply to
the disclosure were an impatient re-
quest that they would "pitch him over.
board at once and the two babies along
with him" Serious remonstrance was
tried next, with no better effect. "Set-
tie it how you like" said Mr.. Small.
child family. "Do you leave 1t to me-
sir, as commander of this vesselT'
asked Captain Gillop. No answer,
mod your head, sir, if you can't
speak," Mr. Smallchild nodded his
head roundwise on his pillow and fell
asleep. docs that count for leave to
me to act?" asked Captain Gillop of
the witnesses, and the witnesses an
swered decidedly, Yes.
The ceremony was then repeated
with Simon Heavysides, who respond
ed, as became so intelligent man,
with a proposal Of his own for solving
the difficulty.
captain Gillop and gentlemen" said
the carpenter, with fluent and melan-
choly politeness, Il should wish to
consider Mr.. Smallchild before myself
in this matter 1 am quite willing to
part with my baby, whichever he Is,
and l respectfully propose that Mr.
Smallchild should take both the chill
dren and so make quite sure that he
has really got possession of his own
son."
The only immediate objection to this
ingenious proposition was started by
the doctor, who sarcastically inquired
of Simon what he thought Mrs.
Heavysides would say to it. The car
penter confessed that this considera-
ton had escaped him and that Mrs.
Heavysides was only too likely to be
an irremovable obstacle in the way of
the proposed arrangement.
Very well, gentlemen" said Captain
Gillop. GAS commander on board |
reckon next after the husbands in the
matter of responsibility. l have con-
sidered this difficulty in all it's bear
ings, and I'm prepared to deal with 1t.
Follow me below, gentlemen, to the
stewards pantry"
The witnesses looked round on one
another in the profoundest astonish-
ment and followed.
''Pickerel," said the captain, address
ing the steward, "bring out the scales.
Put clean buster In the tray, DOCTOR"
he continued, "shut the doors of the
sleeping berths for fear of the women
hearing anything and oblige me by
bringing those two babies in here"
"Oh, sir" exclaimed Mrs. Drabble,
who had been peeping guiltily into the
pantry-"oh, don't hurt the little dears!
If anybody suffers let it be me-"
Hold your tongue, if you please,
ma'am," said the captain, land keep
the secret of these proceedings if you
wish to keep your place. If the ladies
ask for their children, say they will
have them in ten minutes time"
clothes basket cradle on the pantry
floor. Captain Gillop Immediately put
on his spectacles and closely examined
the two unconscious innocents who Law
beneath him.
six of one and half a dozen of the
other" said the captain. 81 don't see
any difference between them. Wait a
I do
baby. Very good. Well begin with
that one. Doctor, strip the bald baby
and put him in the scales"
The bald baby protested in his own |
language, but in vain. In two minutes
he was fiat on his back in the tin tray. |
with the clean duster under him to |
take the chill off.
weigh him accurately. Pickerel."
continued the captain. weigh him if
necessary to an eighth of an ounce.
gentlemen. watch this proceeding
closely It's very important one"
While the steward was weighing and
the witnesses were watching Captain
Glllop asked his first mate for the log
book OF the ship and for pen and ink.
captain, opening the book.
Seven pounds one ounce and q quar-.
ter" answered the steward.
Right, gentlemen" pursued the
captain.
Quite right" said the witnesses.
BALD child, distinguished as No. I.
weight, pounds ~ ounces (avoirdu.
pois)," repeated the captain, writing
Town the entry in the logbook. every
good. Well put the bald baby back
low' doctor, and try the hairy one
lext."
Inc hairy one protested also in his
'wn language and also in vain.
How much, Pickerel?" asked the
,aptain.
Six pounds fourteen ounces and
replied the steward.
Right, gentlemenT' inquired .tbe
'aptain.
Quite right" answered the witness.
IS.
Harry child, distinguished as No. 2:
lGlOht lie,