The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1903-09-18
DINNER on .
THE GRIP
by a. ZVAELIE
Copy right, 1903, by T. C. Mcclure

Captain Alexander Mather of the
steam coaster Grip was hurrying along
Cardiff street backward To his vessel
when lie was accostcd b. Il youngish
MAN smartly attircd In yachting COS
tune.
Captain Mathcr:" the stranger que
ricd
That's me-" the sailor rctortcd gruff-
ly enough. having all the dislike of his
class toward the average amateur sea-
man.
You were pointed out to me as mas
ter of Il boat just leaving for Southamp-
ton. | want 10 20 there at once
The hint was obvious enough, but
Mathcr did not choose to follow it up.
Take the train, then" he replied. PAS
scngcrs amt in my line"
$50 l would - the young man ap-
pcarcd disposed to be persistcnt-"but
| have a lot of heavy baggage here, ard
| wish 1t to accompany me to my yacht.
which is lying off COwes. II you'll take
it and me I'll make it we'll worth your
while"
The captain hcsitatcd. The Grip pos
SrSScd small accommodation for outSid-
crs. but job like this might mean
something In the shippers pocket.
Well" he said. surveying the stran-
ger over again, my ship amt liner.
You know. but just coastin' tramp
covered this blessed minute with coal
muck that won't come off her till she
starts washin' herself outside Lundy."
His new acquaintance seemed i'll no
way dismaycd at this description.
That will bo all right, captain he re-
turned Come In here minute and
let us talk it over"
The place thus Indicated was an nd
iacrnt bar, where over suitable drinks
the yarhtsman continued negotiations.
There are about Il dozen large wood
en- cases. he went OH, with furnish
ingS and my own outfit for II long West
Indian cruise. l should have sent them
on ahead of me but for some stupid de-
lay. and now if l lose sight of them
heaven knows how long l may be kept
waiting for them"
WHAT'S your yachts name:' de-
mandcd Mather.
The stranger took out his cardcaSe.
"You are Il hit suspicious" he said
pleasantly enough, but we'll have ev-
crything fair and square" He handed
over card as he spoke, and on il the
sailor read: az. V. Rentore, S. Y. Sea
Swift X. u. y. c.
The first names were unknown to
Mathcr, but the last four cryptic let
tCrs he was aware represented the title
of one of the most exclusive clubs in
the kingdom.
"Thcn, sir" he said with an obvious
change of manner, IF you want me to
take your things it will have to be ar
ranged quickly. I'll he haulin' out for
sea i'll a couple of hours. If they are
not too heavy and you have them
alongside within that time l might
manage"
My man shall have the cases down
within the time you s:y-they are not
heavy, and Your own crane will easily
swing them on board. And as to terms
will E2n suit you:'
The sailor gasp"d. He had not eX-
pcctrd nearly 50 much.
IF you'll throw in the price Of new
hat for myself. sir" he responded
quickly, well call it n deal"
"Goodw Rcntore produced his purse.
Heres half of it now, and Il couple of
sovcrcigns for yourself"
Thus the bargain was sealed, and
Mathcr, much clatcd ut his fortune
made his way down to the Grip. lie
had not been long there when wagon
appeared, bearing the cases and es-
cortcd by man of the valet type.
There's the stuff" the latter grum'
blcd to the skipper, and what the
gov'n0r wanted travelling with it In a
coal barge for don't know. Is your
ship safe, captain:'
Mathcr surveyed him scornfully
"Shc'll carry you. my son." he retort
cd sarcastically.
The servant scowled. Il 'ope so, y
he replied with meaning. Anyway
you'd best see the goods are kept right
side up-thcy'rc all marked for that
Presently Rcntorc himself clambcred
on board.
"Ah." he remarked, smiling In the
pleasant way he had. Il see you have
my dunnagr. captain. Are you going
to carry all the cases on dcckT
Yes, sir" answered Ma'ther. The
weather is fine and they'll be safe
lashCd"
The dock gates just then opening. the
captain took his post on the bridge
while the passenger went below to sec
his accommodation
Nor did Mathcr set eyes on hin
again until the Grip had opened on
the channel and in the growing dusE
the light on Flntholmc was commenc
ing to twinkle far nstcrn. Then he me-
the skipper as the latter was descend
ing from the bridge.
Como along captain" h" said. "rv(
taken the liberty of making myself a
homc-Sot my man to overlook YOU
cook and have bit of dinner ready fol
YOU"
In response 10 this invitatiOnthe sail
or passed below to encounter scene
such. as the dinGy saloon of the tranll
had not seen since her long past tra
trip, if then. The table was set will
crystal on spOtlrss linen, silver anc
flowers garnishcd it, and the swinging
tray above sparlilcd with bottles full
of such wines as the captain had sci
dom seen nearer than across Il bal
counter.
81 told you I'd make myself comfort
able" Rcntorc laughed at the othcr''
amazelncnt THE hotel people pu
some q& this up for me, but your cool
uIu the rest, so sit down and do hin
Justice"
Captain Mathcr was sufficient OF
philosopher to accept the gifts tn,
gods thus sent. He sat down as re
quested, and if his handling of hi
knife and fork left something TO b
desired his appreciation of the mca