Oxford eagle., 1903-10-08
A Double -Barreled
--Ruse--
ecopyrIght. is0s, b. DAILY story Pub Coz
BY j. c. PLUMMER

tSopJrikut- tS'ss W D.AtJ SfSsS NV W.
HAPT. PRAY gazed placidiy around
I from the bridge Of the tramp steam
er Grimsby, moored alongside the huge
elevator, when Mr.. Hogg, chief officer.
accosted him.
Smiley is In trouble, SIR" he said
Capt. Pray frowned. "Out with It,"
said he.
"You see," began Mr.. Hogg. Smiley
used to run on the Pillman boats, and
on one of his trips to Baltimore he
meets a young lady. One thing led to
another, and the first thing Smiley
Knows he is engaged to be married to
her. Then he leaves the Pillman line
and goes ON the Grimsby in the Black
sea trade, and never expecting to come
to Baltimore again. he gets engaged to
a girl In Birkenhead."
That's nothing" remarked the cap
tain, disappointedly; "all sailors do
that"
Mr.. Hogg continued: Smiley had a
quarrel with the second engineer of the
Pillman boat. and he knowing all about
the Baltimore engagement. writes the
girl of the Birkenhead woman and also
says Smiley is coming to Baltimore on
the Grimsby."
WELL" snapped the captain. as Mr..
Hogg paused.
when the pilot came aboard at the
capes he hands Smiley letter from
the Baltimore girl raking him fore and
aft, and saying she would have him ar
rested for breach OF promise as soon as
the ship moored."
Capt. Pray glared at his chief officer.
"Where am going to get chief en-
gineer II Smiley is put in jail?" he
roared, "and the Grimsby barely time
10 load and save her charter"
1--WE thought OF that" said Mr..
Hogg, sadly, "but some years ago
Smiley did me favor, and he expects
me to get him out Of this bally bad
mess
'If it wasn't for OBTAINING the steam
er, I'd let him get out of it in his own
bloody way" growled the captain, but
something must be done. Hal" He
slapped the rail sharply, Il have it.
I'm good at these things! | have it,
Hogg."
Mr.. Hogg gazed admiringly at his
commander.
Smiley must fall SICK" announced
the captain, briefly.
"Sick," calculated Mr.. Hogg.
Not rea! sick, you swab." snapped
the captain, "but make believe sick.
Lay in his bunk and groan. Shed never
haul off a sick man to jail"
Mr.. Smiley was not enthusiastic at the
plan, but Capt. Pray waxed eloquent.
you'll lay in jail until you rot,
Smiley" said the captain. You
haven't the money pay the lawyers
who'll swarm around you like tugs
about stranded steamer"
How long must I stay in my bunk?''
asked Mr.. Smiley.
Until the Grimsby pulls out O. dock, "
replied the captain, firmly. With
gloomy forebodings of evil Mr.. Smiley
turned in.
Now, Hogg," exclaimed the captain,
"you go to the girls house and tell her
Smiley is confined to his bunk. Don't
lie. I'm a chapel member, and | won t
have any lying done. Tell her 1t may be
smallpox or yellow fever. Stick to
something, Hogg, but don't lie"
you've great head, sir" remarked
Mr.. Hogg. I'll work it all right"
when you come to the catching part
nut on all steam, Hogg," advised the
captain. I'VE don't want her coming
to the steamer. but be careful not to
lie"
"I'll be careful, sir" said Mr.. Hogg,
winking his eye, and he departed on
his diplomatic errand
Captain Pray then walked on tip
toe TO Smiley's bunk.
How are you feeling, my poor fell
low?" he asked, in subdued tones.
Tin all right, sir" replied the inva-
lid, sulkily.
"Shi" said the captain; don't talk.
I'll get you some beef tea"
This here is only make-belief sick
ness, sir" expostulated the engineer,
uneasily.
"See here, Smiley" said the captain,
sternly, this whole thing is done for
your benefit It's a kind of deception
Mr.. Hogg and | are playing. and want
to keep as close to the truth as can, for
I'm a chapel member and Mrs. Hogg is
a religious woman. Well have to make
this sick business as near to truth as we
can"
Mr.. Smiley sighed.
After you've taken your beef tea I'll
give you nice dose of cod-liver oil ="
announced the captain.
Mr. Smiley disgustedly swallowed the
oil, and then the captain. after sta
tioning burly seaman at the state
room to give the alarm In case of a
crisis. went on deck.
He had just reached the bridge when
Mr.. Hogg excitedly rushed up to him.
They're coming" he gasped.
'Who7" inquired the captain.
THE young lady; and she's fetching
doctor with her."