Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-08-08

 wise trip. MT! Cross, chief officer, 5 temporarily free from the cares of office. leaned over the port rail, < gazed at the sun-lit harbor and chewed meditatively. ! Capt. Snow, i. emerging from the ' cabin, gazed wistfully at his Smate , and filling his pipe in nervous and s distraught manner, walked over and leaned beside him.
 ''I want your advice and your as- { sistance, George" said the captain. ''You're good at arrangin' things. You know Mrs. Bland?"
 "The fed-haired widow of Water etreet?' asked Mr. Cross. I "Golden hair. not red" corrected | Capt Snow "Yes: she is the lady. I've been visitin' her for three years, : and want to sign charter papers with her for life's wage"
 ''I don't favor marryin'," put in MT. Cross.
 $ 'I know you don't" replied the ! captain, land from what you've told me, I don't blame you, but for that reason your experience is vallyble. ; Some people don't knowzwomen." "I do,'' said Mir. Cross, viciously.
 "All women ain't alike" urged the 3 captain.
 q stIn respect to maxim their hus-. 9 bands uncomfortable with fussin' all are alike in nay eyes" retorted Mir Cross, firmly.
 Without contesting this pessinnistic position, Capt. Snow hurried on:
 ''I want your advice, George, about askin' her to consent"
 "Haven't you asked her?" inquired Mir. Cross, with surprise.
 .''I haven't" admitted the captain ''I don't just see my way. I've 8 rival, George"
 "Ah,. said the mate. aasaasA fellow named Brent has been a.aSisitin' her regular for the past two. weeks, and he seems to draw deal of water. He's one of those dressy chaps, somewhat younger than I am"
 "I guess he is,' remarked Mir. Cross, abstractedly. @a
 Capt. Snow gazed resentfu11y at his head officer a moment. ! then smothering his. wrath, continued:
 "I want to slenow how to shut the wind out of his sails?'s
 .sLick hin,'' replied the mate. tersely.
 t'That wouldn't do. If beat him up bad, she'd be sure to pity him. and that's next to lovin'."
 ''Let him batter you up, then" ad- sised Mir. Cross.
 But Capt. Snow objected to this plan and1 asked for some other idea.
 Mr. Cross spat out his quid, looked bis commander. in the face and said, with earnestness: "This calls for di- p1omacyj" @
 'sWhat sort of rig is that?" in- auired Capt. Snow.
 .Diplornacy,'' said Mr.. Cross. sis Bailin due north and maxim every body think you are sailin' due south" @
 Capt. Snow opened his eyes.
 "Yes," continued the mate. 1T can make this lady hoist her colors so we can tell just how she feels towards you, and she won't know what we are doin'. .'S5s-,.
 Capt. Snow expressed desire to Aear the plan.
 "Women,'' said Mir. Cross. Ego crazy over bravery. In all the stories they fall in love with the fellow what res coos them from bull or, fire, TO matter what sort of 1ubber he is Ny plan is this: You ask Mrs. Bland Co tea on this schooner tomorrow evenin'. Whom we're all moored at the table I'll get Tommy, the cabin boy, to fall overheard. He can swim like duck, and the weather's SC warm he won't mind it. Then I'll call man overheard and you'll jumr up and pile overboard-'
 Who'll pile overboard?" inter Pupted the captain.
 You will," replied Mir. Cross, calm. ly. "You'll pile overheard and save the lad. When she sees you over in the river. if she loves you she'll squea1 out for you to save yourself for her sake. if she don't, it's best you should know how she feels.
 'tIt might york;" muttered the captain.
 Might work--it will work said MT. Cross. q can hear her now crv. En' cut for you not to get drowned
 Capt. Snow was plainly moved by &his picture.
 "Well,'' said he. "I don't mine < trying it.''
 "All right" exclaimed the diplo matist, "I'll be handy with line ant If a man-eatin' shark is coming afte you I'll jump over with my knife.''
 Capt. Snow looked searching1y a his mate. but that gentleman's fac ssbeing unrufaed, he sighed and wen below.
 The invitations to the feast, em bracing Mrs. Bland and her marie, sister, were sent out. and on the ap