The Starkville news. (Starkville, Miss.) 1902-1960, 1903-08-21
A Tar'S
Diplomacy
BY J. G. pLUMMER
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Copyright, 1905. by Daily Story Pub. Coz

THE schooner Emma Louise hav-
ing discharged her cargo and
taken on ballast for another coast
wise trip. Mr.. Cross, chief officer,
temporarily free from the cares of
office. leaned over the port rail,
gazed at the sun-lit harbor and
chewed meditatively.
Capt. Snow, emerging from the
cabin, gazed wistfully at mis- mate,
and filling his pipe in nervous and
distraught manner, walked over and
leaned beside him.
81 want your advice and your as
sistance, George" said the captain.
"You're good at arrangin' things.
You know Mrs. Bland?"
''The red-haired widow of Water
street?" asked Mr. Cross.
Golden hair. not red" corrected
Capt. Snow. Eyes: she is the lady.
I've been visitin' her for three years,
and l want to sign charter papers
with her for life's wage"
81 don't favor marryin'," put in Mr..
Cross.
81 know you DON'T" replied the
captain, land from what you've told
me, don't blame you. but for that
reason your experience is vallyble.
Some people don't know women"
81 do said Mr.. Cross, viciously.
''All women amt alike" urged the
captain.
''In respect to maxim their hus-
bands uncomfortable with fussin' all
IN
Cross. firmly.
Without contesting this pessimistic
position. Capt. Snow hurried on:
81 want your advice. George, about
askin' her to consent"
Haven't you asked her?' inquired
Mr.. Cross, with surprise.
II haven't" admitted the captain.
''I don't just see my way. I've a
rival. George"
"Ah,' said the mate.
"a fellow named Brent has been
visitin' her regular for the past two
weeks, and he seems to draw a deal
of water He's one Of those dressy
chaps, somewhat younger than I
am"
81 guess he is" remarked Mr.. Cross,
abStractedly.
Capt. Snow gazed resentfully at
his head officer a moment, then
smothering his wrath, continued:
ST want to know how to shut the
wind out of his sails?'
Lick him." replied the mate,
tersely.
THAT wouldn't do. If I beat him
up bad, she'd be sure to pity him, and
that's next to lovin'''
"Lct him batter you up, them" adj
vised Mr. Cross.
But Capt. Snow objected to this
plan and asked for some other idea.
Mr.. Cross spat out his quid, looked
his commander in the face and said.
with earnestness: This calls for di-
plomacy."
'What sort of rig is that?" in
quired Capt. Snow.
Diplomacy" said Mr.. Cross. ''is
sailin' due north and maxim every
body think you are sailin' due
south"
Capt. Snow opened his eyes.
"Yes," continued the mate. ''T 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'."
Capt. Snow expressed desire to
hear the plan.
"Women," said Mr.. Cross, "go crazy
over bravery. In all the stories they
fall in love with the fellow what res
COOS them from bull or a fire, no
matter what sort Of a lubber he is.
NV plan is this: You ask Mrs. Bland
to tea on this schooner tomorrow
evenin' When we're all moored at
the table I'll get Tommy, the cabin
boy, to fall overheard. He can swim
like a duck, and the weather's so
warm he won't mind it. Then I'll
call man overheard and you'll jump
up and pile overheard"
"Who'n pile overboard?" inter-
rupted the captain.
"You WILL" replied Mr.. Cross, calm
ly. t'You'll pile overheard and save
the lad. When she sees you over in
the river, if she loves you she'll
saueal out for you to save yourself
for her sake. if she don't, it's best
YOU should know low she feels.
s.It might work" muttered the
captain.