The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1904-01-19
A Double Barreled
.-Ruse--

BY j. C. PLUrxNER

CAPT. PRAY gazed placidly around
L. 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 1t"
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 tc
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 B~irkenhead woman and also
says Smiley is coming to Baltimore on
the Grimsby.'
We'll" snapped the captain, as Mr..
Hogg paused.
When the pilot came aboard at the
capes he hands Smiley a letter from
the Baltimore girl raking him fore and
aft, and saying she would have him ar
-refod Faw h-oaoh ~ nrnrnfCn a @ caa1 a q
the ship moored."
Capt. Pray glared at his chief officer.
Where am / going to get a chief en-
gineer if Smiley is put in jail?" he
roared, and the Grimsby barely time
to load and save her charter"
I've thought of that" said Mr..
Hogg, sadly. but some years ago
Smiley did me a 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 1t.
I'm good at these things! l have 1t,
Hogg."
Mr.. Hogg gazed admiringly at his
commander.
Smiley must fall SICK" announced
the captain. briefly.
"Sick!" calculated Mr.. Hogg.
Not real sick. you swab." snapped
the captain, but make believe sick.
Lay In his bunk and groan. She'd never
haul of 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 to pay the lawyers
who'll swarm around you like tugs
about a stranded steamer"
How long must / 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, n l won't
have any lying done. Tell her it may be
smallpox or yellow fever. Stick to
something, Hogg, but don't lie."
you've a great head, sir" remarked
Mr.. Hogg. "I1l work it all right"
when yeu come to the catching part
put on all steam. Hogg,'' advised the
captain. We don't want her coming
to the steamer. but be careful not to
lie."
TN 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 o feeling, my poor fell
low" he asked, in subdued tones.
I'm all right. sir" replied the inva-
lid, sulkily.
"Sh!" 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 aptain.
sternly. this whole thing is done for
your benefit. It's a kind of deception
Mr.. Hogg and l 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.