The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-09-16


monkey that swinging himself to and fro in the heat
sackened shroud and the discordnt squawng OF some
tame parrots on the forecastle -..."-
group of officers lolled against the after-ra, and
three four youngsters, little apart from them had
just finished whispered conversation But for some
minutes there a loud word spoken thruout
ship There was thought present in the minds and
hearts of ALL from the captain i'll and half deirlous with
Bobby Seymour who had had lump in his throat for the
past twenty four hours-one thought, over and over;
home, home, home.
It was early the evening night before Christ
saggng windsail that hung down the forward
hatchway like huge empty trousers leg, swayed little,
and the movement caught the junior lieutenants eye
'The land breeze! Feel it' he said lifting his hand
if to enforce silence.
Warm, and almost fetid with indescrbable odor
breath had crpt softly the water from the low
lying African eoasta breath redolent of swamps of
strange unhealthy products of the overheated EARTH su
gestive of fever that burned into the bones.
~ don't like it, said Bobby Seymour wriggling his
small shoulders He spoke in a alfwhisper. "I wish
at Irvngton with the river all iced up, the sleigh
bells jingling- jangling everywhere, and
"oh quit please won't yGu' interrupted the
they What wouldn It we all give Then he shut
his lips firmly without finishing his sentence ''Hear
that surf'' he added after moment silence
|tI wonder if couldn't get the Kroomen to sing
something jolly for tonight? suggested one Of the
larger midshipmen.
II think the old is too i'll to stand much cele-
bratng just now' spoke up another But say, Rem
son. let's if can't get ashore tomorrow and get
something fresh to eat I'm sick Of this old hooker any
good we're doing here.''
This fact Watching for avetraders under such
restrictive orders from the Washington as
precuded faintest possibility of making capture
far from exciting and besdes the gongson at home had
produced feeling of uneasiness shpboard for this
the troublous winter of '6O-1.
It was little that things doleful board
the old this particular Christmas eve, and it
passed like the evening of any other day
morning. gazed up the huge deck beams of the steer
age, and suddenly remembered something.
He slid out of his hammock and scrambled to the
that had his initials the lid He opened it, and
dug neatly tied package from It was ad
dressed to him with his full title, and inscribed,
''Not to be opened until Xmas day.
He craWed over to open port, and sitting down
the deck defty undd the wrapping But he paused for
minute before he looked to what contained, and
his took the sghtles expression Of deep thoughts
far away as he gazed out over the sea.
The flaming above the tree-tops the distant
shore, and the morning breeze futered the hair
of his toused curly head.
But Bobby did not see the sun nor feel the breeze He
wide stretch of owcovered lawn, with the pine
branches that lined the driveway weighted down. and
each elm and apple beugh all asparkle in of ice,
and the sleighbel]s 'ngejangling'' everywhere. He
knew how his skates looked hanging up the nail be-
hind the door, and his hockey-stick, and his sled He
could smell the hot buckwheat cakes and hear his little
sisters laughing.
''They'd just be taking down their stockings,' he
said, CULVER coming to his eyeid.
In truth Midshipman Bobby Seymour nothing but
boy, and not very tall He looked younger
than he really was as ne sat there on the deck huggng
his bare knees to his chn the still unopened package
held tightly under his arm and If tear did roll down his
all the way down his neck beneath his collar
it was nothing to be ashamed Of.
''Mr Seymour broke in voice that brought back
the and the smell of the ship quite suddenly Mr
Jephson wishes to see you on deck possible
SIR .....a-
Bobby made dash at his eyes with the back of hi
hand and looked up at the big redmustached orderly
every good be up there right away, he answered
Then he and hurried into his things, only CLAN
cling into the package and catching sight of two thre
letters and mysterious objects done up tissue
paper
AS he deck he walked quietly aft and touched
his cap. Mr. Jephson, the executive officer, him.
s.Ah, Mr.. Seymour merry Chrstmasi'' he remarked
much if it the usual thing to say. tI have
work for your boats crew. sir. just step here min
ute.''
Bobby fastened to the quarterback.
stThere, you that9' said the lieutenant, point
ing toward dark green line of coast that whit
thing floating there, mile from shore9'