Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1906-02-02
A FRIE ND IN NEED.
From the Washington Star.

? "nen the train from chicago pulleu INTO
the Broad street station in Philadelphia
the bluejacket who was sleeping In the
rear right-hand seat of the smoke was
awakened by the scurrying past him of
men whose journey was finished. He
rubbed his eyes with his huge paws and
gazed about him.
What port is this, mater he inquired
of one of the departing passengers.
philadelphia" replied the passenger.
do you get off here?"
mo, I'm for Washington" replied the
deep-sea sailor, pulling off his cap and
scratching his head and then settling back
in his seat YEARLY, with the cap over his
eyes.
He drove his tongue in and out of his
mouth as If he might be pretty dry. He
was q big, bro~ad-shouldered man, under
forty, with a rudy, open, rather fine coun-
t~enance, albeit somewhat swollen, mixed
gray hair, and muscles that swelled prodig-
iously beneath his blue mastering shirt.
His cap ribbon bore the name of the ship
recently returned from the Asiatic station,
n now lying ut the Mare Island navy
yard, Cal. On his starboard arm was the
silver eagle, with the worked wheel be-
meath, and below that the chevrons denot-
ing him a quartermaster, first class, United
States navy.
When the train began to fill up for the
trip to Washington, a fat, genial looking
man entered the smoker and took a seat
directly in front OF the bluejacket, who
kept his cap pulled over his eyes, and re-
tanned that i~ndefinable look worn by men
who cannot see many better things In life
than a good, stiff drink when they stand
in need of the same. But no drink was in
sight, and so, when the train was again
under way, the bluejacket gave his cap an
additional tug forward over his eyes and
settled back still deeper in his seat.
When the train was we'll out of Philadel-
phia the fat, genial looking man in the
seat ahead of the bluejacket opened his
valise and pulled out a large silver flask.
He extended the flask to the parched look
ing sailor man.
Hey, pail he said to the sailor, take
a hack at this. It's something pretty
tidy"
The bluejacket took the extended flask
and grinned wanly.
Thanks. mate" said he. II wouldn't
care a boot If 1t was mixed sheIlac and
wood alcohol, so It's got the jolt. I'm in
proper need Of a DOW all right"
He put the flask to his lips and let three
heavy gulps roll down his throat.
THAT amt 10 drink" said the fat,
genial looking man, depreciatingly, when
the sailor offered him back the flask.
Take a real dip, and then I'm with you"
Tx DluCJdIpCL lOOh k"o w IL .
and handed the flask back to his deliyerer,
who took a pretty big swig himself.
Maybe that wasn't just like gettin' into
a coral locked harbor half a bell before a
typoon," said the bluejacket, wiping his
lips with the sleeve of his blue shirt. II
needed that, mate. First, I've had since
breakin' out O. Pittsburg. Wait till we get
to Washington and IN blow you back"
Then they fell to talking.
fGIf'v N unoH thing r phinpa1 vnacatf thu
$500 bunch before 1 left Frisco said the
sailor to the fat man with the flask. 1T
was the foziest move / ever made, and I've
been swingin around for a long watch in
this uniform. Been tryin' to get back 10
Washington-that's my home-for twelve
year. Never made 1t stick yet. Always
took all o. me payday along with me when
me time was up out on the Pacific station
'or the China station, and always went
broke before / got half way along here.
This time / pinched out $500 for pocket
change after buyin' me ticket straight
through from Frisco to Washington, and
sent meself. by express, to Washington,
the other $500 of me payday. All / got to
do when / get to Washington is to call at
the express office and pass EN- me name
and get the $500. Then l take a brace and
go and see the old folks"
How bout the 500 pocket changer"
asked the fat, genial looking man, not in
an inquisitiye tone, but just to Keep the
talk a-going.
TOO deep for me- replied the tar. at
went this way and that. / got left every
time 1 got off the train, once at a place
called the Needles down In the southwest,
and again at a punk little place called La
Junta, in Colorado l think that is, and in
Kansas City and in Chicago, and last at
Pittsburg. Don't know where me kit is,
but / guess 1t went right ahead and is
waiting for me In Washington. The 800
wasn't no better'n a feather bed down be-
low. considerin' the number OF times the
train pulled out without me. and / blew me
last yen in Pittsburg. 1t nd ha' been all
the same II I'd had the other $500 along
with me, and that's why I'm giving meself
his admirai S salute for sending II on
ahead. y
A Washington detective happened to be
seated right across the way from the fat
genial looking man and the sailor. II
struck the Washington detective hat the
blueJacket was giving up a trifie too much
information 70 q stranger with reference to
that $500 bundle awaiting him ut The Wash
ington end Of the line. The detective con-