Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1906-01-09

III III
EHMS1 raped on the parlor door.
SSsaO Josiah, who had been dressed
since 3, appeared almost instantly.
They walked down to the shore togeth-
F, er, and the captains eyes twinkled as
he noted the elaborate roll in the boys
| walk.
The Mary Ellen was anchored be-
tween the beaches, and they rowed of
to her in q dory. 1t was pitch dark
and cold and raw. Lanterns showed
On two or three Of the other boats near
by, and as Josiah and the captain pull
ed up the eelgrass covered anchor
dim shape glided past in the blackness.
1t was the You and 1, bound out. Ira
Sparrow was at the helm, and he hail
ed the Mary Ellen, saying something
about the weather.
It'll be kind of cam for spell"
replied Captain Fri, "but I wouldn't
wonder If we had some wind fore
night. Here, you, fO'mast hand" he
added, turning to Josiah, "stand by to
git the canvas on her"
1t was after sunrise when they reach
ed the ledge where Goldfish most do con-
gregate The land was mere yellow
streak OH the horizon. The stiff east
erly blow of the day before had left
smooth. heavy swell that, tripping
over the submerged ledge, alternately
tossed the Mary Ellen high in air and
dropped her toward the bottom. 1t
was cold, and the newly risen Decem'
ber sun did not seem to have much
warmth in it. Anchor over the side,
the captain proposed breakfast.
The "able seaman" did not feel very
hungry, but he managed to swallow
hard boiled egg and sandwich and
then, Just to show that he had reached
the dignity Of manhood, leaned back
against the side of the cockpit, lit
cigarette and observed cheerfully,
'This is hot stuff, amt 1t, cap?'
Captain Eri wiped the crumbs from
his mouth, leisurely produced his pipe
and proceeded to I'LL it with tobacco
shaved from chunky plug.
What d. you smoke them things
forY" he asked contemptuously, refer
ring to the cigarette. Nobody but
dudes and sissies smoke that kind OF
truck. Here, take this pipe and smoke
like man"
Josiah looked askance at the prof
fered pipe.
"Oh, no." he said magnanimously,
you'll want it yourself. I'll git along
with these things till l git ashore, then
I'll buy pipe Of my own"
Never you mind bout me. I've got
two or three more below there some
'eres. Take it and light up."
The cable seaman" took the reeking,
nicotine soaked affair, placed it ginger
ly between his teeth, held match to
the bowl and coughingly emitted
cloud of i'll smelling smoke. The pipe
wheezed and gursled, and the Mary
Ellen rocked and rolled.
Now, then" said Captain Eri,
we've sojered long enough. Go below
and bring up the bait bucket and the
lines.''
Josiah staggered into the little cabin,
reappeared with the heavy cod lines
and the bucket Of mussels and watched
while the captain "baited up"
"All ready" said the skipper. 1.-Two
lines apiece, one over each side.
Watch me-"
The cod bit almost Immediately, and
for ten minutes the work was excit-
ing and lively. The captain, watching
from the corner of his eye, noticed that
his assistants pipe was wheezing less
regularly and that his lines were
thrown over more and more listlessly.
At length he said Haven't stopped
smokin' so quick, have you? What's the
matter-gone out? Here's match"
II guess I've smoked enough for
now. l can't fish so well when I'm
smokin'."
"Bosh! If you want to be reel sail
or you must smoke all the time. Light
up."
Reluctantly the boy obeyed and
puffed with feverish energy. Also he
swallowed with vlgor The cod smelled
fshy; so did the bait, and the catboat
rolled and rolled Suddenly Josiah
pulled in his lines and took the pipe
from his lips.
"What's the matterY inquired the
watchful skipper.
T-I guess l won't fish any more,
cap. Kind Of slow sport, amt 1t?
Guess I'll 60 in there and take
snooze"
81 guess you won't! You shipped to
fish, and you're goln' to fish. Pick up
them lines"
The boy sullenly turned toward the
cabin door. "Aw, 60 chase yourself!'
he said contemptuously. A minute aft
er, when he picked himself up from
the heap of slimy fish in the bottom Of
the boat, he saw the captain standing
solidly on one cowhide shod foot, while
the other was drawn easily back and
rested on its toe. When Josiah recov.
cred his breath the burst Of bad Ian
guage with which he assailed his COM
panion did credit to his street bring
ing up. 1t was as short as 1t was
fierce, however, and ended amid the
cod and the mussels from the over
turned bait bucket. But, as the cap
tain said afterward, he was "spunky"
and rose again, incoherent with rage.
"You-you-rll kill you!" he shrek
ed. "You promised not to touch me,
you lynn old''-
He tried to get out Of the way, but
didn't succeed, and this time merely
sat up and sobbed as Captain Fri said
in even tones:
"No, I'm not lyin'. l promised not
10 lay a hand on you in anger. that's
all. Fust place. don't kick with my
hands, and, second place, l amt an
Cry. Now, then, pick up them lines"
The liable seaman" was frightened.
| This sort Of treatment was new to him.
He judged it best to obey now and
"get square" later on. He sulkily
picked up the cod lines and threw the
hooks overheard. Captain Err. calmly