Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1906-05-04
CHAPTER XIV


iohged to do something also.
But it was only at times that Miss
| winter gave way to this weakness. and
she was very quiet about it. When tha
paroxysm was upon her, she put on
thick veil her quietest dress and took
the omnibus to Tower Hill
She was too we'll acquainted with the
world to go empty-handed and to make
those trivial mistakes by which many
WeL-meanlng women reduce charity to
the Iudlcrous. She had an old bag sDe-
clally devoted to this secret vice, for one
cannot carry half pounds of butter, pack
cts of tea, and pounds of raw sausages in
ones best handbag.
The recipients of her charity were a
race of men overlooked by charity Or
carnations, ignored by those bland dis
tributors of leafet literature who call
| themselves the Sailors Friend. Very few
| people find themselves by accident in the
London Dock or the ST. Katherines
| Dock; in fact, both these basins are rath-
er difficult to find.
The shipkeeper is strange, amphbi-
Gus creature. His calling is afloat his
business on the waters, and yet he is no
sailor. In buster times he rarely spent
more than two months on board of one
ship now there are men living week
after week, month after month, year after
year on the same vessel. Many of them
| never set foot outside the dock gates
some there are who remain af1oat always.
| Miss Winter had heard of these ships,
and from different sources she gradually
| learned that there were men living on
board of them; men whose lives were al
| most as solitary as that of a sailor cast
upon some desert island. 1t seems strange
that within the roar of city life, almost
within stones throw of the crowded
streets, there should be men living day
after day without speaking a word to
their fellow creatures. For if they do
not choose to come ashore, certainly no
one will trouble to go on board and see
them.
In course of time she evolved the idea
of going to the docks to see if it was
difficult to get on board these ships, and
there she discovered that there was moth
ing easier. 1t was merely a matter of
paying, as it is in every other part of the
world.
At first her advances caused consterna-
ton, but, woman like, she gradually made
her way, never being guilty of one retro
grade step. few distrusted her motives,
some thought she was merely fool, 9th
ers concluded she had got religion"
These latter were the first to welcome
her. The explanation was so simple,
and it had served to account for stranger
conduct than this.
One and all appreciated the butter and
the sausage Some made use of the soap,
and few read the newspapers she
brought them.
Soon Miss Winter found that her ad-
vant was looked for. The responsibilities
of beneficence began to make themselves
felt. She commenced to know personally
these quaint old hermits, and found that
tbare were sincere and insincere shipkeep-
ors-sbipkeepers who were interesting and
otbrs who were mere nOnentities On
tbe whole, she gave preference to those
who took the butter and the SauSages and
loft the soap. These latter were old fell
lows who had never washed, and did not
sea tbe good of changing their habits in
IA oca This conservatism Indicated
character worthy of admiration, and supe-
r;or to that of such as asked for more
soan and limited at tracts.
Cba became more and more Interested
IN this work, and lapsed into the habit
~ Going to the docks once a week, at
Iaost As Claud Tyars frequented the
same spot with an equal regularity, their
.,on+;n9 was only a question of time.
1,bav had missed each other several
.;,1ns Inv the merest chance, but at last
-, came face to face in a most unde-
,;oIlo manner. The morning was rather
forov and in consequence the dock was
80 silent and sleeper than usual. Miss
vyinter having just left boat, was
Mounting the steep wet steps from the
oI,oa of the Shiny water, when tan
nan emerging from the fog. came TO
~ ION If the stairs and hailed the BOAT.
..1voit minute" he said; i want
you"
He came down a step or two ana stood
70 one side to let Miss Winter pass
In doing so, he looked at her, ana sne'
glancing up to thank him. gave ii''ie
start. .v horo
Mr.. Tyars? hn
any surprise. Tho
DOCKS have a natural attraction Tor me
a sailor" ,.,,,,
Il forgot" she said, looking calmly
Of him. that you were a sailor.
She had been betrayed into SURPRISE
h,t in a moment her usual alertness re-
e,,rnad 70 her. She passed on, ana ne
followed her. =,
Are YOU alone?" he inquired.
ooh YES" she replied, lightly L am
quite at home here. | come near! eeels
week and interrupt the meditalions -
fbe ship keepers. | look a11er tneIi . .e.n
poral welfare. Il is quite my own ,uea'
| assure you, that | have no connee'ion
wirh any philanthropic society
..rrracts?' be inquired, shortly