The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-06-06

than ever the appearance OF being over
spared: an opinion in which, as II soon
appeared, I was not alone.
Most Of the men left the dockyard and
went home (as i suppose) To their din
ner; but half dozen or so OF riggers. in
stead OF following the example OF the
others. routed out from some obscure
spot certain small bundles tied up In
colored handkerchiefs. and. bringing these
on shore, seated themselves upon some OF
the boxes and casks with which the
wharf was numbered, and. opening The
bundles, produced therefrom their din
ners. which they proceeded to discuss with
quite an enviahle appetite
For few minutes the meal proceeded
in dead silence; but presently one OF
them, glancing aloft at the Daphne $
spars. remarked in tone OF voice which
reached me dlstinctly-T was standing
within n few feet OF the party:
well. Tom. bo'; what dye think of the
hooker now7'
The man addressed shook his head dis
approvingly "The more I looks at her
the less likes her. was his reply.
I'm precious glad amt goin' to sea
In her" observed another.
Same here" said the first speaker.
why, look at the Siren over there! She $
a 3S-gun frigate, and her mainmast is only
two feet longer than the Daphnes-as
happen to know, for i had a hand in
the buildin' OF both the spars. The sloop's
overmasted that's what she is.'
l turned away and bent my steps home-
ward. The short snatch OF conversation
which l had just heard. confirming as IL
did my own convictions, had a curiously
depressing effect upon me, which was In
creased when, few minutes afterwards,
l caught a glimpse of the distant buoy
which marked the position of the sunken
Royal George.
For the moment my enthusiasm was all
gone; foreboding OF disaster took pos
session OF me, and but for very shame /
felt more than half inclined to tell my
father / had altered my mind and would
rather not go TO sea. had occasion
Afterwards to devoutly wish I had acted
on this lUpulse.
When, however, I was awakened next
morning by the sun shining brilliantly IN
at my bed room window, my apprehen-
sions had vanished. my enthusiasm was
again at fever heat, and painted for the
moment-not to be very long deferred
when l should don my uniform and strut
forth to sport my glories before an admir-
ing world.
Punctusl almost 10 a moment-for once
at least In his life-Mr Shears GENT home
the uniform whilst we were sitting down
TO luncheon; and the moment that de-
Gently could / FASTENED away to try IL
on
The breeches were certainly rather
wrinkly above the knees, and the jacket
was somewhat uncomfortably tight across
the chest when buttoned over; II also
pinched me a good deal under the arm
pits, whilst the sleeves exhibited a trife
too much-some six inches OF so-of my
wristbands and shirt sleeves and when
| looked at myself I'm the. glass I found
that there was well-denned ridge OF
loose cloth running across the back from
shoulder TO shoulder.
With these trifing exceptions, however.
thought the suit fitted me fairly well.
and | FASTENED down stairs 20 exhibit my
self 70 my sister Eva. To my intense
surprise and Indignation she no sooner
saw me than she burst into an uncon-
trollable at OF laughter. and was heartless
enough TO declare that looked "a per
feet fright" Thoroughly dsgusted with
such unsisterly conduct mustered an my
dignity, and without condescending 60 ask
for an explanation, walked In contemp-
tuous silence out OF the room and the
house.
TTo hs continually