The Washington herald., 1906-10-14

And I've always been taught 10 be-
Iieve," continued the agent. that booze
exercised a most debasing influence on
mankind: but. with your friend, the ef-
feet is entirely opposite. His skate seems
TO have elevated him.
That's why ! Ike the man." Willie de-
Clared with warm enthusiasm.
The fact did not appeal to him that, as
yet, he warranted no particular reason
Tor admiTing the able seaman. Being
somewhat emotional, the last charter
member of the Seven Bells Club formed
hasty affiliations, and finding that Dir
Barnacle had made an impression on the
soTdid dealer In steamboat tickets. he was
pleased 10 claim that humble mariner as
his friend.
I've got 70 see him now on some spe-
cial matters. 50 goOd-day
With this abrupt farewell. MI BlOke
dashed into the street, An idea possessed
him that IN some way, the old man might
prove useful in the contemplated ocean
voyage. Half a block down he beheld the
sailor, stu sluggishly padding himself
along, with shoulders squared and head
erect. The consciousness Of a noble deed
performed yet infested The brain OF Bill
Barnacle, aIluTtng that person into the
belief that he owned place in the uni
verse.
HuTrying forward, Mr.. Bloke soon over
took his fellow-clubman.
Hello. shipmate," he said. with great
affabiity, fetching the seaman i fat
handed slap between the shoulders.
/ "How's she heading2'
Sonny" replied Bill slewing about.
and regarding Bloke with triumphant
/ gleam in his haif-closed eyes. BLOW me.
/ II you amt too late"
why, what's the hour?" Willie asked.
for the want Of a better reply.
! They got that likewise" said Bill,
executing another cunning leer.
/ Got what?'
! MY watch
Bust your watch. What has that to
1 do with me-
! Nothing special. I reckon. only I see
/ htten for to ten you I've been robbed
already this fling ashore. The blooming
I buccaneers don't never leave nothing,
/ they don't"
/ Good Lord, he takes me for a thief"
/ thought While. bending on the seaman
a look in which anger and amazement did
/ double turn.
/ Bill meanwhile. buttoned his ccat and
/ folded his huge arms across his chest 70
! prevent tne removal Of that valuable
/ garment by some mysterious hocus-p0cus
known only to the daring marauder con-
! fronting him.
Say, I'm not trying 10 hand you
/ lemon. We've met before you know
Your rig IS familiar. that's fact"
Bill admitted. after a bat-like scrutiny
/ "WoJ was you in FORE
I've not been in. whatever YOU mean
/ By that My name is Bloke. Don't you
/ remember me at the party the other
night, along with that human ruin with
| the wooden lEg-Old TokeHs2'
To be sure chuckled Bill why.
/ to be sure. He amt out yet. neither
/ The skipper paid my fine, with cash down
/ too"
Have you been ia jaiI?"
wy not? ! punched him fearful
/ ''Who?''
This here Tokens After you deserts
/ the party. Tokens he allows you're a
! piCkpocket or s8ndbagger in disguise.
! You're "a liar over all. J says to Tokens.
and then gives him one for himself He
/ tries 20 harpoou me with that timber leg
Of his, and the table gets capsized. Him
and me is still afoul OF each other when
i the cops comes busting in vehement, and
treats us 10 "a ride in blue craft with
gong forward, mostly for our health, L
allow" And Ar Barnaelc laughed a
thick. rumbIing laugh.
so you really went TO jail on my ac-
cOunt? Mr Bioke asked. deeply moved
+ wy not? His langwidgc was proper
/ slarderous
You are indeed my friend and I thank
you"
Don't mention It. sonny. don't mention
ID" said the maguan:neus Bill.
But why did you think me q robber
yourself iust uow?"
"Blowed If / know. unless it was
knowed you regular the night of the par
/ u and forgot YOU to-day
Having established identity and honest
intent, the young man laid bare his
I scheme OF travel on the high seas as the
+ pair continued To walk in the direction OF
/ the shipping. lie might have consulted
/ steamship agencies OF guide books for
that matter, bat here was an expert who
could impart inside facts Of the value con-
ceTning the proposed excursion. This in
volved little more than d cheap voyage TO
some crude quarter Of the globe, away
from the haunts of tiendish editors. where
one could rest and think and behold new
scenes, new people, and new customs,
and perhaps write something about them.
Few human beings have yet gone abroad
| without a raging desire to win immoT-
tality in type, and Mr.. BlOke was but hu-
man.
WHEN the young man had done the
mariner regarded him in silence and with
. thoughtful air.
Il wouldn't advise nobody te roam. Ny
idea is for you to pipe down and stay at
home, content TO stand by your trade. OF
whatever you calls it. Forty years ago
I took up sailing and stuck to 1t constant
never caring to ramble none.
Mr.. Bloke laughed. The conceit of q
man who imagined he had not rambled in
fraught with delicious hunlor.
Well I'm going anyhow, said the
prospective tourist. There Is a bunch of
knockers in this town that have put me
on the pork for fair; besides, I can afford
to travel to certain extent.
l. Steam or sail?'
T had decided on a sailing voyage"
Passenger"
Certainly; you don't suppose I would
have myself entered on the manifest or
go as ballast?'
ITO be sure YOU wouldn't" assented
| AR BaTnacle, I'm who's simple mind the
! word passenger wa associated with
vast wealth. How about the Lucy Alice
now, for snug little hooker? Shes a
bark in the South Sea Island trade.
Nothing pa-latial. but she'll float if you
keep her often the bottom. / go out as
chief mate this trip and Capn Jute him
at the party that night, is skipper and
part owner
And if l take passage Wen have the
Seven Bells Club at sea- eh?''
Better stow that club guff. Bill said,
bluntly "Jute got a side on the night
Of the party and coughed up couple OF
iron dollars. thinking he was swift
| sport He's been splitting red ever since.
Re-morse is a tuTrible thing
What sort is the alphabetically, ]
mean?"