The Miller sun. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 190?-19??, 1906-05-30
-And the standing rigging is all upfs

boy standing in the stern of it propelled
it rapidly with half an oar. Presently It
came alongside some Shiny steps near to
them, and the two men stepped into it
without speaking. There was something
hereditary in the awkward manner in
which the boy jerked his hand up to his
forehead by way of salutation- They all
stood up in the BOAT, the older men sway
ing uncomfortably from side to side at
each frantic effort of the boy with the
half oar.
When they reached the steamer Tyars
clambered up the side first, stepping on
board with the air of man we'll ac-
quainted with every corner of the ship.
He looked around him with an uncon-
scious pride of possession at which a
yachtsman would have laughed, for there
was no great merit in being the owner of
such ludicrous and strange craft. Pc
tiers, the red-faced sailor, followed, and
minute examination of the vessel be-
gan. Below, on deck and up aloft the
two men overhauled together every foot
of timber, every bolt and Selling. The
taciturn old fellow followed his employ
er without vouchsafing a word of praise
of his own handiwork. He did not even
deign to point out what had been done,
but followed with his head bent forward,
his knotted fingers clasped behind his
back. AS it happened there was no need
to draw attention to such details, for
here again Tyars displayed the unerring
powers of his singular memory No tiny
alteration escaped him. There seemed to
be in his mind a minute inventory of the
ship, for without effort he recalled the
exact state of everything at an earlier
period, vaguely designated as before l
went away"
When the inspection was finished the
two men walked slowly aft, and, stand
ing there beside the high, old-fashioned
wheel, they gazed forward.
Il believe" said Tyars, at length, that
| have found the man want-my first
mate"
AYE" said the old fellow, in a nom
committal voice.
"a royal navy man."
There was the faintest whistle audible
in the stiffness of the deserted dock.
Tyars looked down at his companion,
whose gaze was steadily riveted on the
foretop-gallant mast. The whistle was
not repeated, but the straightforward
sailor disdained to alter the form of his
twisted lips.
Il had," continued Tyars, calmly, IAN
other very good man-cook and steward
but he died of yellow fever"
Peters turned slowly and contemplate
ed his employers face before answering.
say"
This fellow was just the sort of chap
l want. Plenty of hard work in him,
and always cheerful. Sort of man to die
laughing, which, in fact, he did. The
last sound that passed his lips was a
laugh"
As they were standing there, Peters,
the younger, emerged from the small gal
ley amidships, bearing a tin filled with
potato Feelings, which he proceeded to
throw overheard. Seeing this, the proud
father eyed his employer keenly, and
moved from one sturdy leg to the other.
He clasped and unclasped his hands. At
last he throw up his head boldly.
And the lad?" he said, with some
abruptness.
Tyars looked critically at the youth
and made no answer. His face hardened
in some indescribable way, and from the
movement of mustache and beard, it SEEM
ed as if he were biting his lip.
There's plenty o work in him, an
he's cheerful" almost pleaded the man.
Tyars shook his head firmly. Had
Miss Winter seen his face then, she
would have admitted readily enough that
he was man with a purpose.
He is too young Peters"
The carpented shuffled awkwardly, his
lips close pressed.
"Have we thowt on it?- he inquired.
Tyars nodded.
I'D give five years O. my life to have
the lad WI u.s." he muttered.
Cant do it. Peters"
'Then / Wilma go without him." said
Peters, suddenly. He thrust his hands
into his trousers pockets and stood look
ing down at his own misshapen boots.
The faintest shadow of smile flick
cred through Tyars' eyes, He turned and
looked at his companion. Without the
slightest attempt at overbearance, he
said pleasantly:
Yes, you will, and some day you will
thank God that the boy was left behind
Peters shrugged his shoulders and
made no answer. For the first time In
his life he had met will equal to his
own in stubbornness, in purpose. And IL
was perhaps easier to give in to ii be-
cause In method 1t differed 50 entirely
from his own. 1t Is possible that tn the
mere matter Of strength Peters was
mental match for his employees, but Ty.
airs had the inestimable advantage OF ed
ucation.
The little boat was urged to the shore
In the usual jerky manner, while the
clumsy, rsd-faced sailor stood watching
from the deck. he noted how Tyars was
talking to the boy, who laughed at times
In CHEEKY way.
"Ay," muttered Peters, WITH q short,