Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1908-02-11
Hoy a Marine
Slipped His Gable.


he uavy n hundred years ago. when
TIE men We're treated more like hrutcs
/ ihnn human beings. instead of today
wiicn every sailor. whether officer or
Natural tvrants who are ny nature IT,
raanl.'al. ana Peabody was one OF
:brlu. though lie kept within the reg
u!n'ions. using insult instead of com-
hitting n violation OF IN officers re-
s;riciions.
Tom Spencer was marine on board
United states cruiser. He was n
good soldier. always spick and span
ana was we'll educated The reason
Cor his cnllstlig in the marine corps
was that he hoped some day by good
conanct to secure IL commission. For
some reason or other Peabody con-
rcirra Il dislike for Spencer Some
said the reason was tliut PEABODY had
been appointed To the academy from
tic gutter and II had failed TO make
him anything but Il gutter snipc. while
Spencer had enlisted from the parlor
and could only be II gentleman. Re
THIS as II may. whenever Peabody got
a chance to put the screws on 10 Spcn-
cor lie did 1t in rs irritating and dis
agreeable fashion as II could he done.
There was n fire smoldcrlnG in Spcn-
GERS breast which nothing but the inu-
tiny laws could keep from breaking
'u' into volcanic eruption.
There had been liberty party on
shoe and some of the leave men had
~; 3to fight with the na,fvcs-thc
cruiser was lying OF the coast Of
i'crn--nnd when they returned Pea
body WINS officer of the deck Spencer
was one Of them and gave evidence OF
hls part In the fracas Ivy having his
Uniform torn to shrcds. Peabody seized
upon this 10 storm mt him AMI his
hat I'd getting the better Of his dis
csr.on, used II common opprubrions
cpi;het in connection with Spcncer's
mother. Like flash the marines right
arm went out. ana the ensign went
spinwllng OF the deck.
Here was q case OF muiiny. In some
~ he worlds navies even in time Of
peace to strike an officer means death.
Tho pcunity is not SO severe IN the
United States navy. but 1t means i'm
rrisonment. Spencer was put in irons
and charges preferred against him.
II was in the hot scnson. and there IL
no telling how long timc nny clapse
l'cfnre mnn may bc brought before
court martial. II was probable that
Spencer would either be sent home I'M
de- guard for trial or would he held
till tic cruiser went north. II was too
iio, 10 keep him between decks for All
indefinite time. and he wae given the
liberty of the ship during thS day. only
being put into the brig ut pipe down"
The ships master Mt arms was made
responsible for him and watched him
10 see that he didn't get away tn shore.
II was grim prospect for the prison
or, The insult he had received would
he no pallntion for his olfensc. lie
might have preferred chargcs against
Peabody. but on no account could he
have taken the law into his hands. In
stead of u commission. he would doubt
less get mt the least calculation dis.
honorable discharge and several years
at some naval prison. He WAS HE Pie.
ture OF voc as he luunged about and
an object of sympathy with his ship
mates. who hated Peabody.
Spencer. who was IN the social
scale far above his comrades, had but
few Intimate companions. His only
chun was Bob Sawin. w.iuse father
was captain or merchant vessel.
Bob was Il great scapegracc ard gen
orally conceded TO he the most reckless
man on the cruiser.
The trouble on land had subsidized and
liberty parties were again going ashore.
They usually left tic ship at four bells
In the evening One afternoon Snwin
put In an application FOR liberty. There
was young ensign aboard who had
been III ever since the cruiser had left
United States shores. and Oh this very
afternoon he had returned 10 duty aud
WIS officer OF the deck. 1t was his
rart TO call or the names OF the liberty
party.
When Sawin's name was called
Spencer. well got up in his hest uni
form for shore leave. stepped forward
with Here sir" snluted. went down
the ladder and took Ills place IN The
launch The ensign didn't know him
from any other marine. There was
suppressed surprise OH the fnccs OF the
men who knew we'll enough that Spen-
Ger was not Sawin. but never man
spoke. and when the party was check
cl OF the cutter bore them, Spencer
sitting In the stern sheets. 10 the dock.
Meanwhile Bob Sawin WINS hiding
under tarpaulin on the fo'c'slc.
There lie remained till darkness spread
a friendly mantle far more to the pur-
pose. then let himself steaithily down
by the anchor Chains. dived. swan
under water rs far as he could hold