Jefferson jimplecute. (Jefferson, Tex.) 1907-1926, 1908-03-06

square brass bound chest without ham
dies. The singularity of this unequal
division Of labor struck me at once.
1t struck also one Of the dock men,
who ran forward, eager for tip.
''Kin carry tn box for you, boss?"
he asked, at the same time reaching
for it.
The DOCTORS thin figure seemed fair.
ly to shrink at the idea.
'sNo, mol" he cried. "It is not for
you to carryv'
He fastened up the gangplank,
clutching the chest close. At the top
Captain Selover met him.
''Hello, DOCTOR" he squealed. "Here
in good time. We're busy, you see.
Let me carry your chest for you"
: "No, mop DR.. Schermerhorn fairly
glared.
''It's almighty heavy" insisted the
captain. "Let me give you a hand"
"You must not touchv' emphatically
ordered the scientist. "Where ISIS the
cabin?"
He disappeared down the compan-
ionway clasping his precious load.
The young man remained on deck to
superintend the slowing Of the scien-
tific goods and the personal baggage.
All this time I had been thinking
busily. I remembered distinctly one
other instance when Dr.. Schermerhorn
had disappeared. He came back in
SnrJ1f1 h1r hI1f rrithi,, I,
suits on aerial photography We're pub
lie property. told myself that in the
present instance his lavish use of mon
ey, the elaborate nature of his prep
arations, the evident secrecy of the ex-
petition as evidenced by the fact that
he had negotiated for the vessel only
the day before setting sail, the impor-
lance of personal supervision as proved
by the fact that he-notoriously i'm
practical in practical matters and no.
toriously disliking anything to do with
business had conducted the affair
himself instead Of delegating it-why,
gentlemen, don't you see that all this
was more than enough to wake me up,
body and soul? Suddenly 1 came to
a definite resolution. Captain Selover
had descended to the pier. I approach
ed him.
"You need mate" said 1.
He looked me over
Perhaps" he admitted "Where's
your man"
Fright here" said 1.
HiS avas 1yi1ona1 Iift1n GO
he showed no sign of surprise. ]
cursed my clothes.
Fortunately I had my masters Ger.
tificate with me-I'd passed fresh wa.
ter on the great lakes-I always carry
that sort of document on the chance
that it may come handy. 1t CHANGED
to have couple Of naval indorse.
ments, results of the late war.
Look here" I said before 1 gave
1t to him. "You don't believe in me-
My clothes are too good. That's all
right. They're all I have that are
good. I'm broke. I came down here
wondering whether I'd better throw
myself in the drink"
You look like dude" he squeaked
where did you ever ship?"
I handed him my certificate. The
Endorsements from Admiral Keays and
Captain Arnold impressed him. He
stared at me again, and a CLEAN OF
cunning crept into his eyes.
Nothing crooked about this?' he
breathed softly.
/ had the key to this side Of his
character. You remember / had over
heard the night before his statement
Of his moral scruples.. I said nothing
but looked knowing.
what was IT." he mu,mured
Plain desertion or something worse? p
l remained inscrutable
well" he conceded, ~ do need {
mate, and naval man-even if he l.
wantin' to get out Of sight
HE won't spit On your decks any
way" broke in boldly.