The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1908-12-18

over Sans ample proportions. You
must ha' been leading a double life
altogether, SAM
By the following afternoon Sam was
in such a state of collapse that, when
they put in at the small port of
Withersea to discharge a portion of
their cargo, he obtained permission to
stay below in his bunk. Work pro-
ceeded without him, and at nine
o'clock in the evening they sailed
again, and it was not until they were
a couple of miles on their way to
| Dimport that Mr.. Legge rushed aft
| with the announcement that he was
| missing.
Don't talk nonsense" said the skip
| per, as he came up from below in re-
! Spouse to hail from the mate
| It's fact, sir said Legge, shak.
ing his head.
whats to be done with the boy?"
| demanded the mate, blankly.
| Sans unsteady, unreliable, tricky
old man." exclaimed the skipper hot
| ly; 1.-The idea of going and leaving a
| boy on our hands like that. Pm sur
prised at him. I'm disappointed in
Sam-deserting!'
What are you going to do, Billy?'
inquired the cook.
Il dunno" said the boy. miserably
| They came in sight of Dimport Mr.
Legge, who had considerable respect
| for the brain hidden in that small
| head, pointed it out to him.
Boys worried" said the skipper,
aside. to the mate: cheer up, sonny"
| Billy looked up and smiled, and the
cloud which had sat on his brow when
he thought of the cold-blooded deser.
ton OF Mr.. Brown gave way to an ex-
preston of serene content.
At the quay the skipper locked up
the cabin, and then calling on one of
the shore hands to keep an eye on
| the forecastle, left it open for the con-
venience of the small passenger.
| Harry. Charlie and the cook stepped
ashore. The skipper and mate fol-
| lowed, and the latter. looking back
from some distance, called his atten-
! ton to the desolate little figure sitting
on the hatch.
| "Father,' cried a small voice.
"He-he's adopted you now" said
! the skipper, huskily.
Or YOU said the mate II never
took much notice of him."
Its you he's after, tell you," said
the mate. who do you want, Billy"
II want my father cried the youth,
and, to prevent any mistake, indicated
the raging skipper with his finger.
Who do you WANT" beloved the
latter. in frightful voice
Want YOU, father" chirruped
Master Jones.
whats the natter" inquired Mrs.
Hunt, cycling the crowd in amazement
as it grouped itself in anticipation.
Nothing" said her husband, off,
handedly
Who's that boy" cried the inno-
| cent woman.
It's poor little mad boy" began
the skipper; he came aboard"
I'm not mad, father" interrupted
Master Jones.
"A poor little mad boy, continued
the skipper, hastily. who came aboard
in London and said poor old Sam
| Brown was his father"
"No-you, father" cried the boy,
| shrilly
He calls everybody his father"
said the skipper, with a smile of
anguish; that's the form his madness
takes. He called Jem here his father"
No. he didn't" said the mate,
! bluntly.
And then he thought Charlie was
| his father"
No, SIR said Mr.. Legge, with re-
spectful firmness.
Il see,' said Mrs. Hunt, with bit
ter smile, land these men have all
| come up prepared to swear that the
boy said Sam was his father. Haven't
you?"
Yes, num-" chorused the crew, de-
lighted at being understood so easily.
There was an uncomfortable silence
during which the crew, standing for
the most part on one leg in sympathy
with their chiefs embarrassment