Gilpin observer., 1908-07-09

AS TO this getting married ana set
tling down." said Capt. Boggs, "Tve
figured it out that l can't lose any
thing. There's bit of property to be
considered too, and then l amt as
young as | used to be, Bob"
You're not" agreed the mate of
the Uncas, heartily. Nor as lively
on your feet, you amt. You've fell
into fat something fierce, and wot
hair there's left on your head amt
worth mentioning"
Never mind about my hair" re-
turned the captain, aggressively
'Tain't hair but brains wot counts.
And yours is mostly slush, fas as l can
see. A man had to know somethin'
to hold his job when | was a mate"
Il wouldn't have thought So" retort-
ed Mr.. Brennan. "Supposin you cut
out the history of your life and get
down to business"
well, it's this way" said the cap
tain. You stand by to give me a
hand. and I'll do the right thing when
1 get the money
"Yes-when you do" remarked the
mate. But when i'll that be?"
Soon as the marriage is over"
said Boggs confidentially. "The moth
well fixed Maggie's an only child,
and has nice fortune comm when
she gets hitched."
How old is she?" inquired the
mate.
Past 90" returned the captain.
His mate INDUCED in sinister
leer
why, you might be her father
he commented, cheerfully.
The captains red face took on a
purple tinge.
"Thatll be enough of your sass"
he growled. This is wot comes of
my condescendin' to let you in on my
private affairs"
Il didn't ask you to-" retorted the
mate. 'Tain't my fault IL the truth
hurts so that you can't bear hearin'
IT. If the girls easy enough to be
taken in by a bloated. hard-headed, So
year-old hazer like you, I'm willin' to
help the trouble along. Wot dye
want me to do?"
Capt. Boggs shook his head pity
ingly.
It's your ignorance makes you so
fmpolite. Bob" he said. complacently:
you don't know any better. But
the points this. Maggie has an idea
that a captains a mighty big man
aboard his ship, and. of course,
want her to keep on thinking so. She
read in the paper the other day
where a captain of one of them war
ships put feller in irons for dis
obeyin' orders. | told her that was
nothing, that l chained up couple
of my men most every trip | made
That might go on the Atlantic"
interrupted the mate. but you'll find
yourself in a queer box il you start
tryin' any such capers with seamen
on the lakes"
Dye take me for born ijit?"
queried the captain, warmly. Don't
know that as well as you? But wot's
to prevent her thinking that | can
hang my men II | want to, providin'
you do wot | ask you? She and her
mothers goin' to take trip to Chi
cago with us, and | mean to show 'em
that I'm the whole thing on this boat
Are you on?"
IF you're figurin' that I'm goin' to
wear handouts to oblige you, | amt
on, and you'd better sign another
mate. and not lose any time about it,
either" said Mr.. Brennan. decidedly.
Who's talkin of havin you wear
handcuffs?" inquired the captain, dis
gustedly. It'll all be make.believe.
as I'm tryin' to explain. If you'll only
listen. and not keep buttin' in with
fool remarks"
Fire away. then" said the mate.
resignedly. I'm listenin'"
First of ALL" resumed Boggs.
we've got to make arrangements for
the reception"
The mate uttered an exclamation,
and was about to speak. but checked
himself, and sat regarding his COM
mander with patient, wondering
stare
When they come aboard pursued
the captain. you line up ~ of the
crew at the gangway, six to each side,
and you in the middle. I'll stand back
by the funnel and when they pass
through the lines you wheel round
and lead 'em up to me. Then all of
you swing your hands to your heads
-reg'lar navy style, and I'll salute
back. After that you form a guard
of honor and show 'em to the cabin"
The mate expectorated vigorously.
Sounds rotten to me-" he re-
marked, disparagingly "a girl with
the sense Of rabbit oughter be made
sick by such fool play. But it's your
funeral. Go on"
you don't know her, Bob" said
the captain, strong in his superior
knowledge. She'll take 1t as a big
compliment. Maggie's bin readin'