Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-01-26
\ lNANOAOllON LIN OEWuNU T1fAO1NlVEJ
ESy
Earl Derr Biggers

"Your wife can't follow you here" says IAN
can't listen to this commotion much longer an stay
in my right mind. Why not stop an put these women
ashore in a boat. They walk back to Grmport
before midnight"
George said it was the best plan, an he told the
ladies So AS he was linin up the weepin' crowd
ready to lower into the ships boat his generosity
came to the front again.
"Ive caused you some inconvenience, ladies' he
SAYS mo. you can't deny it--don't try So I'm goin'
to make each one O. you nice little present. With
each lady put ashore goes one O. our latest-model.
light-runnin' SEWN machines. When I'm far away
an I'll be as far away as can get, you can bet on
that" he says, thnkin' o. his wife, you can look
at the machines an remember George Barber the
man that carried you away by accident
"Cut It out" says the butchers wife; tits gettin'
late"
So the crew put em ashore in the boat, an fol-
lowed 'em with five o. our best machines. They
made pretty picture standin on the sand, each one
beside a SEWN machine, an INTERIM female curses
on Georges head. We steamed away an George
said it almost broke his heart to leave em. But
reminded him O. his wife, an he was comforted
We'd gone about quarter O. mile when George
came rushin' to me, a glass in his hand Peter, he
says, bad luck don't come single. They've got US
now, or my name amt George Barber"
who's got us?" asked, "the ladies?"
1.-THE law" whispers George in hoarse tones, the
law" An he points with shakin' finger toward
revenue cutter speedin along through the dusk blow
ing bushels o. smoke from its tunnels. an THROWN
its searchlight like evil eye. the waters.
Its been nothin but trouble trouble says George
sadly lever since took charge o. these blamed ma
chimes An now it's six years hard labor fer us all"
He fell over machine an instead o. swearn', stops
to think. "Theys way out he says excited like;
"they's one way to yet" An he picks up
machine an throws it overheard. Call the crew."
he shouts; this is the only way" We all got to
work. relishing Georges picture o. prison stripes
an pretty soon we'd thrown hundred and
twelve perfectly good sewin'machnes into the deep
blue sea.
The cutter comes an nearer. George finds
&c harder an harder to breathe Then she turns her
light on us fer second-just contemptuous glance
in passin'-an' flashes by.
Georges face sight to see, even in the dusk.
"They never stopped" he says softly; they never
stopped"
That's clear" says l. they went by"
Fifty thousand dollars worth O. SEWN machines
he murmurs, thrown to the mermaids"
TITS shame" says I; "but the mermaids need"
"A third O. the money NINE" he goes on, IAN ex-
citable general waitin' in South America fer his
share"
whats the answer" / says.
We steamed on southwark, sad lot. asked to
be put ashore here at New York. an George gave in
against his will. When / said good-by, he told me
his plan. He goin' to show the general the
newspaper clippings about how the police was on
our track 1.-THE story of our brave fight, as have
thought it OUT says George, sis touchin' For
hundred miles raced the fastest revenue cutter
in America Brought to bay at last, were forced
to throw overheard treasure, in order to save
our lives All is lost. my dear general, save honor
an the yacht"
II hope he'll be good to you.'' says, AS good as
you deserve. Good-by. Good-by, George. hate to