The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1908-06-04


mented, "Pd be glad to help out
pal, even if didn't get cent. That's
the kind of man | am"
can that's the kind I amt" re-
Joined the mate tartly. so mebbe
you'll stow this here moralisin' busi-
ness an hand over the coin, so as
everything II be accordin to agree
ment."
The skipper of the steamer Arklam
muttered something uncomplimentary
under his breath, but producing a
bulky pocketbook extracted several
bills therefrom and passed them to
the mate, who thrust them into his
pocket and faced his superior with a
satisfied. smirk.
Now that's settled, let's run over
your scheme again, so as I can get
my right bearin's," he said pleas
antly
when we get to Buffalo you fix
yourself up with phony beard an
wig, an if Miss Antrim comes askin'
for you I'm to tell her Capt. Brundage
there's a new skipper in charge"
Don't forget as Pm supposed to
be deaf and dumb" warned the cap
tain "If she once heard my voice it
'ud queer the whole game"
"Oh, aw right" responded the mate.
'Only she must be bigger fat-head
than she looks if she swallows that.
Who'd ever believe as a company 'ud
hire a deaf dummy for captain Of a
big steam freighter?"
She's got to believe it," returned
the captain. Anyway, if she sees
me at all, it'll be only for few min
utes, and the news of my death Ill
upset her so that she won't stop to
figure out them little details" s.
1T wouldn't upset me-" retorted the
mate. Seems like she oughter be
joyful to hear it, if she's got any
sense"
"That'l be all from you" growled
Brundage in high dudgeon. Just hold
your jaw and do as you're told"
Shortly after the Arklam tied up al
the Buffalo docks she was boarded
by buxom young damsel with a de
tgrMined chin and pair Of snappJ
black eyes. The watchful mate
Sreeted her at the gang plank, ant
she acknowledged the salutation with
a gracious smile.
Good morning, Mr.. Prout," she
said. rs Capt. Brundage around"
The mate twisted his features into
becoming semblance Of grief.
I'm sorry to say that I've got bat
news for you, Miss Antrim" was the
response. He hesitated and shook hi!
head sadly.
Whats the trouble?" inquired the
girl, her face shade paler at thu
sight of the mates dolorous visage
rs he sick?"
Worse than that, MISS" returned
the mate in hoarse whisper. "He'
VERY bad-that IS, / mean he ain
now. He's gone, miss, gone for
ever"
The girl drew a sharp breath
WHAT" she gasped, you don't meal
to say"
THAT he's dead, miss; yes, that
it. an sorry am to tell you"
Miss Antrim dabbed handkerchie
hastily across her eyes. How di
it happen?" she asked. why, he
he was all right when he left here o.
his last voyage"
"Step into the cabin" requested tn
willy Mr.. Prout, "an' I'll tell you al
about it."
The girl followed him, and seatin
herself, prepared to listen to tn
mates doleful narrative.
In accordance with the instruction
Of his chief, Mr. William Prout CAV
very affecting sketch of the inc
dents relative to the formers SUE
den demise, due. as he declared,
a chill followed by an attack of pnel
monia which had carried off the VII
tim in record time.
Miss Polly Antrim listened with a
odd CLEAN in her intelligent eyes.
wasn't there-that is-didn't h
leave a message or anything Of ths
kind for me?" she demanded, whe
the mate had finished his melanchol
recital
ooh. yes" replied Mr.. Prout hu
riedly. THE poor chap sent you b
love. an'-an' hoped you'd meet hi
in heaven" he concluded in burr
of inspiration.
polly Antrim glanced at the mai
with tightened lips. VERY nice
him she commented icoolly! WI
lid you say took his place?