The San Mateo item. (San Mateo City, Putnam County, Fla) 189?-19??, 1909-10-23

Passengers for the afternoon trip
OF the Wave were going aboard as
Simpson began throwing in another
load Of cobblestones. The steamer
was due 60 leav in an hour. and
rafting trucks Of freight altemated
with groups OF passengers in passing
mp the plank.
watch out for Peterson there,
Reddy!" a voice suddenly shouted.
Tho warning sounded so genuine
that, somewhat startled, Simpson
turned quickly about. A laugh Of APP
probation for the success of the ruso
greeted him. One OF the crew was
passing by on an errand.
'Fraid OF our man, aren't you?"
the deckhand Queried, with teasing
good nature. Tomorrow noon you've
cot TO stand M, to him and take that
blanket back, or else we are going
to chip in and hire you to get a job
somewhere else. We're pretty sensi-
tive about the kind OF people we have
around"
A stentorian hail summoned the
loquacious sailor to the Wave. Slmp-
son continued to heave in cobble-
stones thoughtfully He fully intend
ed to get his blanket back but II
possible he wanted TO do it without
shaming the redoubtable Peterson,
who had a reputation to maintain in
wrestling
Another load was on before start
ing-time for the Wave. In a strag-
Cling line passengers were still wend-
ing their way toward the steamer, and
the freight trucks ratified more quick
-ly and merrily on and off the plank
As was his custom, Simpson mount.
ed the seat TO thread his way diagon.
ally across the river street to the
corner where he mounted the grade.
There was just room enough to pass
between line OF cotton bales on one
side and a carpenter at work on the
other, shaping a new bulkhead tim.
Der.
Wouldn't you like a blanket to
sit on?' the carpenter chuckled, as
he squinted an eve TO set his jack.
plane. Il understand Peterson is go
ing TO take the seat. too, tomorrow. 4"
Simpsons only answer was wave
OF his hand and a smile. He was
more concerned just at present lest
he should guide Prince carelessly and
scratch his sleek side on the metal
straps of a cotton bale.
I'll have TO convince Peterson
somehow that / have little sand"
he unused, smacking his lips 10 urge
on the horses a bit.
A quick tug on the rein at that mo-
ment was all that saved Sager the
off horse. from being grazed by a
sick Of timber which some careless
hand had left protruding from be.
tween two bales. simpsons eyes had
been turned momentarily from bis
duty toward gay young party bound
for the steamer. 4 charming couple
OF laughing girls were in the lead;
and behind them. weighted down
with baggage, young man CALAMITY
escorted a stout old lady. The party
Joined a waiting crowd at the gang.
way, where the breaking Of an over.
loaded truck had caused a blockade.
Simpson was just starting his
horses of again when a booming
clang! struck his ear. lie heard 1t
again, n fierce, eXultant cling-clung
With startled glance toward the
hillside street he understood In the
process OF being turned end on toward
the factory gates the monster boiler
had broken loose! Now IL was hur.
thing noislly down the street bang.
ing the cobbles furiously. while the
voices OF the workmen we're raised in
frantic warnings.
Instinctively Simpson turned his
eyes toward the Wave. The opera
ton OF repairing and repaying a sec.
ton OF the wharf had caused a con