The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-02-15

even the deck hands had been washed for the co casion.
 "Ill go down with you bt" he explained ts Seweu' the chief mate. The pilotU bring me back I suppose I go up to the chart house?"
 "of course, sir" said sewel1. If you can't go where you like aboard of us, who can?"
 The old man smiled "Thatn be for the Cap tain to say, he answered, and went up the ladder.
 She very smart, the old Burdock, and Arthur had made changes in the chart house, but she had the same feel for her old Captain. Under her paint and frils, the steel of her structure the old conspire against her. Shift and be- deck and bedrape her they might, she was yet the Burdock; her lights would run down channel with new consciousness in their stare, and there was work and peril for aboard of her Of old.
 ~Ah, father" said Arthur Price, he came the bridge. Come to shee chase her roun' Damn shlippery deck, eh ?" he said. '1welI. youn shee shome shteering, 'tanyrate"
 He wiped his forehead and his cap fell oil. The old stopped hurriedly and picked it up for "Brace up Arthur" he said in an urgent w1Ais- per, "an' let the pilot take her down the dock. Fun Captain said the younger T man. "Aren~ I Capt'n? We'll, then. 'nough said" He went to the Bridge rail.
 .A11 ready, Mish' Mater" he demanded and pro ceeded to get his moorings in.
 The mud pilot to the old Captains side.
 .4captain," he said "that mans drunk"
 The old Shuddered little. Don't make a noise," he said. "He-he married today"
 "Aye" The pilot shook his head. You know me, Captain; it's not me that would give son of yours away. But can't let him bump her about. He isn't you at handling steamship. and he's drunk"
 The old Captain turned to him. Help me out," 1" he said. "Pot give me a help in this. I'll stand by him and handy to the telegraph. We'll get her through an right There's that crowd the dock"-he sighed to the festive guests-"waiting to see him off and we mustn't make show of hdIn. And his wife's aboard"
 The pilot nodded shortly. 'T'm willing"
 Arthur, leaning on the rail- cursing the T1n 1no1y vvoift 4eW them and he lurched to the telegraph, slammed the handle with a chatter and rang for steam! The pilot and the old man leaned quickly to the indicator; he had ordered full speed ahead. "stop her!" snapped the pilot the decks be- heath them pulsed to the awaking engines. Arthur's hand was yet on the handle: but the old mans grip on his wrist firm and he bell be- low changed again. The young Captain wheeled them furiously.
 "Get off my brsh," he shouted. Down with you, tn pair of you" He made to advance on them, those two square old shipmen; he projected general ruin; but his feet were not his own He reeled against the rail.
 "Port your he1mi" commanded the pilot calmly "Slow ahead!" Old Captain Price rang for him and they began to draw out. Ashore the wedding guests were futter of waving handkerchiefs and hats They thanked God Minnie was not on the bridge. At the rail, Arthur lolled stupdly and seemed to be fighting down a nausea.
 "steady!" came the sure voice of the pilot "Steady as you go! Stop her!"
 Arthur Price slipped then and came to his knees Ashore the party was cheering.
 cup with you Arthur" cried the old man iu agony. Them peoples looking. Stinen up
 Half speed ahead!" droned the. pilots nsvs, turning his head.
 The old rattled the handle over and stooDes to his
 the mate, he sadd grirnly ;aTill then you'n stani up and show yourself, if your feet perish unde you. I'll hold you"
 They were drawing round tier of big vessels going cautiously, not with the speed and knifeedC accuracy with which the old man had been won to take her out, but groping safely through tn craft about them. Arthur swayed and smiled an slackened his head nodding as though in respons to the friends on the dock who never abated tnei farewell clamor The grip his held hin up, for he had weakened on his drink as e1citaDi will
 s+starboard!" ordered the pilot, and Captai Price half turned to pass the word. 1t was the that it happened. The drunken man, pivoted wneT he stood and stumbled sideways, catching 1mseM 2 the telegraph. The old men snatched 1lm upfasn for his knees were melting under him, and froI below there the clang of the bell Arthu Price had pulled the handle over Forthwith sh @ cuickened: she drove ahead for the stern of tn ship she was being conned to clear; her prov VIZ aimed at it, like descending sword.
 +o sTo 1Tou to the wheel Spin her round eors over with her!" The wheel engine set up II chatter; with a savage wrench the old Capcai shook his son to steadiness for an instant and nl ed his eyes to the Burdock charging to di aster.
 "Stop 1er!" cried the pilot 'FNll astern!"
 Captain Price frightened ms grlp on HIS son arm and reached for the handle with his otha hand.
 Clang, clang! went the deep-toned bell below an swoosh went the reversed propeller. The pilot orders rattled like hail roof; she came roun and old Captain Price had a glimpse Of a knot frantic men at the taff-rail of the ship they bar ly cleared Then, slowly they wedged her ind the lock1nouth and hauled in. "Close thing!" said the pilot panting a little The old man let his son lean against the ra i and turned to him.
 'tPraps not" he said 'sPflot what did I'll them engines with?" The other stared. 'T hs a hold of him with this hand of mine; reachs for the handle with rny-other-hand" "But" the pilot perplexed-'but, Captai you an't got no other hand. .eNo," Captain Price shook his head. ssBut rang the engines with it all the same. l raj the Burdock out of bump with 1t; and hesitated moment and nodded his head sid ways at the linp lolling body of his son-"I ra, his honor off the mud with it."
 The ni1ot cleared his brow: he simply gave t