St. Landry clarion. (Opelousas, La.) 1890-1921, 1909-08-14

1t DGCGulG 9YlU6Ae To 01m GUC AOH@
lowing afternoon that they were near,
Ing Bystermouth. 1t was 5 source of
disappointment to the crew that they
did not arrive until after nigheEali.
TO the Joy OF the men he PARTLY
broke down Id the ~forecaatle that
night; and, IN tropical language, sew
orally blamed his parents, the school
board and the army for not having
taught him to swim. The last thing
that Bill heard, ere sleep closed his
lids, was a pious resolution on th6
part OF Mr.. Bliss to the effect that all
his children should be taught the art
OF natation as 500 Is they were born.
Bill woke up Just before sir; and,
hearing q complaining voice, thought
at first that his military friend was
still speaking. The voice got more
and more ~Querulous with occasional
excursions into the profane, and the
seaman, rubbing his eyes. turned his
head and saw old Thomas cropping
about the f~orecastle.
"Wot's the matter with you. old
'un?e he demanded.
II can't find my trcusis.' grumbled
the old man.
Said Bill. franlly: where's that
blooming sojer?"
4 don't know where e Ii, and I.
don't care" replied the old man. "on
deck, / s'pose.'
The old man started, and hurriedly
ascended to the deck. He was abs
sent two or three minutes, and, when
he returned, CONSERVATION was writ
large upon his face.
He's gone" he spluttered: there
amt a sign Of i'm about, and the life
belt wot hangs on the galley as gone.
too. Wot am I to do?"
Well. they was very old cloes,"
said Bill, soothingly, Fan You amt 8
bad agger, not for your time q life,
Thomas"
Don't be a fool, Thomas" said Bob,
anxiously.
Il can't help IT." said the old man.
struggling Historically; ait.s the best
Joke I've heard
Hes gone dotty," said Ted, sol
emnly. Il never card Of q man larfng
like that a COS he'd lorst IS cloes.'
I'm not larfing at that said
Thomas, regaining his composure by
q great effort, I'm larfing at a joke
wot you don't know Of vet"
i deadly chill struck at the hearts
OF the listeners at these words, then
Bill, after a glance at the foot Of his
bunk, where he usually kept his
clothes, sprang out and began a hope
less search. The other men followed
SUIT, and the air rang with lamenta4
lions and profanity. Even the spare
suits ii the mems chests had gone;
and Bill. q prey to acute despair, sat
down, and ii a striking passage con
signed the entire British army to per
dition.
"fE,s taken n suit and chucked
the rest overheard, expect, so as we
sha'n't be able to go arter I'M" said
Thomas. z expect he could swim arter
ali. Bill"
Bill, still busy with the British army.
paid no heed.
We must go an tell the old man"
said Ted.
Better be careful cautioned the
cook. { I'm an the mate 'ad a so at
the whisky last night, an you know
wot e S next morning
The men went up slowly Oh deck,
The morning was hne, but the afr,
chill with a breeze from the land, had
them at a disadvantage. Ashore, a
few people were early astir.
sYeu go down, Thomas, you're the
Oldest" said Bill.
Z was thinking o Ted going said
Thomas, 4'e's the youngest"
The cook, followed by the others,
led the way down to interview the
skipper. The clock licked on the
m~antelpiece, and heavy snoring pro.
ceeded both from the mates bunk and
the stateroom. on the door of the
latter the cook knocked gently; then
he turned the handle and peeped ii.
The skipper, raising a heavy head,
set in matted hair and d~isordered
whiskers, gIared at him nerceIy.
What dye want?" he reared.
II you please, SIR began the
cook.
Get ont reared the skipper. re.
covering his voice.
we came to tell you. i~nterposed
Bill, "as ow-"
Get OUT roared the skipper again,
tHow dare you come to my statercom,
and like this, COO"
sAll d clothes ave gone and %
as the sojsr chap said Bill.
Serve you damned ven right goz
letting him 60" cried the skipper. ali.
grily. Hurry up, George, and ges
alongside he called to the mats,
well catch him yet. Clear out, you
-you-baIIet girls"
eCaorgeg" Re said, ID an odd voice.
"WeIl?" was the reply.
Il hopa you're not forgetting your.
self and playing iarks." said the skip.
per, with severity.
aLarks?o repeated ne maEe, as the
alarmed crew aed silently ON deck and
stood listening open-monthed ss the
companion, s0f course ! ain't- Yoa
don't mean 10 tell me-"
All my clothes have gone, every
stitch I've got,7 replied the skipper,
desperately, as the mate sprang cut
II shall have 70 bonroW some Of yours,
IL / catch that internal
You're quite welcome" gaid Ms
mats, bitterly, "onIy somebody has
borrowed ,en already That's whal