New-York tribune., 1909-06-13

image of ours sitting a doorstep. Just stopped
down 70 stroke its ed, when it come TO me-
They will sometimes" said one OF the seannen
"I don't mean that" said the cook with the con-
tempt Of genius Il mean the idea did Ses 10
myself. You might be old Satan's brother by the
look OF you; an If the capn wants 10 kill cat let
1t be you And with that before II could say
Jack Robinson, picked IT up by the scruf O the
neck and showed It in the bag"
What all in along of bread? said the PIE
vious interrupter. in panied voice
Some of yer are ard to please said the cook
deeply offended.
Don't mind him. cook" said the adniring Sam
You're a masterpiece that's what you are
"Of course. II any Of you've got better 7lan"---
said the cook generously.
Don't talk rubbish. cook" said Sam: fetch the
two out and put em together"
Don't mix EN-" sa'd the cook warnnsly; for
you'll never know which is which agtn If YOU do"
He cautiously opened the top of the sack and pro-
duced his captive. and Satan. having been relieved
from his prison. the two animals were carefully
compared
They're as Ike two Jumps O. coal" said sam
slowly. Lord what Joke the old man I
tell the mate o. this; he'll enjoy f."
It'll be all right n the parrot don't die" said
the dainty pessmist still harpns on his pet theme.
"AU that bread spoilt. and two cats aboard"
Don't mind what he ses" said Sam; you're
brick. that's what you I'll Just make few
holes the Id the boys chest. and pop old Satan
in You don't mind. do you. Billy?"
"Of course he don't" said the other men iniig
nsnty.
Matters being thus sgreeaby arranged. Sam got
a girnlet and prepared tho chest for the reception
OF its tenant, who convinced that no being put
Of tho way to make room tor rival made
frantic fight for freedom
Now get something 'eavy and put on tho top Of
IT," said Sam. having convinced himself that the
lock broken; "and. Billy. put the cat In the
paint locker till start; it's homesick."
Tbe bo1-o oF,a md fka Tude dv was kpr
durance vile until they OF Limehouse. when
he deck and nearly ended his career there
and then by attempting to jump over the bulwark
into the next garden. For some time he paced the
deck IN a perturbed fashion and then leaping on
tho stern. moved pleintIvely as his native city re-
ceded further and further from his view.
What's the matter with old SATAN" said the
mate. who had been let into the secret. He seems
to have something his mind"
He'll havc something round his neck presently
said the skipper grtrnly.
Tho prophecy was fulfilled some three hours later,
when he up deck ruefully regarding the
remains OF bird whose vocabulary had once been
the pride OF its native town He threw 1t overheard
without a word and then, Selling the innocent cat,
who had followed him under the impression that II
about TO lunch produced half a brick attached
TO a string. and tied 1t round his neck. The crew,
who enjoying the Joke immensely. raised a
howl OF protest
The s,ylark II never have another like it, sir
said Sam soIemnly. That cat the luck Of the
ship"
'I don't want any OF your old womans yarns
said the skipper brutay. III you want the cat go
and fetch it"
He stepped aft as he spoke, and sent tho gentle
stranger hurtIng through the air There
'plonp" as it reached the water. a bubble two
came 10 the surface, and all was
That's the last o. that he said turning way.
The old man shook his head You can't kill a
black cat for nothing" said he, mark my words'
The skipper. who was In temper at the time.
thought little OF them. but they REQUIRED TO him
vividly the next day. The wind had freshened
during the night, and rain falling heavily.
On deck the crew stood about in oiskins. while
below the boy in HIS capacity Of jailer.
nnistering to the wants OF an ungrateful pris-
oner, when the cook, happening to glance that
way, was Mortified to see the animal emerge from
the foc'sle. 1t eluded easily the frantic clutch
of the boy he sprang up the ladder after it, and
walked leisure,y along the deck In the direction
OF the cabin. Just the had gives it up
for lost it encountered Sam, and the next snoment
despite it's cries was caught up and huddled away
beneath his stiff clarlmy oilskins. At the noise
the skipper. who talking TO the mate. turned
as though he had been shot and gazed wildly
round him.
Dick" said he, 'can you hear a cat?'
"Catr' said the mate in accents of great aston
ishment
Il thought heard it," said the puzzled skipper.
Fancy, SIR" said Dick firmly. mewing ap-
paIling in it's wrath, came from beneath Sans
coat
did you hear It, sam?" called the skipper as
the old moving off.
Hear what, sir?' inquired Sam respectfully
without turning round.
Nothing said the skipper. collecting himself.
Nothing. All right
The old man. hardly able TO believe in his good
fortune, made his way forward, and, seizng
favorable opportunity, handed his ungrateful bur-
den back the boy.
Fancy you heard cat Just now?" inquired the
mate casually.
well, between you an me- Dick" said the
skipper. in mysterious voice. did, and it wasn't
fancy neither. ! heard that cat as plain as II
H. was alive.
We'll, I've heard of such things said the other
'1but don't believe 'er. What q lark IL the ole
cat comes back climbing up the side out of
the tonight, with the brick hanging round
its neck"
The skipper stared at him for some time with
out speaking. IF that's your idea OF lark"
he said at length, in voice which betrayed traces
OF some emotion. 'it amt mine"