Mexico Missouri message., 1909-02-04
CHAPTER 10.
The Man.

see 'em pretty often during the
next week They used to loaf down to
the landing of a morning. smoking |
cigars, and with their hands In their |
pockets. Crazy or not, there was a |
something about 'em that kind of got |
me; / own up begun to like 'em. In |
spite OF their tophamper being out OF
gear. As a general run don't banker
for the average city boarder. He runs
too much to yachting clothes and
patronizing. Neither the clothes nor
the airs set well; kind of look like
they was secondhand and made over
for him by the folks at home. When
one OF that kind is out sailing with
me and begins to lord It and show on
afore the girls the Dora Bassett 10
pretty apt TO ship some spray over the
bow. A couple of gallons OF salt
water sliced of wave top and poured
down the neck OF one OF them fellers
is the best reducer know Of; shrinks
his importance like twas a flannel
shirt.
But Nate Scudder's private patients
want that kind. Not that they want
dressed. Land sakes! l don't s'pose
they wore the same vests two days
running. But they looked like they
was used to their clothes. not as If
they'd Just been introduced and didn't
feel to home In 'em. And they didn't
patronize none to speak Of; called me
skipper" and sol" Just as sociable
as could be. And as for the girls, they
never looked twice at any OF the hotel
ones. Them two skittish females that
took over to Trumet used to get in
their way and beg pardon and giggle,
hoisting firtation signals. so TO speak,
but Van Brunt and Hartley wouldn't
even come up into the wind; just kept
on their course like they was carrying
the mail. Twas these two females
that first named 'em The Heavenly
Twins" twas shortened later to "The
Heavenlies."
Every time took the HeavenlIes on
q cruise the more certain l was that
they we're loons-harmless and good.
natured. OF course, but looms Just the
same. Most generally they carried
a book along with 'em and read It out
loud 10 each other. They'd read q
spell and then stop and break out
with: by Jovel that's SO. He's right,
Isn't he?" You'd think that book was
q human almost, the way they went on
about II. I've heard a minister do the
same way over the Scriptures; but
this want the Bible; the name Of 1t
was The Natural Life" borrowed
once TO look at. but twas all foolish
ness to me; telling about money being
a cuss. and such rot. I've been cussed
considerable senco fTst went TO sea,
but not by money-no, Eirl
But Van Brunt would read three OF
four fathom OF rubbish out of "The
Natural" and then heave 20 and say;
"odd We didn't think of that afore
Martin. Il doesn't count for much
does IT. Well. we're through with Il
now. thank Godi Look at that sun
set Have a smoke. slripper7"
And then he'd pass over q cigar tina
had cost as much as ten cusses a boa
II I'm any Judge OF tobacco.
One night, just as we were eominI
into port, Van says TO me:
'sol," he says. I'VE may want yoI
and the boat tomorrow. Ny mani
let you know in the morning. Mean
while Just dodge the nautical bunch a
the hotel, will your"
was good deal shook AZ. I'd a
most forgot that keeper.
"Manf says !. "oh, yes. yesl I see
u he here now7"
'1sej seminE tonight ! believe. ID