St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1909-01-02

low.
over Sans ample proportions. "You
must ha' been leading double life
altogether, Sam"
By the following afternoon Sam was
in such state of collapse that, when
they put in at the small port of
Withersea to discharge portion of
their cargo, he obtained permission to
stay below in his bunk. Work pro-
ceeded without him, and at nine
o'clock in the evening they sailed
again, and it was not until they were
a couple of miles on their way to
Dimport that Mr.. Legge rushed aft
with the announcement that he was
missing.
Don't talk nonsense" said the skip
per, as he came up from below in re-
Spouse to hail from the mate.
TITS fact, sir" said Legge, shak-
ing his head
What's to be done with the boy?"
demanded the mate, blankly
SANS unsteady, unreliable, tricky
old man." exclaimed the skipper, hot
ly; "the idea of going and leaving a
boy on our hands like that. I'm sur
prised at him. I'm disappointed in
Sam-deserting!
What are you going to do, Billy?'
inquired the cook.
Il dunno" said the boy, miserably.
They came in sight of Dimport Mr..
Legge, who had a considerable respect
for the brain hidden in that small
head, pointed it out to him.
Boys worried" said the skipper,
aside, to the mate; cheer up, sonny"
Billy looked up and smiled, and the
cloud which had sat on his brow when
he thought of the cold-blooded deser.
ton OF Mr.. Brown gave way to an ex-
preston of serene content.
At the quay the skipper locked up
the cabin, and then calling on one of
the shore hands to keep an eye on
the forecastle, left it open for the con-
venience of the small passenger.
Harry, Charlie, and the cook stepped
ashore. The skipper and mate fol-
lowed, and the latter, looking back
from some distance, called his atten-
ton to the desolate little figure sitting
on the hatch.
Father" cried a small voice.
"He-he's adopted you now" said
the skipper, huskily.
"Or you," said the mate. 81 never
took much notice of him"
IT'S you he's after, l tell you" said
the mate. who do you want, Billy?'
81 want my father" cried the youth,
and, to prevent any mistake, indicated
the raging skipper with his finger.
who do you want?" beloved the
latter, in frightful voice.
Want you, father" chirruped
Master Jones.
What's the matter?" inquired Mrs.
Hunt, cycling the crowd in amazement
as it grouped itself in anticipation.
Nothing" said her husband, off
handedly.
who's that boy?" cried the inno-
cent woman.
ITS poor little mad boy" began
the skipper; "he came aboard"
I'm not mad, father" interrupted
Master Jones.
"a poor little mad boy" continued
the skipper, hastily, who came aboard
in London and said poor old Sam
Brown was his father"
"No-you, father" cried the boy,
shrilly.
He calls everybody his father
said the skipper, with a smile of
anguish; that's the form his madness
takes. He called Jem here his father"
mo, he didn't" said the mate,
bluntly.
"And then he thought Charlie was
his father
mo, sir" said Mr.. Legge. with re-
spectful firmness.
81 see," said Mrs. Hunt, with a Bit
ter smile, and these men have all
come up prepared to swear that the
boy said Sam was his father. Haven't
your" :.
Eyes, num-" chorused the crew, de
lighted at being understood so easily
There was an uncomfortable silence
during which the. crew, standing for
the most part on one leg in sympathy
with their chiefs embarrassment
nudged each other to say something
to clear the character of a man whom
all esteemed.