The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1910-09-08

not J0o Unlng. Lie puulSlIIu0uG was
in having to appear at court. This
kind of thing went on getting worse
from day to day. Several OF the
non CONS had been worried with
these petty reports for inattention to
duty, and were unable to discover to
whom the report was due. Even grew
suspicious of one another. Non
commissioned officers grew suspi-
cious of the men, so that the ship
was much like balloon in captivity,
waiting severance of it's fastenings
to go up.
The climax was reached the day
Pat Dooley was reported for smok-
ing between decks. Pat was char
acter aboard the ship, a favorite with
officers and men. For eighteen years
he had been bluejacket and his first
commission was aboard ship on
which the Commandant of the Con-
dor sailed as midshipman. An in
veterate grumbler was Pat; nothing,
or at least few things, pleased him.
His views were decidedly pessimis-
tic. But that kind Of thing is easily
forgiven when it is characteristic of
one we recognize to be man. Pat
was man; every bit Of him. One
who, no matter how much he grum-
bled, could be relied upon. Fair,
square and above board" as the say
ing is. Good in times Of emergency,
when the optimistic smiler is gen
orally a minus quantity. Naturally
Pat was riled at being reported for
smoking between decks. 1t was
against the rules certainly, but it was
practice that had been tolerated
ever since he could remember. So
Pat spitefully denied having done
such thing. Swore by all the beads
of the rosary that such thing had
never entered his mind, and asked
to be confronted by his accuser in
the interest av justice and discipline. >
The commander acquiesced, gave
the necessary orders, and they Sent
up Jack Holden, able seaman and
Pats friend.
Repeat your statement agains
this man." said the Commandan
pointing with his pen to Dooley
Holden blushed and stammered some
thing about having seen Dooley smok
ING his pipe after lights out on tht
night mentioned.
You hear that?" inquired th'
Commandant of Dooley.
Pat, too full to speak, nodded hi
head.
well, what have you to say?"
Pat said nothing.
See that it doesn't happen again,
said the Commandant and the cour
was dismissed.
For Holden the fun from that tim
commenced. His double game o
t sycophancy and treachery was done
and for reward he was made the re
cipient of the undiluted hatred O
A two hundred men-and Pat Dooley
They never abused him. Their de
meanor toward him was respectful
$ even courteous, which made thing
t more difficult to bear. He was ea
: ceedingly unfortunate after this eI
e isode. Accidents seemed to dog hi
s footsteps. Things usually substanti;
0 and safe seemed to yield to th
| slightest pressure ofhis tread, as whe
t descending the messroom ladder on
{, day with kettle of soup, the ladde
O suddenly became Embraced and pr
) clpitated him and the soup into
bath of soft soap. He was injure'
is but everybody sympathized with hir
e Six months after, Holden was smi
Y ten with smallpox and was ordere
l. ashore. A request was issued by Il
Commandant for volunteer to nur
IS him. The contagiousness of the di
r ease was explained and the syste
le of treatment which would necess
i, tate isolation of both the attenda
at and the afflicted. The proposal W
ir not inspiring even had it been in tt
r interest of one who was appreciate
IS Some one of the lads would no dou
1t have eventually volunteered but th'
re were tardy. Pat Dooley was asho
le the day the request was issued,
u when he returned at night, KNOWN
v the bitter animosity between hi
d. and Holden, they gathered aroul
ne him and facetiously suggested th
at he volunteer as a nurse. Pat did
in quite grasp the meaning of it all
f. first, but he seemed interested a
f. asked for an explanation. Th