New-York tribune., 1910-06-26

Holer Ye Harpsi Don't Wonder'
DILL MARLIN, master gunner and able seaman,
II croaked melodiousy at his domestic duties; but
his song was solely one of defiance to his enemy,
the First Lieutenant of u S. S. Chicago, who had con-
demned him to hard labor, in collaboration with a
scrubbing brush bucket of suds and bar of yellow
soap, securing the perfectly immaculate steel floor OF
the Captains cabin and he doing it with great
deal of unnecessary disturbance.
1t not the first time, by long Odds that Gunner
Marlin had tasted discipline for the good of the
but it so happened that while he was doing present
penance the cruiser steamed into the tropical habor,
Central American town with the thr-rump of six
FOUNDER. The bang of the saluting gun, the bo'sns
pipe, and the Joyous clamor of Jacbies the gun deck
made Marlin rise scowling to his cramped knees.
Hoer, ye harpsi" he growled Il don't wonder,
W en- the whole bunch O monkeys is goin off the ark.
an me sticked up aboard combin the Captains cat an
don chores like boonlin chambermad lat don't
know solar plexus from a sassidge!'
rusty looking battleship, squatting like a horned
toad on the bright blue waters of the harbor slammed
off tardy answer to the Chicagos salute. 1otila of
shore boats scentlng dollars, made for the anchored
American; while, as last straw on the waterfront
perfect rainbow of feminine frppery waved welcome
to the land hungry ackes.
The exasperated Marlin balanced the scrubbing
brush IN his brawny hand with look of vengeul long
ing at the First Lieutenant who lined the rail with the
other officers, sck and span their shore going uni
forms.
"If had my choice, Jest for ten consecutive seconds
he said yearnngv I'D swarm aboard that old Central
Ameriky war Junk an I'd line up her old urret gun on
that there First Lieuten an I'd blow is brass trim
mlngS clean through his map. | would if | took the
count d'rec'ly afterwards
THE voice of authority broke in on his Homerc
thoughts of vengeance. You Bill Marni You
better quit soerln me man, I'll report you the
First Lieuten MT You ear?"
1t bad time for the cabin steward to disturb
fallen warriors meditations. Marlin glanced at the
deck and smiled ingratiatngly The fatuous steward
ventured nearer. The gunners big claw shot out like
graphing iron and the trim little steward stood on
his head in the bucket of SOapy water
"Ho You'll repawt me to the First Luf will YOU
my little man? Well now, your face is nice and clean
an that's uncommon. You right along me bucko
an tell i'm"
He stood appalled, The steward fled; but the form
of the First Lieutenant blocked the cabin doorway
Behind him gared the commander himself who had
just come aboard with face like a thunder cloud
CLAP that man in irons!" the commander snapped
"Or wait The officer drew the Lieutenant aside
Through the open port Marlin heard the latter ex-
planning, and he crawled to the window to listen He
was in for 1t, anyway.
The fellow has reached the end of his ropel" the
Lieutenant said I've tried everything short of anes
thetics; but he can't won't stop fighting. You saw
for yourself sir?"
..,E calls that fightin!' Marlin murmured.
M m. Marlin? Yes, | recall the man" The COM
mander suppressed laugh. Gun Captain? Piled up
target record in Hampton Roads,"
And then rounded up the fleet picking fights on the
other gunners" the officer said bitterly when |
disrated him, he cleaned up No. turret The man is
a good gunner all right the officer grudgngly ad
mitted; but he's an anarchistc anachIonism!'
Marlin doubled his fists dOubtfully.
hat brings down to business" the commander