New-York tribune., 1910-05-22

Holer Ye Harrs! Don't Wonder1"
ID ILL MARLIN, master gunner and able seaman,
II croaked melodiousy at his domestic duties; but
his song was solely of defiance to his enemy.
the First Lieutenant of U S. S. Chicago, who had con-
demned him to hard labor, in collaboration with
scrubbing brush bucket of sds and bar of yellow
soap, securing the perfectly immaculate steel floor of
the Captains cabn and he was 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 service
but it SO happened that while he doing present
penance the cruiser steamed into the tropical harbor,
Central American town with the thrrunp of six
FOUNDER. The bang of the saluting gun, the bosn's
pipe and the Joyous camor of JackieS the gun deck
made Marlin rise scowling to his cramped knees.
"Holer, ye harpsp' he growled. Il don't wonder,
wen the whole bunch O monkeys is goin off the ark
an me sticked up aboard combin the Captains cat an
doin chores like a bloomin' chambermaid wat don't
know a solar plexus from sassidgel
A rusty looking battleship, squatting like horned
toad on the bright blue waters of the harbor slammed
of tardy answer to the Chicago's salute. A hola of
shore boats, scentng dollars made for the anchored
American; while, last straw, the waterfront
perfect rainbow of feminine frippery waved welcome
to the land hungry JaCiieS.
The exasperated Marlin balanced the Scrubbing
brush IN his brawny hand, with look of vengeful long
ing at the First Lieutenant who lined the rail with the
other officers, splck and span IN their shore going
forms.
"If had my choice jest for consecutive seconds,
ne sad yearnlngy I'D swarm aboard that old Central
that there First Leutennt an I'd blow is brass trim
mngs clean through his map. 1 would, if l took the
count rec1y afterwards"
THE voice of authority broke in on his Homeric
thoughts of vengeance You Bill MarlinI YOu
better quit sOJer1n, man, III report you to the
First Lieutenntl You 'ear?'
1t was bad time for the cabin steward to disturb
fallen warriors meditations Marlin glanced at the
deck and smiled ingratatingy. 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 Luff, will YOU
my little mann Well, 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 glared the commander himself who had
just come aboard, with face like a thunder cloud
Clap that man in irons!' the commander snaDped
"Or wait" The officer drew the Lieutenant aside
Through the open port Marlin heard the latter ey
planning and he crawled to the window to listen He
was in for it, anyway.
1.-The fellow has reached the end of his ropei" 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 murnured
M m Marlin! Yes, recall the man." The COM
mander suppressed a laugh "Gun Captain? Piled ND
our target record in Hampton RoaCs?"
And then rounded up the feet 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 grudgingly ad
mitted "but he's an anarchistic anachronismi'
Marlin doubled his fists doubtfuy.
hat brings down to bueinesc he con,n,anIa-