Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-06-26

ID ILL MARLIN master gunner and able seaman,
\ crOaked melOdiOusly 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
demned him to hard labor, in collaboration with
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 servce
but it so happened that while he doing present
penance the cruiser steamed into the tropical harbor
Central American town with the thr-rump of six
FOUNDER. The bang of the saluting gum the bosn
pipe and the Joyous clamor of ackies the gun deck
made Marlin rise scowling to his cramped knees.
"Holler, we harps!" he growled Il don't wonder
wen the whole bunch O monkeys is gon' off the ark
an sticked up aboard combin the Captains cat an
dom chores like bloomin' chambermaid wat don't
know solar plexus from sassidge!'
rusty looking battleship, squatting like horned
toad on the bright blue waters of the harbor slammed
off tardy to the Chicagos salute. 1otilla of
shore boats, seeming dollars made for the anchored
American; while, last straw the waterfront a
perfect rainbow of feminine frppery waved welcome
The exasperated Marlin balanced the scrubbing
brush in his brawny hand with look of vengefu long
ing at the First Lieutenant who lined the rail with the
other officers spick and span their shore going uni
FORMS
I had my choice, jest for ten consecutive seconds
he said yearningy I'D swarm aboard that old Central
Amerky war-Junk an ID line up her old turret gun
that there First Leuten mt. an I'D blow is brass trim
mings clean through his map l would, if took the
count q rec ly afterwards!
THE voice of authority broke in on his Homeric
thoughts of vengeance. "You Bill Marln You
better quit soJerin Ill report you to the
First Lieutennt! You carr"
1t was bad time for the cabin steward to disturb
fallen warriors meditations. Marlin glanced at the
deck and smiled overwhelmingly The fatuous steward
ventured nearer. The gunners big claw shot like
a graphing iron and the trim little steward stood on
his head in the bucket of soapy water.
Ho! You II repawt me to the First Luff, will you
my little man? Well now, your face is nice and clean
an that's uncommon. You run 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 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 crawed to the window to listen. He
in for it. anyway.
1.-The fellow has reached the end of his rope!" the
Lieutenant said 1--WE tried everything short of anes-
thetics; but he can't or won't stop fighting You
for yourself, sir?"
'''E calls that fghtinr" Marlin murn1ured
MIN. Marlin? Yes recall the man." The COM
mander suppressed laugh. Gun Captain? Piled up
target record in Hampton Roads,"
And then rounded up the feet picking fights on the
other gunners!' the officer said bitterly. when l
disrated him, he cleaned up No. turret. The man is
good gunner. all right" the officer grudgingly adj
mitted: "but he's anarchstic anachronism!"
Marlin doubled his fists doubtfuy.
That brings us down to business the commander