The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1911-06-02

proposed to know this thing II he
could: but in the meantime he was
trying to make out what sort of crea-
ture 1t was that bore down upon him
with a gait like sulky pillow, up ona
side and down the other
Search me-" he murmured again,
beneath his breath, as the thing came
up to him and said in voice not high
and piping, as was to have been ex-
pected. but in deep, half-confldent gut
turals: Mr.. Tank, believer"
You're on. Alright. Alright" re-
sponded Tank easily; have cigar.
He motioned the Kid forward with tho
smokeables.
Thanks" said the giraffe, choosing
a cigarette.
Tank was polite man. He proffered
his own cigar for light. The giraffe
pulled assiduously The Pop-eyed KID
was wondering If he enjoyed the smoke
all the way down
I'm sociological student" confded
the stranger, between puffs. Gim-
balls my name. Just heard about your
little picnic today and thought I'd
come along. as 1t might give me a
chance to study some new types"
Sure, Goggle-eye," said Tank, hav.
ing read his man already. and rechrist.
ening him most nonchalantly. Surell
Just go ahead. Ships yours. New
types? Cert. You'll find 'em. Yours
p new type to US, all right, yourself" |
Thanks" observed the sociological
student, looking blandly about him.
and apparently not in the least off,
Tended by the sobriquet applied to him
by Tank; or perhaps he merely thought
better not to affect displeasure II he
felt 1t. Besides, Tank was meeting
some one else now, and understanding
that he was dismissed, he ambled stifflyt
off along the deck, slim cane In one
hand, the other clasping by turns his
cigarette and his straw hat, which!
latter threatened continually to blow
overheard, and looked as though Il
might take the owner with It 1
Longshore Toms aboard" reported
the Kid, who had acted as sort of
aidede-camp to the great boss.
That so?" said Tank, chewing at
his cigar. II been thinkin' about him.
got a notion to give him that Food
Inspectors job"
After you threw him downstairs7 =
queried the Kid in surprise. =
Sooner after than before, wouldn't
-" said Tank, with the air of one who,
announced mighty principle of boss-i
ism.
1t was in the afternoon that Tank
and Gimball met again. Tank was sit
ting in the officers cabin, consuming O.
mug of beer slowly, and still chewing
at the inevitable cigar. il
Well, Goggle-eye, what do you think
now7" the boss asked, throwing al
wink at two or three of his compansl
ions. Found any new typesf" Il
"Oh, indeed did! . responded MI.
Gimball with enthusiasm. "'Yes. And
what perfect organization you hava
here! Somebody in charge.everywheru
and handling things with an orderlt.i
ness and efficiency that is amazing, cons
sidering the quantity of Intoxicating
liquors that have been consumed"
"Aw," said Tank deprecatingdy,
Just my way of handing things,I
that's all Humans are easy handled
when you organize EN-" 4
The cabin straightway emptied itself
and the boat listed heavily as the en-I
tire picnic party rushed to the rails tea.
see the sight.
Run up closer, 80 we can get bet-
ter view" ordered Tank, and by that
command came all the trouble that fol-.
lowed
Whole crews drunk except tho man
at the wheel" responded the Kid, START
ing up the ladder to the pilot house 4
captain. first officer, second officer
third. deckhands-an of EN-. Act like
they never seen little key of beer
before"
Tank was at the rail.
Look at her" he remarked loudly,
" Good Standard Oil money burning
up. What shame! John Dbl go to
the poor-house now for that"
The steamer was afiame from stem
to stern, and her entire upper works
going SO that deck load of oil in
cases could be seen reeling into the
sea with every pitch and roll, while
the roar Of the greedy flames eating
steadily downward was plainly heard.
The outgoing tide had carried the ship
in big circle from her mornings. and
she was crossing the bow of the Ad.
nlirdI Bisbee not more than two cable
lengths away. The pilot, in response
to Tanks orders, turned to starboard
and swung clear round her, coming in
closer and closer in narrowing circle.
till the picnickers could feel the heat
upon their cheeks
Ito be continued
-----