The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1911-08-16


demned as useless. With full pas
senger list, and the coming aboard of
the sixteen men from the torpedo boat.
additional facilities for leaving the
sinking ship were imperative The
civilian and the Navy sailors set about
the construction Of RATS without ma
tsrials, feat possible only to men Of
the sea. Among those who worked
hardest and accomplished the most
notable near-miracles was John Waith,
who had already distinguished himself
on the sinking half of the torpedo
craft. In sleeveless undershirt, his
cap pulled down over his eyes. he
showed himself now demon Of work
and ingenuity.
During the passing years Johns ebul
lent spirits had deteriorated into an
ugliness of taciturnity and moroseness.
He had kept his promise not to drink
again, and he took no pleasure in any
other guise. Performing his duties
with consummate skill and faithful
ness. and necessarily smoking foul
smelling pipe in his hours OF idleness.
he had lived along" Above all things,
he hated women and children, with
| that hatred of which he was capable.
! A pretty woman or winsome child
was an eyesore to him, though he never
manifested his detestation outwardly
further than simply to shun the OBJ
| jects OF it.
When he boarded the Solcito, John
had stepped into passage to wiring
| some of the water out Of his clothes.
/ The passengers, in panic, we're being
herded aft by the ships officers. John
/ sat on a state-room door-sill and was
emptying the water from his shoes
when tiny girl, apparently wander
ing about at her unguarded will, came
| along and stopped to watch him, her
| pale little face very thoughtful. She
was cheaply CARRIED, slight creature.
/ colorless, but inexpressibly sweet of
countenance. She carried in her arms
| a dirty rag doll which had been made
| for her out Of dishcloth by one of
/ the cooks.
| and went on squeezing the salt water
/ from his socks. Putting his shoes back
| on, he took OF his coat, vest and outer
shirt and flung them aside. He hest
1 tated, looking again at the little girl,
whose grave, sweet eyes still regarded
him infently.
why don't you go away?" he asked
sharply.
/ '"Tause wants company" was the
sober reply.
John took of his undershirt with a
vicious jerk, and twisted it SO strenu-
ously as to make rents it. Dream
wrongs were ranking in his eye.
"Dimme that"
John looked at the little girl in
amazement. Give you what?"
That" She was pointing at his
nude breast, where hung from his
throat Catholic scapula. Though he
had not entered church-not count
ing the evangelical mission-in many
years, some redeeming memory of
home and childhood had impelled him
still to wear this symbol of his lost
faith. To his own establishment, he
found himself with the emblem in his
hand, reaching it out to the little girl.
will you wear 1t II give 1t to you?"
4 he asked, his voice still harsh.
Eth"
4 He arose and drew the cord over her
head of straight yellow hair. tucking
the scapula under the neck of her cot
ton gown. AS he moved away, he
paused at the end of the passage and
looked back. She was standing where
he had left her, looking staidly after
him. Never once had she smiled. She
lifted a tiny hand and waved baby
"bye-bye," but he went on without wav-
ing back to her.
When the RATS, built Of gratings,
spars, furniture and aught else avail
able, had been launched and pro-
nounced seaworthy, the passengers
were loaded on them and in the boats
with quiet orderliness. The ship was
now fast lowering by the bow. The
fog had lifted, the sun was shining
brilliantly, and a breeze had sprung
up from off shore. John Waith, assist
ing women at a gangway, saw the little
girl wandering aimlessly about, a
} lovely solemnity pervading her pale
little face as she watched the strange
proceedings When she discovered him
standing there, looking UP at him with
mute and melancholy inquiry.
Where's your mama?" he asked.
Mama amt here" she llsped.
Where Is she, them"
"She vented away-way; anyway
way-way-." She was pointing thin
; little hand Of marble out into dim
nowhere.
John caught her by the armpits and
stood her on the gangway railing.
Whose child is this?" he sang out
Nobody answered for moment, then
woman reached up her arms. "I'll
: take her" she said.
do you know her, ma'am?"
Moo; only that she's travelling
alone; to Portland, think
A billow of red blood surged over
Johns face. such as had not warmed
, 1t in many day. I'll take care OF
the child, ma 'am" he called down
abruptly; adding in crude apology:
You'll have enough to do to look out
for yourself"