The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-12-13

with unforeseeable dangers and con sequences.
 Snood & Hargreaves were put by as a last resort, only to be braved In the extremity of misfortune. Instead, Matt would make the round of the business houses with which he had formerly dealt on John Mort's behalf and borrow sufficient money, if he could, for a steerage passage in the mail steamer to Samoa.
 Chris accompanied him. It was clustering, windy day, bleak and cheerless, and it seemed to become bleaker and more cheerless still as Matt was denied at one office after another. He was the victim of by gone zeal. of bygone loyalty and hon. esty- However lightly he had spent his own money, he had always been a hard bargainer where John Morts was concerned. How remorselessly that ''5 per cent for cash'' now rose in judg- ment against hfm-that q can do bet ter at Turners,' or whatever 1t was to bring down the price.
 By o'clock he had to confess him. self beaten Except for a ship chandler at the foot of Market street, the list of possible lenders was exhausted. But he had never put much business in this mans way, whose last name he had some trouble in remembering. Yes, Coleman, tl1at was it-Joe Coleman, 8 jolly old Englishman as round as a tub.
 Coleman greeted him heartily-sO heartily that Matt was ashamed >-- tha surprise he was about to spring.
 You'd better be careful, Joe,'' he said. with a wretched effort at smile 
 of my hand may cost you $5.''
 "WelI, weIlv' exclaimed Coleman in sham trepidation. Here, sit down on that barrel and have a cigar. Bless you, lad, it's like old times to see you again
 Joe was a common old fellow, but his robust good will and sympathy were very warming. Putting at his ci- gar and leaning against an anchor, he told Matt 'tto get on with his tale of woe"
 Matt obeyed, but with reservations, saying briefly that he had tried shore life and failed and wanted to return to the islands.
 That's easy,'' said Coleman ttNo need to be so blue about it. I'm good for hundred dollars. I always liked you, Broughton, and when I like man
 
 Bless yonr handsome face, it don't All you've to do is to catch the mail boat and make bee line for the CO coanGts and the girls s
 ''I have mine with me, Joe. Pm mar ried''
 "Oh, say!'' Coleman exclaimed. rub ping his chin and looking worried. You've been going it, haven't you? A hundred dollars Is about my limit. I couldn't go more than a hundred, and that's what they charge for a single passage to Samoa. Hold on, though, I have ft! Ship steward or work your way and let wifey be the passenger 2
 Coleman suddenly dashed to the door and grabbed the arm of a man who had stopped for a moment to peer in. He was a short, thick set person of seafaring cut, with the ap- pearance of a north German or a Scandinavian and popping blue eyes was effusively introduced to Matt as Captain Schwartz of the schooner Es- meralda.
 'I fancfed you had up with the mud hook and cleared a month ago!' cried Coleman.
 ''No such lucl,'' growled Captain Schwartz In a strong German accent. Everybody behind; everybody hum plugging; drouble, drouble, drouble all the time.''
 Here's some .more,'' said Coleman cheerfully, indicating Matt. He's go- ing with you, and when may he come aboard? He's a south sea captain like yourself and has lost his ship
 Ship? Vat ship?" inquired Schwartz, awakening to interest
 '"The topsail schooner North Star,' said Matt in a shiver of expectation and hope.
 He's stuck here without a cent,'' put in Coleman, land it don't matter to him much where you land him as long as it is something dry, with palm tree on it and cold missionary on the sideboard.' ~-
 They all laughed at this, and then Schwartz said, '1 wasn't meaning to stop anywhere this side of the Solo, mons. but he can gome; he can gome-" !" Laying his hand on Matt's shoulder, he added: ''O1d south sea captains should stand together. You'd have done the same for me, and dat is all there is to it,''
 His wife's. along" interjected Cole man, winking at Matt, ''and a corking young woman she is too. Sings splen- did and plays the Tnandoleen, and it will be dandy of q moonlight night to sit on the poop and hear her"
 "You got wife?' asked the cap tan, apparently much pleased. Say, but dat will be fineI Young, she is?''
 Twenty three" replied Matt.
 Schwartz looked happier than ever.
 You come on to AIalaita,'' he said. ''NIe. am married, too. and got two leetle babies, so high-everything fine, fine, but my wife she is very lone some for white society. I think she jump for joy to see another young lady. And I'll get you goot poseetion on the plantation or in the cOmDarV'S store