Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1915-03-12
Copyright by The Century Co.
CHAPTER XIV.
The "Hardenlnar Proc cess.

atill. Nos. and had gone out or
the eight-o clock patrol. The seventh
man was taking his twenty-four hours
on at his home on the shore. The
keeper was working over his report
IN the office. The other members Of
Che crew were upstairs asleep, and
Abe and Samuel we're bearing each
ather company in the messroom.
Abe lay asleep on the carpet-covered
sofa which had been dragged out Of
the captains room for him, SO that
the old man need not spend the night
On the cold sleeping-loft above He
Was fully dressed except for his
boots; for he was determined to con.
Aorm to the rules OF the service. and
sleep with his clothes on ready for
Instant duty.
Talk erbout him a-dyin'l" growled
Samuel to himself, lounging YEARLY
In a chair beside the stove. Hes Jest
startin' his life. He's a regular boss
4 didn't think he had 1t in him"
Samuers zone was reeentful. He
was little Jealous Of the distinction
which had Heen made between him
and Abe; ard drawing closer to the
IRE. he shivSred in growing distaste
Cor the cot arsigned to him with the
crew upstairs, where the white frost
Jay on the winAow latches.
What uncomfortable chairs they had
IN this stationS Samuel listened to
the mooing of the breakers, to the
wind rafting az the casements-and
wondered If Blessy had missed him.
About this time she must be sitting
In her chlntz-covsred rocker, combing
out the ringlets Of her golden-white
hair in the cheer? freight.
Now, that world be a sight worth
seeing! Abe opened his mouth and
began to snore. What disgusting, hide
Gus creatures men we're, reflected
pamuel. Six months living with an
unusually high-bred woman had insen.
hibly raised his standards.
Why should he spend a week of his
sver-shortening life with such inferior
Beings, just for Abrahams sake-for
Abraham's sake, and to bear out the
concluded mistake?
Abe gave a snort, opened his eyes,
and muttered sleepily: This is what
: call A No. spree. Naow, termor-
rer-" But mumbling incoherently
40 Eelapsed into slumber, putting his
hpa out into a whistling sound.
Bdmuel reached for a newspaper on
tlfe table, folded 1t into a missile, and
started to fling 1t into the innocent
face of the sleeper. But fortunately for
Abraham, 1t was Captain Darbys Gus
tom TO count ten whenever seized by
an exasperated impulse, and at the
ninth number he regretfully dropped
the paper.
Then he began to count In another
way. Using the forennger of his right
hand as a marker, he counted under
his breath, zone" on his left thumb
then after a frowning interval, two
on his left forefnger, three" on the
middle digit, and so on, giving time
for thought to each number, until he
had exhausted the fingers of his left
hand and was ready to start on the
right
Count count, went on Samuel, unit
thrice Ave was passed, and he begar
to be confused.
Once more Abe awoke, and inquired
n the other we're trying to reckon tn,
number Of new wigwags and signals
which the service had acquired sine,
they had worked for the government
but on being sharply told to She
Hp!" went to sleep again.
What the protector Of the trip wa
really trying to recall was how man.
times that day he had regretted saw
Eng Abe from the devastating clutche
of the old ladies'
Him need hardenin'?" muttere,
Samuel blackly. why, he's harde
now n nails an hardtack!"
Again he ran over ON his fingers tn
Rfst Of high crimes and misdemeanor
of which Abe had been guilty.
First-thumb, left hand--Abe ha,
insisted on extending their scoote
sail until he, Samuel, had felt his toe
freezing In his boots.
Observation-Disclosures. left hand-ol
being welcomed by the entire force q
Bleak Hill and asked how long the.
expected to stay, Abe had blurted out
"a hull week." explaining that Sam
aels rule requiring at least seven day
of exile from his wife every six month
barred them from returning in les
time.
The keeper was widower, all tn,
other men were bachelors. How coult
they be expected to understand? The!
burst into guffaw of laughter, ant
ABE, not even conscious that he hat
betrayed a sacred confidence, sput
tered and laughed with the rest.
Samuel had half a mind to return
tomorrow, Test to spite EN-" Lett
nee. how many days Of this plagued
week we're left? Six. Six who'll