The Parma herald. (Parma, Idaho) 1903-1917, 1915-03-25
CHAPTER XIV.
The "HardsnInor Process.

The "Hardenlpo" Procoeo.
The life-saving station was very
still. Nos. 3 and 5 had gone out on
the eight-oclock patrol. The seventh
man was taking his twenty-four hours
| of et hss home on the shore. The
keeper was working over his report
In the Office. The other members OF
the crew were upstairs asleep, and
Abe and Samuel were bearing each
other 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
In the cold sleeping-loft above. He
was fully dressed except for his
boots; for he was determined to con-
form 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 chair beside the stove. He's Jest
startfn' his life. He's a regular boss.
I didn't think he had 1t In him."
Samueps tone was resentful. He
was a little jealous OF the distinction
which had been made between him
and Abe; and drawing closer to the
fire. he shivered in growing distaste
for the cot assigned to him with the
crew upstairs, where the white frost
lay on the window latches.
What uncomfortable chairs they had
In this stationl Samuel listened to
the mooing Of the breakers. to the
wind rafting at the casements-and
wondered II Blossy had missed him.
About this time she must be sitting
in her chintz-coyered rocker, combing
out the ringlets of her golden-white
hair In the CHEEKY freight.
Now, that would be sight worth
seeing! Abe opened his mouth and
began to snore. What disgusting. hide
GUS creatures men we're, reflected
Samuel. Six months living with an
unusually high-bred woman had insen-
sibly raised his standards.
Why should he spend week OF his
evershortening life with such inferior
beings, just for Abraham's sake-for
AbrahaIn's sake, and to bear out a tho
DRY Of his own, which he had already
concluded mistake?
Abe gave snort, opened his eyes,
and muttered sleepily: This is what
call A No. spree. Naow, termor-
rer--' But mumbling incoherently
he relapsed into slumber, putting his
lips out into whistling sound.
Samuel reached for a newspaper on
the table, folded 1t into a missile. and
started to fling it into the innocent
face of the sleeper. But fortunately for
Abraham, 1t was Captain Darby's 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 forefinger OF his right
hand as marker, he counted under
his breath. "one" on his left thumb.
then after frowning interval, two"
on his left forefinger, 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, until
thrice five was passed. and he began
to be confused.
Once more Abe awoke. and inquired
If the other were trying to reckon the
number of new wigwags and signals
which the service had acquired since
they had worked for tho government;
but on being sharply told to "Shet
upl" went to sleep again.
What the protector Of the trip was
really trying to recall was how many