The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1916-01-07

\ the water rusheS IN at the hole that has
/ been made the spUnges absorb it, and
the danger ofdoundering is thus avoid
ed. 1t is one of the simplest schemes
in the world. and il is a wonder that 1t
was not In use hundred years ago.
Now, then. find fault with it If you
can"
J 1t was like all others of Mr.. Bowsers
schemes, all moonshine, and after n
gesture of despair Mrs. Bowser said:
"Let us figure little"
"Of what use to figureY replied Mr.
Bowser as a frown came to his face.
"All schemes have to be figured on.
Our druggist once told me that the
coarsest of sponges cost about dollar
pound at wholesale. You propose to
put in fifty tons into the hold of a ship.
What will be the cost of such cargo?
1t will be 100000. according to my fig
ures."
| Mr.. Bowser's face turned red and his
jaw fell, but he let her 20 on.
How much water will fifty tons of
dry sponges absorb? l cannot give you
the figures exactly, but it must be thou
sanGs Of barrels-enough to sink ship
as If her cargo was lead"
Hold on-hold on, right there!'' ex-
claimed Mr.. Bowser II told you the
sponges were there to absorb the water
as it rushed in
| "But the water is in the ship. isn't
itT' asked Mrs. Bowser. what differ
ence does it make whether the water is
in the sponges or sloshing around loose,
so to say? The weight is the same, and
1t will be the weight that will sink her.
You must see the point
81 don't see anything of the kindr'
was shouted. II have told you twice
over that the sponges would take up
the water as fast as it came in"
$50 you have, my dear but it will
make no difference where that water is
sponges would at least be equal to
thirty or forty tons of iron. Can't you
see that, Mr.. Bowser?"
II can see that you want to dlscour-
age me, as you always do he NUT
tered. Il have dropped upon a good
thing, II great thing, the greatest thing
l ever ran up against, and you are try
ing to knock it TO pieces If had mar
ried the right woman
But you didn't, Mr.. Bowser. You
married the woman who won't let you
make donkey of yourself if she can
help It. You jump to conclusions in
stead of stopping to figure little
Why, man. you are thinking of sinking
the crippled ship instead of saving her!
The scheme must he to keep the water
out altogether. 1t is the water that
fills the hold of ship and carries her
down"
Mr.. Bowser sat in silence for time
and gritted his teeth now and then
and by and by he spoke,
81 still believe in the plan of the
sponges. but how would it do to put in
fifty tons of cork slabs? Cork will not
absorb water to any extent; therefore
1t will keep the fluid from rushing in.
Come to think OF it, perhaps that is the
best scheme of the two"
Mrs Bowser smiled and appeared to
be thinking over the cork plan, and Mr..
BOwser was growing impatient when
|
"DO you think you could find u ship
owner who would go to the expense OF
buying either cork or the sponges? In
time the sponges would rot and be
worthless and the cork would mildew
and decay"
He'd be queer man to let his ship
go to the bottom when she might be
saved" sulklly replied the man with
the great idea.
"But have shown you that the
sponges would only help to sink her,
and. as for the cork. If there was
great rent In her side the slabs
would surely float out as well as pOr-
lions of the other cargo. You must
see that for yourself, Mr.. BOwser. If
I have not made it plain to you, then
consult some man whose common
sense you can trust. Men have got
rich through schemes, but they have
been practical schemes. You must
have common sense as the basis"
"That is to say that l lack common
sense, Mrs. Bowserr'
at is to say that your schemes are
anu lOu Stt
thought and jump instead of taking
time to think 1t well over. IL isn't
late yet, and let's go to the moving
pictures for an hour"
"We might see a picture of a ship
loaded with sponges or cork going
down like IA lump of lead" was the
reply as Mr. Bowser walked down the
hall and left the house.
He was fun of chagrin and vexation
and he wanted to work it Off. He
therefore walked over TO the family
butcher and opened the door and
shouted:
Jones, you are liar and swim
dler! Your meat is tougher than an
old rhinoceros, and there is more bone
: than meat! Blast your eyes, ! will
never trade cents worth with you
again, and I'll send you to state prison
II l CAM
, Saying which. Mr., Bowser immedi
, ate!y felt better, and after hitting a