Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1919-08-01

to feel the necessity OF sharing; n
quiet. poised, probably stupid man, FOR
whom could not deny the respect We
| must always give TO content. however
simple, He was "A sailor aud I don't
know what better to say Of a man.
40 for compnnionship was thrown
back upon Tom. felt too, that he
was my only friend on board. una u
vague feeling had come over me that
within the next few hours might need
friend.
"Are we going too fast for fishing
Tom?' asked.
Not too fast for harrae0utn." said
Tom. so We put out lines and watched
the stretched strings, and listened to
the sea. After II while Toms line grew
taut, and we hauled in a tve-foot bar
racuuta.
look !" said Tom. as he pointed to
little writing cel-like shape, about
nine inches long, attached to the belly
OF the barracuda.
~ >HthihS lNH SfllI lbli. HHl
good luck - ana he proceeded to turn
over the poor creature and cut from
his back. Immediately below his head
fat inch and a half Of skin lined
aud stamped like n rubber soh'=-the
device by which he held ON to the
belly of the barracuda much Us the
circle of wet leather holds the stone
in n srhoolboy's sling.
"NoW." he said, when he had II
clean ana neat in his fingers, 'We must
hang this up and dry II In the north
east wind; The wind is Just right
nor'.nor'east--and there is no mascot
like it, specially when--' Old Tom
heSitated. with slyly innocent smile
in his eyes.
What is it. Tom:' | asked.
We'll, sir, | meant to say that this
particular part Of a sucking fish, prop
prly dried In the northeast wind. *
wonderful mascot--whcn you're going
after treasure"
"Who Satr | was going after treas
ure?" | asked.
Aren't you, sah?" replied Tom,
asking your pardon"
Let's talk II over later on, when
you bring me my dinner, Tom
Later. rs Tom stood serving my
coffee, | took II up with him again
what was that YOU were saying
about treasure, Tom!" asked.
well. sar what I meant was this:
that going after treasure is n danger
Gus business it's not only the
living You're To think of" Here Tom
threw careful eye for'ard.
'"The crew, You mean?'
He nodded.
"But it's the dead too"
"The dead Tom?"
swell. sar, there was never buried
treasure yet that didn't claim its vic
tim. Not one or two either. Six OF
eight of them. to my acknowledgement
the treasure just where 1t was for al
that. | das'say it sounds all foolish
ness, but It's true for all thar. Some
thing or othcr'll come, mark my word
just when they think they've got
their hands on it: hurricane or
tidal wave OF AN earthquake. And
well, the ghost laughs, but the treasure
STAYS there all the same"
The ghost lailghs?' asked.
"Eh of course; didu't You know
every treasure is guarded by a ghost
He's got to keep watch there tin tht
next fellow comes along, 10 relieve
sentry duty, so to speak. He doesn't
give it away. My no. He dasSn't dc
that But the minute someone else is
killed, coming looking for IT, then he's
free-and the new ghost has got to
20 on sitting there. waiting for ever
so long till someone else comes look
ing for it."
But what has this sucking fish got
to do with III" And pointed to the
red membrane already drying in Toms
hand.
"Well. the man who carries this in
his pocket won't be he next ghost" he
answered
Take good care of II for me, then
Tom" said, "and when it's properly
dried let me have il. For I've n sort
of idea l may have need of it, after
ALL"
Future nstallmcats Of pieces 0
EIGHT will be found on the want az
page.
Plants That Feed on Animals.
That such plDuts as venus hytrnp'
actually catch and squeeze TO death