The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1920-12-24


beat dog the better 1t is. So with sailors
Grind em down, rule 'em with iron hand, and
they'll not only do their work at the run but
they'll come crawling along and ask you for
more. That's my experience, and 30 years at sea.
man and boy, hasn't inclined me to dispute facts
they stand"
II call 1t cruelty" said his wife without heat
for she woman of sadness.
She knew the cause of that sadness as did her
husband but 1t was never mentioned between
them by tacit agreement. Twenty-Five years of
married life had resulted In fine endurance of
marital affection-the shippers long absences
from home might have accounted for that In some
measure. The two were good friends, and bick-
ering between them thing unknown There
had been one child-very many years ago, but 1t
only raised its voice In the great wofld
and before the mothers heart had qulckened in
response the voice was stled forever The Lord
had given; He had also taken away, and Mrs.
Hapshott endeavored to say BLESSED DC the name
of the Lord with good grace, though at times
the saying was hard.
To hide his emotion the captain threw grufr-
ness into his voice. I'm thinking l made a mis-
take In bringing you to sea, lass" he said. ut
isn't place for women, least of all soft-hearted
women such as you But you begged and
prayed, and the owners seemed willing"
ut got to be lonely waiting there ashore HI
RAM" she said simply. 1T at nights, when
when the wind howled and the snow fell every
where saw other women happy and conpan-
ionabie, with their men about them and tit
was more than could stand 1t would have been
easier Tiff there'd-if Amos had lived" He I'M
derstood, and his rough gnarled hand crept out
along the rail until 1t rested hers with the
pressure of sympathy.
Hiram, want to ask you favor
TITS Christmas day In two days time Are
you going to give the Christmas proper
Clristmas?"
Hapshott opened his mouth and laughed
laugh that pregnant with cyncism.
Give them a Christmas proper Christmas
By which l suppose you mean holiday and
Christmas fare? Why, lass. they wouldn't know
what to do with it If they had It, Besides, we
aren't fitted for Christmas meals. There's
brace of chickens in the coop that'l make our
dinner that day-rve been saving them up on
purpose; but beyond the pig for'ard-"
Give them proper Christmas. Hiram" plead
ed Mrs. Hapshott earnestly. ITS a wonderful
day ashore, though sad That Is for me"
she amended. Il always get thinking OF the Child
and of how happy His mother must have been,
though she lost Him. too; she lost Him."
She thought the wound fairly healed, but
the hot tears gushed to her faded, pathetic eyes.
Hapshott himself turned away for he knew the
ache at her heart; 1t companoned the void at his
own
IAN hands muster aft" cried Captain Eapshott.
The men sIouched along TO the afterdeck and
grouped themselves under the poop break. The
moon sprang up from the backenipg sea- and
shone redly upon them; full round ball. 1t
showed sullen. Respondent faces faces without a
hope. Mrs Hapshott drew to the pinrail
and looked down. her heart welled full of pity.
She had done something-she had given these
overworked beasts Of burden one days rest at
least.
"it's stand by till midntghA tomorrow" said
the shipper in a voice that he fondiy hoped be-
trayed no shame. There's holiday from row
on. You'n take your wheels and iookouts
usual; beyond that-nothing. Understandw