Elbert County tribune and Elbert County banner., 1920-12-17

ofmtu uTe uoBs, uuu Lie ihoic SVu
beat dog the better 1t is. So with sailors.
Grind 'em down. rule 'em with an 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 sen,
man and boy. hasn't inclined me to dispute facts
a. they stand"
Il call 1t cruelty" said his wife without heat.
for she was woman Of sadness.
She knew the cause Of that sadness as did her
husband. but 1t mentioned between
chem by tacit agreement. Twenty-Five years Of
Darried life had resulted In fine endurance Of
marital affection-the skpper's long absences
trom home might have accounted for that in some
measure. The two were good friends. and bick-
srng between them thing unknown. There
had been one child-very many years ago, but It
only raised Its voice once In the great world
and before the mothers heart had quickened in
response the voice stilled forever. The Lord
had given; He had also taken away, and Mrs.
Hapshott endeavored to say BLESSED be the name
ef the Lord" with good grace. though at times
the saying was hard.
To hide his emotion the captain threw prur-
ness into his voice. "rm thinking made a mis-
take In bringing you to sea- lass" he said "It
Ssn't place for women. least OF all soft-hearted
women such as You are. But you begged and
yrayed, and the owners seemed willing"
TT got to be lonely waiting there ashore, HI
sam" she said simply. ut was at nights when
when the wind howled and the snow fell every
where-I saw other women happy and compan-
Sonable with their about them; and lit
was more thnn could stand 1t would have been
easier h-if there'd-if Amos had lived" He un-
6erstood and his rough gnarled hand crept out
along the rail until 1t rested on hers with the
pressure of sympathy
Hiram, ] want to ask you a favor.
TITS Christmas day in two days time Are
you going to give the men Christmas proper
Christmas7"
Hapshott opened his mouth and laughed. a
laugh that WINS pregnant with cynicism.
Give them a Christmas-a proper Christmas
By which suppose you mean holiday and
Christmas fare7 Why, lass, they wouldn't know
what to do with It II they had 1t. Besides we
aren't fitted for Christmas meals There's a
brace OF chickens In the coop thatn make our
dinner that day-1ve been saving them up ON
purpose; but beyond the pig for'ard--"
"Give them a proper Christmas Hiram" plead
ed Mrs. Hapshott earnestly. ATS a wonderful
day ashore, though sad one. That is for me-"
she amended II 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 was 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 companioned the void at his
own.
"Ali hands muster aft" cried Captain Hapshott.
The men slouched along to the afterdeck and
grouped themselves under the poop break. The
moon sprang up from the blackening sea, and
shone redly upon them; full round ball. 1t
showed sulen, respondent faces, faces without
hope. Mrs. Hapshott drew near to the pinrail
and looked down. her heart welled full of pity.
She had done something-she had given these
overworked beasts of burden days rest at
least.
TITS stand by tn midnight tomorrow" said
the skipper In a voice that he fondly hoped be-
frayed no shame. "Theres holiday from now
on You'll take your wheels and iookouts