Vernon Parish Democrat. (Leesville, La.) 1917-193?, 1920-01-10

Il rs 70 come after the kind spell.
See here.g broke IA the captain.
I've been a fool. know II. Now
wot's the use O discussin' it,"
"oh. mol" objected the mate; Il
wouldn't call 1t foolishness. Not even
II was 'avin' q reaction, / wouldn't.
Bread upon the waters. more likely.
Not only bread" sighed the skip
per, but roast beef, an potatoes, an
ale, an'--an' clothes"
Bread wotn come back cake" add.
ed the mate.
II it comes back just plain bread
I'll be happy" murmured the master
Of the Mary Smith.
''Wot was the cause O. your passion
for this sailor7" the mate demanded;
''wot led you astray into kindness?"
The captain launched into explana-
tion.
Wilson told me, just after he sold
the Mary Smith to this man Simp-
kins," he said. that the new owner
was nice fellow, but awful economic
cal. didn't want to meet him at
Greenport tonight with a crew short
one man. He'd say IL we could make
this trip that way we could make 'em
all An this Dobbs was the only
excuse for a sailor / could find In
town"
Even them said the mate, 1T was
terrible reckless. wouldn't a-done
it. I'd ave advised against 1t. wish
you'd 'ad my cooler cad there to adj
wise you"
The captains manner, which had
been one of deep detection underwent
sudden change. He smiled genially,
and slapped the mate on the back.
mo, you wouldn't a-dOne it" he
sneered; IAN it's just as well you
wouldn't. You'd have come out the
loser. 1t takes-well, 1t takes a bit
o cleverness to pull these things
through. Fortune favors the brave
an daring, an everything they try
comes out all right in the end
The mate followed the direction of
his superior's glance, and discovered
three sailormen bundling a very UNI
willing gentleman into the waterman's
skin.
That was all put on-my sadness"
explained the skipper; ''of course !
knew all the time was coming out
on top"
He walked the deck in the excess Of
his Joy. The skim soon covered the
distance between the pier and the
schooner, and an undignified and kick
ing captive came on board, assisted
by strong arms and willing hearts.
He was small and bearded, with a
churchly expression partially de-
strOyed by the combined effect of(a
torn collar, dusty clothes, and a face
purple with rage.
When Captain Roberts got a good
look at the newcomer, his hope sank
and his anger rose.
who is this MANI" he demanded Of
the crew.
One of the men stepped forward,
the pride Of the capture shining in his
face.
why 'e's the Teller wot stole your
clothes and whites. to be sure" he
said, IAN a mighty ard customer e
is. We"
shut up, you idiot" reared the
skipper; this amt the man. don't
know who he is. never saw him
before"
The crew stood dumbfounded.
We'll, it amt our fault" said the
spokesman at last; 'he fits the de-
scriptiOn you give us like it was made
fer i'm. A small man, wearin' whisk-
ers, 'oos very 'Omely indeed, an as
a blue suit, nearly new"
The other men shook their heads,
whereupon the unwilling guest found
his breath sufficiently TO speak in
gurgling puffs.
i've seen a few Outrages in my
time" he managed to say, but this
heads the list. An I've seen people
suffer, but If their suffering wasn't
pleasure compared, to what you're go
ing through, I'll"
Calm yourself, sir," put in the cap
tain sOothingly. FIN sure it's as great
a disappointment to me that you amt
the right thief, as 1t IS to you
apologize most humbly,"
THE right thief" reared the cap
tive; you Internal scoundrel! nj"
cts a mistake. that's ALL" the skip
per broke in; you've been mistOok
by these lads for ho--for a fine-lOOk'
In man in blue suit that's stole from
me. You amt the man. l acknOwl-
edge It here an now. Nobody could
be fairer than that"
you'll suffer-" began the injured
man.
81 have suffered" Captain Roberts
interrupted, "mOre than words can
say. When saw you dragged
aboard"
Il will waste no more words" said
the stranger; give me your name an
the name of this vessel"
Captain Roberts OF the Mary
Smith, said that gentleman, prompt