Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1920-12-17


ranks One or two of the faces lit up suddenly
sloughed off their assumed age and became young
and comely once more. 1t was Christmas eve
and thoughts flew with lightning speed to long
forgotten homes where Christmas had been
festival of delight in those bygone days before
the hungry claimed them as its own.
You've got to thank my wife for that" went
on Hapshott. "Shes asked me to give you
Christmas-a Christmas you'll have. Make the
most of it. There'll be a fresh mess served for
dinner tomorrow, and there'll be grog for all
hands at eight bells. That's all--dis1niss."
The men broke up, walked forward slowly
then, if moved by a common impulse, they
came back.
"Ve wish der lady for to dank" grunted a Ger
man sailmaker lingering his cap Hey, boys
vat you says? Aind't it right?"
"Yes-ja-d1ot's it, Hans came the replies
Mrs. Hapshott aware of strange compress
sion in her throat; her eyes smarted. A stiffen-
ing of the crew was followed by something faint
~ resembling cheer; then the men went forward
slouchingly. Their tongues were busy and they
wondered
Still more did they wonder Christmas day
when, two bells having sounded aft, Mrs Hap
shott appeared among them, her arms piled high
with gifts From the commencement Of the voy-
age her nimble hands had been busy with pins
and wool, and there something for
them all, caps that completely covered
mans head and held him immune from frostbite
in the most rigorous weather; muf1ers, jerseys
not one was forgotten. Even the greasy cook,
Of foul speech and uncean habits, found
himself the possessor of a seeyed wastcoat knit
ted out of the f1eeciest wool.
II hope you'll have merry Christmas men,"
said Mrs. Hapshott, and they cheered her-they
were gaining practce-untili the idle yards
seemed to swing in answer
Dinner time came round, and steaming kits
were passed into the forecastle, kits that con-
tanned savory Joints from the porker killed over
night. The men ate and were thankful, but when
a monster plum pudding appeared they stared
with awe-struck eyes.
"Dont thank me, thank the mssus" said the
cook, who brought the duff in person "She made
it hersef-last night; mixed the whole bloomin'
thing with her own hands. Amt it 'oner?'
1t was-a very giant among buildings, and as
toothsome as it was vast. Came in the midst Of
the revels call aft, where the steward stood at
the capstan with dipper in his hand. Each
man, presenting a pannkn, received a tot Of
sterling grog, for Captain Hapshott had resolved
to do the thing well now he embarked upon
it no half-water measures for him. Each man,
receiving his allowance raised his drinking yes
sci in the direction Of Mrs. Hapshott, who was
watching them from above and drank a silent
toast to her and to the memory of Christmases
past.
SO the wonderful day passed away and once
again night dropped down upon the sea.
Mrs. Hapshott rose, slipped her clothing and
went swiftly out deck
"Hiram-what was that?" The skipper had
awakened and, missing her, had made for the
deck The faint streaks in the sky showed him
strange figure, clad in a gaudy sleeping suit such
as sailors love. Mrs. Hapshott cutched at bis
arm and held tightly.
"Whats what?" He had been thinking what
fool he would if the story were ever told
of the day past, and his manner was ungra-
cous
"That!" Her finger was outstretched and quiv-
ering but all beyond was still dark.
"a sea bird--your nerves are edge" he told
her.
Mrs. Hapshott drew herself to the taffrail and
again the ship had almost lost her way; she was
only crawling through the water to the accom-
paniment of Tapping aloft
'Hram, it wasn't sea bird!" The womans
voice was full of something to which her husband
could put name
ut must have been-what else could it be,
lass?
'"To me 1t sounded lke-but, no, that's foolish
ness. My mind is playing me tricks husband"
But she did not leave the rail for fully twenty
minutes and then it was to step down the ladder