The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1920-12-23

faint whisper seemed TO pass through the
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 n
festival of delight in those bygone days before
the hungry sea claimed them its own.
you've got TO thank my wife for that" went
on Hapshott. "She's asked TO give you Il
Chrismas-a Christmas you'll have. Make the
most of IT, Therell be n fresh mess served for
dinner tomorrow and there'll be grog for all
hands at eight bells. That's all-dismiss.'
The men broke up, walked forward slowly,
then, as if moved by common impulse, they
came back.
I've wish der lady for to dank," grunted Ger
man saimaker lingering his cap. "Hey, boys,
vat you says? Aind't It rlght?"
"Yes-ja-dot's it, Hans" came the replies.
Mrs. Hapshott was aware of strange compress
sion in her throat; her eyes smarted stffen-
Ing of the crew followed by something faint
ly resembling a cheer then the men went forward
slouchingly. Their tongues were busy and they
wondered
Still 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 nmble hands had been busy with pins
and wool, and there something for
them all, caps that completely covered a
mans head and held him immune from frostbte
in the most rigorous weather; munlers jerseys;
not forgotten. Even the greasy cook. a
man Of foul speech and unclean habits found
himself the possessor of Il sleeved waistcoat knit
ted out of the heecest wool.
81 hope you'll have a merry Christmas men,"
said Mrs. Hapshott, and they cheered her-they
were gaining practice-until the idle yards
seemed to swing in answer.
Dinner time came round, and steaming kits
were passed into the forecaste, 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.
Don't thank me, thank the mssus' said the
cook, who brought the duff in person "She made
it herself-last night; mixed the whole bloomin'
thing with her hands. Amt IL 'onerY"
Ii waS--a very giant among puddngs, and as
toothsome as it vast. Came, in the midst of
the revels, call aft, where the steward stood at
the capstan with a dipper in his hand. Each
man. presenting a pannkin, received a tot of
sterling grog, for Captain Hapshott had resolved
to do the thing well he was 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
watching them from above, and drank n 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
Mrs. Hapshott rose, slipped on her clothing and
went swiftly out on deck
"Hiram-what was thatf The skipper had
awakened and, missing her, had made for the
deck. The faint streaks i'm the sky showed him
strange figure. clad in gaudy sleeping suit such
as sailors love. Mrs. Hapshott clutched at bis
arm and held tightly
whats whatr He had been thinking what
fool he would seem If the story were ever told
of the day past, and his manner was ungra-
cious.
"Thatw Her finger was outstretched and quiv-
ering. but all beyond still dark.
"a sea brd-your nerves are on edge" he told
her.
Mrs. Hapshott drew herself to the taffrail and
leaned out, listening. The wind was walng
again; the ship had almost lost her way she was
only crawling through the water to the accom-
panlment OF tapping canvas aoft
"Hiram, II wasn't sea birdl" The woman's
voice was full of something to which her husband
could put NAME
SIT must have been-what else could It be.
lass?"
'To me Il 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 II was to step down the ladder