Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1920-12-17

A 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 comedy once more. 1t was Christmas eve.
and thoughts flew with lightning speed to long
forgotten homes, where Christmas had been q
festival of delight In those bygone days before
the hungry sea claimed them as Its own.
you've got TO thank my wife for that went
on Hapshott. "She's asked me to give you a
Christmas-a Christmas youn have. Make the
most of it. Therell be a fresh mess served for
dinner tomorrow, and there1l be grog for all
hands at eight bells, That's .all-dismiss."
The men broke up, walked forward slowly.
then, as If moved by a common impulse, they
came back.
ave wish der lady for to dank." grunted a Ger
man sailmaker, lingering his cap. "Hey, boys
vat you says? Aindt 1t right7"
"Yes-ja-dots 1t, Hans" came the replies.
Mrs. Hapshott was aware of a strange compress
sion in her throat her eyes smarted. A stiffen-
Ing of the crew was followed by something faint
ly resembling a 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 now there was something for
tnem Ill, warm caps tnat completely covered q
mans head and held him immune from frOstbite
in the most rigorous weather; muflers. Jerseys:
not one was forgotten. Even the greasy cook, a
man of foul speech and unclean habits, found
himself the pOssessor of a sleeved waistcoat knit
ted out of the feeciest wool.
81 hope youth 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 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.
Don't thank me, thank the missus," said the
cook, who brought the duff in person. "She made
It herself-last night; mixed the whole bloomIn'
thing with her own hands. Amt it a 'oner?"
1t was-a very giant among buildings, and as
toothsome as 1t was vast. Came, in the midst of
the revels, a call aft, where the steward stood at
the capstan with a dipper In his hand. Each
man, presenting a p%annikin, received a tot Of
sterling grog, for Captain Hapshott had resolved
to do the thing well now he was embarked upon
1t; 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 on her clothing and
went swiftly out on deck.
was that7' The skipper had
awakened and, missing her, had made for the
deck. The faint streaks In the sky showed him a
strange figure, clad in a gaudy sleeping suit such
as sailors love. Mrs. Hapshott clutched at bis
arm and held tightly.
whats what?' He had been thinking what a
fool he would seem If the story were ever told
of the day now past, and his manner was ungra-
cious.
"That!" Her finger was outstretched and quiv-
ering, but all beyond was still dark.
IA sea bird-your nerves are on edge" he told
her.
Mrs. Hapshott drew herself to the taffrail and
leaned out, listening. The wind was wailing
again the ship had almost lost her way; she was
only crawling through the water to the accom-
paniment Of tapping canvas aloft.
"Hiram, 1t wasn't a sea bird r. The womans
voice was full of something to which her husband
could put no name.
"Tt must have been-what else could 1t be.
II lass?"
ITO me It sounded like-but, no. that's foolish
ness. Ny mind is playing me tricks. husband"
But she did not leave the rail for fully twenty
minuteA and then II was to step down the ladder