The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1920-12-24


ranks. One or two of the faces lit up suddenly,
sloughed on their assumed age and became young
and comey once more. It. was Christmas eve,
and thoughts flew with lightning speed to long
forgotten homes, where Christmas had been a
FESTIVAL OF delight In those bygone days before
the hungry sea claimed them ~ 1ts own.
You've got to thank my wife for that" went
on Hapshott 'She's asked to give you
Christmas-a Christmas you'll have. Make the
most OF It, Thereu be fresh mess served for
dinner tomorrow and there'll be grog for all
nands at eight bells. That's all--dsmss."
The men broke up, walked forward slowly.
then, as II moved by common impulse they
came back
I'VE Wish der lady for to dank." grunted Ger
man sailmaker lingering his cap. Hey boys
vat you says7 Aind't 1t rightf"
"Yes-ja-dot's 1t, Hans" came the replies
Mrs. Hapshott was aware of strange compress
sion In her throat; her eyes smarted stiffen-
Ing OF the crew was followed by something faint
~ resembling cheer; then the men went forward
slouchingy. Their tongues busy and they
wondered
Still more did they wonder Christmas day
when, two bells having sounded aft Mrs HIM.
shot appeared among them her arms piled high
with gifts From the commencement of the voy-
age her nimbe hands had been busy with pins
and wool. and now there something for
them ALL caps that completely covered n
mans head and held him immune from frostbIte
In the most rigorous weather. mufF1ers JERSEYS:
not one was forgotten. Even the greasy cook a
man of foul speech and unclean habits, found
himself the possessor of a sieeved waistcout knit
ted out of the 1eeciest WOOL
~ II hope youth huve merry Christina. men
said Mrs. Hapshott, and they cheered her-they
were gaining practce-until the idle wards
seemed to swing in answer.
Dinner time round, ana steaming kits
passed Into the forecastle KITS that con-
toyor {oic
night. The men ate and were thankful but when
monster plum pudding appeared they stared
with awe-struck eyes.
Don't thank me, thank the mIssus" said the
cook. who brought the dun in person. "She made
1t herself-last night mixed the whole bloomIn
thing with her own hands. Amt 1t a 'oner ?"
1t was-a very giant among puddngs and as
toQthsome as 1t 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 pahnikin, received tot Of
sterling grog, for Captain Hapshott had resolved
to do the thing well now he 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 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 her clothing and
went swiftly out on deck.
"Hram-what thntY' The skipper had
awakened and missing her, had made for the
deck. The faint streaks in the sky showed him
strange figure. chad in a gaudy sleeping suit such
sailors love- Mrs. Hapshott ciutched ut Dis
arm and held tightly.
whats whnt? He had been thinking what a
fool he would seem If rhe story were ever told
of the day past, and his manner was ungra-
cious
THAT" Her finger outstretched and quiz
ering but all beyond still dark.
"A sea bird-your nerves 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 aloft.
'Hram, II wasn't a birdY The woman's
voice full Of something TO which her husband
could put name
1T must have been-what else could II te
lassY
ITO 1t sounded like-but, no, that's foolish
My mind Is playing me tricks husband"
But she did not leave the rail for fully twenty
minutes and then 1t was to step down the ladder