The Little River news., 1920-02-14


 It as to come after the kind ype,,. r."
 See here," broke in the captain, I've been fool. know it. Now wot's the use O discussin' it."
 "Oh, mol" objected the mate; T wouldn't call it foolishness. Not even if l was 'avin' a 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 wot'u come back cake," add ed the mate.
 If 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 sailor?" the mate demanded; "wot led you astray into kindness?"
 The captain launched into explana- ton.
 Wilson told me, just after he sold the Mary Smith to this man Simp- kins," he said. that the new owner was a nice fellow. but awful economi- cal. I didn't want to meet him at Greenport tonight with 2 crew short one man. He'd say if we could make this trip that way we could make 'em all. An this Dobbs was the only excuse for Q sailor could find in town"
 Even then," said the mate, "it was terrible reckless. 1 wouldn't a-done it. I'd ave advised against it. l wish you'd 'ad my cooler cad there to ad- wise you"
 The captains manner, which had been one of deep dejection, underwent a sudden change. He smiled genially. and slapped the mate on the back.
 No. you wouldn't a-done it." he sneered; "an' it's just as well you wouldn't. You'd have come out the loser. It takes-well, it 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 very un- willing gentleman into the watermans skiff.
 That was all put on-my sadness" explained the skipper; "of course 1 knew all the time l was coming out on tOp."
 He walked the deck in the excess of his joy. The skin 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 8 churchly expression partially de- stroyed by the combined effect of torn collar, dusty clothes. and a face purple with rage.
 When Captain Roberts got good look at the newcomer. his hope sank and his anger rose.
 Who Is this man?" he demanded of the crew.
 One of the men stepped forward, the pride of the capture shining in his face.
 Why 'e's the feller wot stole your clothes and wittles. to be sure," he said, "an' mighty 'ard customer @ is. We"
 Shut up, you idiot." roared the skipper: this ain't the man. l don't know who he is. l never saw him before."
 The crew stood dumbfounded.
 Well. 1t ain't our fault." said tho spokesman at last: he fits the de- scription you give us like it was made fer i'm. A small man. wearin' whisk- CTS, 'oo's very 'omely indeed. an 'as 8 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, Ill-"
 Calm yourself, sir." put in the cap tain soothingly. I'm sure it's as great a disappointment to me that you ain't the right thief, as 1t is to you. l apologize most humbly."
 'The right thief" roared the cap. tive; you internal scoundrel! Pll-"
 Its mistake. that's all." the skip per broke in; you've been mistook by these lads for ho-for fine-lOok in man in blue suit that's stole from me. You ain't the man. acknowl- edge 1t here an now. Nobody could be fairer than that"
 You'll suffer" began the injured man.
 q have suffered" Captain Roberts interrupted, "more than words can say. When saw you dragged aboard"
 "I will waste no more worlds" said the stranger; give me your name an the name of this vessel"
 Captain Roberts of the Mary Smith," said that gentleman. prompt