The review. [volume] (High Point, N.C.) 1908-19??, 1920-12-16

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 q
festival of delight in those bygone days before
the hungry claimed them its
you've got to thank my wife for that went
Hapshott. ashes asked me to give you a
Christmas-a Christmas you'll have. Make the
most of it. There'll be a fresh mess served for
dinner tomorrow. and there'n be grog for all
hands at eight bells. That's all-dismss"
The men broke up, walked forward slowly,
then, If moved by common impulse, they
back.
ave 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-dots it, Hans" the replies
Mrs. HapshOtt was aware Of strange compress
sion in her throat; her eyes smarted. stiffen-
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 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
them all, warm caps that completely covered
mans mead and held him immune from frOStbite
in the most rigorous weather; muff1ers jerseys;
not one was forgotten. Even the greasy cook a
of foul speech and unclean habits, found
himself the pOSSeSsOr of a sleeved waistcoat knit
ted out of the feeciest wool.
II hope you'll have a merry Christmas, men,"
said Mrs. Hapshott, and they cheered her-they
gaining practice-until the idle yards
seemed to swing in answer.
Dinner time round, and steaming kits
were passed into the fOrecastle, kits that
tanned savOry joints from the porker killed over
night. The ate and thankful, but when
q 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 hersef-last night; mixed the whole bloomin'
thing with her own hands. Amt it a 'onerY'
1t Was-a very giant among puddngs and as
toothsome it was 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 pannikin, received a tot of
sterling grog, for Captain Hapshott had resolved
to do the thing we'll now he embarked upon
it; no half-water measures for him. Each man,
receiving his allowance raised his drinking
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 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 a
strange figure, clad in a gaudy sleeping suit such
as sailors love. Mrs. Hapshott clutched at bis
and held tightly
"Whats What?' He had been thinking what
fool he would if the story told
of the day past, and his manner ungra-
ciOus.
"That" Her finger outstretched and quiv-
ering, but all beyond was still dark
ga bird-your are 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.
"Hram, it wasn't a bird!" The woman's
voice was full of something to which her husband
could put no name.
"It must have heen-what else could it be-
lass?"
"To me it sounded like-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 1t was to step down the ladder