Elbert County tribune and Elbert County banner., 1920-12-17

ranks One two of the faces lit up suddenly
sloughed off their assumed age, and became young
and comely once more. 1t 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 Its own.
you've got to thank my wife for that" went
on Hapshott "Shes asked to give you
Christmas-a Christmas you'll have. Make the
most OF 1t. Therell be a fresh mess served for
dinner tomorrow. and there'll be grog for all
hands nt eight BELLS That's all-dismiss"
The men broke up, walked forward slowly,
then. as II moved by q common impulse they
came back.
We Wish der lady for to dank." grunted Ger
man samaker. lingering his cap Hey boys
vat you says7 Aindt II right"
"Yes-ja-dots it. Hans" came tho replies
Mrs Hapshott was aware of a strange compress
sion in her throat; her eyes smarted. stiffen-
Ing Of the crew was followed by something faint
ly resembling cheer; then the men went forward
souchingly. 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 nmble hands had been busy with pins
and WOOL and now there something for
them all. warm caps that completely covered a
mans head and held him immune from frostbite
In the most rigorous Weatners mufnerS JERSEYS.
not one was forgotten. Even the greasy cook a
of foul speech and uncean habits found
himself the possessor of sleeved waistcoat knit
ted out of the heecest wool.
81 hope youth have merry Christmas, men,"
said Mrs Hapshott, and they cheered her-they
were gaining practice-untii 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
1t herself-last night; mixed the whole bloomip'
thing with her own hands Amt 1t q 'oner? p
1t was-a very giant among puddIngs and as
toOthsome as 1t was vast. Came, In the midst of
the revels, call aft, where the steward stood at
the capstan with dlpper in his hand. Each
man, presenting a pannikn. received a tot of
sterling grog for Captain Hapshott had resolved
to do the thing well he was embarked upon
1t; no hnlf-water measures for him. Each man,
receiving his allowance, raised his drinking ves-
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 sea.
Mrs. Hapshott rose slipped on her clothing and
went swiftly out deck.
"Hiram-what was thatT The skipper had
awakened and missing her. had made for the
deck. The faint streaks In the sky showed him
strange figure. clad in gaudy sleeping suit such
as sailors love- Mrs. Hapshott cutched at bis
arm and held tightly
whats what?" He had been thinking what
fool he would seem II the story ever told
OF the day past. and his manner ungra-
cious
That |" Her finger was outstretched and Quv-
ering but all beyond was still dark.
"A sea bird-your nerves are on edge" he told
her.
Mrs. Hapshott drew herself to the taffrail and
leaned out, listening. The wind waling
again the ship had almost lost her way; she
only crawling through the water to the accom-
panment of tapping canvas aloft.
"Hiram. 1t wasn't a sea birdl" The woman's
voice full of something to which her husband
could put name.
at must have been-what else could It be-
lass7'
ITO me 1t 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 It was to step down the ladder