Vernon Parish Democrat. (Leesville, La.) 1917-193?, 1920-01-10

Amid an aWed silence. the mighty
Simpkins lowered himself into the wa
GerInan's skin, casting many black
looks behind. After his departure the
crew continued to stand with open
mouths, the mate smoked aggressive
~, and the captain announced that
something must be done
That's easy to say, the mate
sneered.
And hard to do" assented the
gloomy skipper.
Il was late in the afternoon when
Mr.. Simpkins returned. accompanied
by massive lady who taxed the wa
termans skin to the limit. and the diff
ficulty of whose elevation to the deck
of the Mary Smith inspired in a pass
ing riyerman the suggestion Of der
rick. An Unexpectedly meek and hum
BILE Mr.. Simpkins followed her,
weighed down beneath mountain Of
luggage.
Elijah" said Mrs. Simpkins. well
aboard, "the deck is very dirty"
1T shall be washed, my dear" Mr..
SImpkins assured her, with an uncer-
tain glance toward the skipper.
1T needs coat of paint, too" con-
tinued the critical Mrs. Simpl1ins;
''be sure and see to 1t the moment we
reach Greenport."
Without delay. my love-" assented
her lord and master.
Il believe the boat SMELLS went on
Mrs. Simpkins, shifting.
Perhaps it does" said the owner,
but it shall be thoroughly OVerhauled
the instant the new crew takes
charge" He glanced meaningIy at the
skipper and the mate, lowering in the
background.
Are these the rufiians who assault
ed your inquired the massive lady.
1.-TWO Of Them" murmured the as
saulted one.
Mrs. Simpkins gave fat but wither-
ing sneer. "Brutesl" she snapped.
The humbled skipper came forward
to put the cabin at the disposal of Mr..
and Mrs Simpkins. The mate and he,
he explained, had arranged to bunk
forward. Anything can do" he
began.
But Mrs. Simpkins pushed her hus-
band down the companiOn-way, and
after a peiling look in the
shippers direction, followed.
Late that evening the skipper and
the mate sat smoking by the rail,
while Mr.. Simpkins walked excitedly
up and down the deck.
This is my boat" he announced,
"and I'm going to be master here. I'm
running things. Tomorrow you all go.
wouldn't have you aboard for mill
lions. Ill run things to suit myself.
I'll"
Elijah" came a voice from the com.
panion-way.
Yes, my dear" said Mr.. Simpkins.
TITS time you were in bed" contin-
ued the voice.
YES, Maria agreed Mr.. Simplxins,
and disappeared below.
Something must be dOne,' an
nounced the skipper tremendously.
$50 you've said hundred times"
remarked the mate.
This is too good a berth to lose,"
went on the captain; WED all suf-
fer by giving it up"
$50 we would" assented the mate.
They smoked in silence for a time,
then the captain broke into uncon-
trOlled laughter.
''Tve thought of a Joke" he said. Il
want the cook to hear 1t. He likes a
good Joke. Go an call him, George"
The mate obeyed, presently return
ing with the astonished cook.
You know a good many young la
dies in Greenport, cook" said the skip
per.
"a few" replied the cook modestly.
"a lot" said the captain, land nice
ones, too, hear. just thought of
good joke, as / was telling the mate.
OF course it never could happen, an
/ can't imagine how it occurred to me.
It's a mystery mystery, but good
joke. You know Simpkins is a pillar
of a church an you know the sort Of
wife he's got. / was thinkin'-it's too
funny for words-hOw amusin' 1t
would be If tomorrow mornin' at
Greenport a young lady come aboard
-One O. the young ladies you know,
for instance. cook-an' found that
Simpkins was old flame O. hers.
Wild to see him again. and all that,
you know. We all like Simpy pretty
well, even If he is goin' to kick US
out, an If his wife wasn't round we'd
do all in our power to quiet the girl
an keep it from causin' Mrs. Simp-
lEins pain"
eve certainly would" said the mate,
smiling.
"Of course it's Just Joke thought
Of" the captain continued; at would
never happen"
Impossible" agreed the mate. The
cook shifted uneasily.
you've good berth here, cook,
said the skipper; we've all good
berths."
YES, sir" said the dazed cook.