The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1920-12-17

ranks. One or two of the faces lit up suddenly.
sloughed of 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 q
festival Of delight in those bygone days before
the hungry sea claimed them as its own.
You've got to thank my wife for that" went
on Hapshott. shes asked me to give you a
Christmas Christmas you'll have. Make the
most of it. There'll be fresh mess served for
dinner tomorrow. and there' be grog for all
hands at eight bells. That's all-dismiss."
The men broke up. walked forward slowly.
then. as If moved by common impulse, they
came back.
I've wish der lady for to dank." erunted Ger
man sailmaker. lingering his cap Hey. boys.
vat you says? Aindt it right?"
'Yes-ja-dot's 1t. Hans" came the 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
slouchinry- Their tongues were busy and they
wondered
Still did they wonder Christmas day
when. two bells having sounded aft. Mrs Hup-
shott appeared among them. her arms piled high
with gifts. From the commencement of the voy-
age her nimble hands had been busy with pins
and wool, and there was something for
them all. caps that completely covered
mans head and held him immune from frostbite
In the most rigorous weather; mufiers Jerseys;
not forgotten. Even the greasy cook a
Of foul speech and unclean habits found
himself the pOssessor of sleeved waistcoat knit
ted out of the ieeciest wool.
II hope you'll have merry Christmas men,"
said Mrs Hapshott, and they cheered her-they
were gaining practice-until the Idle Yards
seemed to swing in answer.
Dinner time round and steaming kits
were passed into the forecastle, kits that con-
IN fS he Had
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
it hersef-last night mixed the whole bloomin'
thing with her own hands. Amt it 'oner?"
1t was-a very giant among puddngs. and as
toothsome 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 a pannikn. received a tot of
sterling grog, for Captain Hapshott had resolved
to do the thing well now he embarked upon
IT. no half-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 a 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.
"Hram-what 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 gaudy sleeping suit such
as sailors love. Mrs Hapshott clutched at bis
arm and held tightly.
whats what?' He had been thinking what
fool he would seem if the story were ever told
of the day past, and his manner was ungra
cious.
"That!" Her finger outstretched and quiv-
erng, but all beyond still dark.
"a bird-your nerves are on edge" he told
her.
Mrs Hapshott drew herself to the taffral and
leaned out, listening. The wind wailing
again the ship had almost lost her way she was
only crawling through the water to the accom-
paniment of tapping canvas aoft
''Hiram, 1t wasn't birdi' The womans
voice full of something to which her husband
could put name.
at must have been-what else could 1t be-
lass?"
'To me 1t sounded lke-but, no, that's foolish
ness. My mind is playing tricks husband"
But she did not leave the rail for fully twenty
minutes and then 1t was to step down the ladder