Vernon Parish Democrat. (Leesville, La.) 1917-193?, 1920-01-10
Bread Cast Upon lie Waters
Captain Of The Good Ship Mary Smith Maneuvers to
Hold His Post as Well a. That Of Mates Who
Were About to Be Discharged BY
Vctmized Owner
scagIsh. b. "a Aaama Newsgapar serviee yoEkl
" I'D PIE RIoGERs.

ac4HlAut bauSou AOp1AuAy pSSAoS y
timescarred veteran in the barroom
o. the Sailors Friend.
-Busy?' he inquired.
Thesancient nar1nsf sailed his half
emptied- glass firmly. Quite. he said
decidedly.
doing whatY" asked the captain.
Resin" replied the veteran,
F.restin' from long an adventurous
life by land an sen. In many far
ports I've been, an many queer ex-
periences ave l adj"
How about another berth?' pur-
sued the skipper.
mot for love or money. said the
retired seaman; me an the ocean
wave has parted company fer good.
"But I'd make It worth your while"
insisted the captain.
YOU'D ave to make it worth more
than my while. wotever that is" re-
turned the other discOuragingly; me
an the river don't speak as we pass
by."
The exasperated captain was tempt
Cd TO remark that the other looked
the part OF stranger to water, but
remembering the paucity Of sailormen,
choked down his resentment.
"see here" he said, I'm Captain
Roberts OF the Mary Smith. I've got
TO meet the new owner Of my boat at
Greenport this evening, an we're gOin'
70 sail at noon. Before we start, l
want another A. b. aboard. I've
looked all morning paused, and
decided that Il would be unwise to
laeption his failure to encounter a sim
KIe available seaman''all morning,
he repeated. IAN you're the most ex-
Derienced sailor I've come across.
'Ay, az" interposed the battered
one; Gin many ports I've been"
sThe work IL easy" the skipper hur-
ried on, IAN youn ind me a kind
master. don't look hard one, do ~
I'D hate to say wot you look" re-
piled the other. Then observing the
captains purple face, he added hast
lily; MY eyesight's very poor. Any
how. looks don't count. The coolest
skipper / ever sailed under wore
pretty red neckties. An as fer the
easy work. that's wot they all say.
4 suppose there's red plush. chair
fer me to smoke my pipe in, an can
vas-back duck fer breakfast every
morning"
Tn not here to talk nonsense, add
ed the captain warmly.
''Then you Oughter stop tryin' to
tempt old Joseph DObbs back to the
sailors life" the other returned, ''fer
ahat's the worst nonsense there is.
No. sir; I'm here, an the rivers there,
an here an there we stay"
q like you, Dobbs," said the captain,
Stimulating a kindness he by no means
felt 4 want you aboard the Mary
smith. Amt there nothin' l can say
win make you consider it?"
Nothing" said Mr.. Dobbs firmly;
an even IL did consider it--mind
you l amt sayin' will couldn't
think O. goin' among decent sailormen
IN these clothes. They're an insult
TO the calling. That's the sorrow O
my retired life-that l couldn't retire
in good clothes"
Don't let that worry yOu," the cap
tain assured him, I'VE amt perticu-
lar about them things aboard the Mary
smith If anyone made fun o. your
clothes, I'd brain them"
You're a kind skipper" Mr. Dobbs
returned. IAN it's your kind cart
makes you say that. But l wouldn't
be a disgrace to the Mary Smith, not
Ger worlds"
Captain Roberts looked at the clock,
then across the deserted barroom
through the door that opened into
deserted street.
what would you say" he asked, IF
offered to buy you new suit II you
come aboard. And take It out O. your
pay later" he added, in a tone In
audible to Mfr. Dobbs.
I'D say you amt a skipper-you're
q fairy" Mr.. DObbs said. IAN ! don't
believe in fairies. so I'D ave to say
you was drunk. It I'd be ard. but I'D
ave to say It"
"I'm in earnest" the captain In
sisted; brand new toys. It amt ev-
cry day such a offer is made"
It,ain't every day you meet q sail
9rman like me-" returned the redopbt-
able Dobbs. sin many far ports &
win new clothes bring you aboard
the Mary Smith," the skipper broke
in. ''or won't they? / want to know
now"
Mr. Dobbs thought deeply. At length
be spoke.
They would" he said. IF had the
strength to walk to the quay. But
'aven't Not a bit o. breakfast ave
. ad, except two glasses o. beer
The captain engaged in some rapid
mental arithmetic in which Mr. Dobbs'
first months pay figured to a consider
able extent.
'I1l add a breakfast. then" he con-
ceded at last
Il could almost be suspicious Of a
man 50 good as YOU Mr.. Dobbs de-
clared. you don't seem human-more