Polk County news. [volume] (Benton, Tenn.) 191?-1983, 1920-12-16

0rmen are dogs ana the more you
Beat q dog the better it is. SO with sailors.
Grind 'em down. rule em with an iron hand, and
they'll not only do their work at the run but
they'll come crawling along and ask you for
more That's my experience and 30 years at sea-
man and boy hasn't inclined to dispute facts
&S they stand"
81 call it cruelty" said his wife without heat,
Tor she woman of sadness.
= She knew the cause of that sadness, as did her
husband, but it was never mentioned between
ahem by tact agreement. Twenty-Five years of
married life had resulted in fine endurance of
marital affection-the shippers long absences
from home might have accounted for that in some
measure. The two were good friends, and bick-
lering between them was a thing unknown. There
had been one Child-very many years ago, but 1t
only raised it's voice in the great world
and before the mothers heart had quickened in
response the voice was stilled forever The Lord
mad given; He had also taken away, and Mrs.
Hapstl0tt endeavored to say BLESSED be the name
Of the Lord" with good grace, though at times
the saying hard
To hide his emotion the captain threw gruff-
mess into his voice. I'm thinking l made mis-
take in bringing you to sea, lass he said. ut
ISN'T a place for women, least of all soft-hearted
women such as you But you begged and
prayed and the owners seemed willing"
at got to be lonely waiting there ashore, Hi
Ram" she said simply. ut at nights, when
when the wind hOwled and the snow fell every
where-I saw other women happy and coInpan-
hOnable. with their about them; and lit
was more than l could stand. 1t would have been
easier Tiff there'd-if Amos had lived" He I'M
merstoOd and his rough gnared hand crept out
along the rail until it rested hers with the
Rressure of sympathy.
Hiram, want to ask you favor
ats Christmas day In. two days time. Are
zOu going to give the Christmas-a proper
&:hriStmasT'
Hapshott opened his mouth and laughed, a
hugh that was pregnant with cynicism.
Give them Christmas-a proper Christmas!
by which l suppose you mean holiday and
christmas fare? Why lass, they wouldn't know
what to do with it If they had it. Besides, we
aren't fitted for Christmas meals There's a
Brace of chickens In the coop that'll make our
dinner that day-Tve been saving them up on
purpose but beyond the pig for'ard-"
"Give them proper Christmas, Hiram" plead
cd Mrs Hapshott earnestly. ITS wonderful
day ashore though sad one. That is, for me-"
nhe amended. 81 always get thinking of the Child
and of how happy His mother must have been,
though she lost Him. too she lost Him"
She thought the wound was fairly healed, but
che hot tears gushed to her faded pathetic eyes.
HapshOtt himself turned away, for he knew the
ache at her heart; 1t companioned the void at his
Swn.
~All hands muster aft" cried Captain Hapshott
The men souched along to the afterdeck and
grouped themselves under the poop break. The
moon sprang up from the blackening sea, and
Rhone redly upon them; full round ball. 1t
showed sullen Respondent faces, faces without Il
none Mrs Hapshott drew near to the pinrail
and looked down, her heart welled full of pity.
she had done something-she had given these
~yerworked beasts of burden one days rest at
least.
ats stand by till midnight tomorrow" said
ahe skipper In a voice that he fondly hoped be-
hrayed no shame. "Theres holiday from now
en- You'll take your wheels and lookputs as
Susual beyond that-nothlng. Underestimate