The weekly Iberian. (New Iberia, La.) 1894-1946, 1920-12-18


ranks One or two of the faces lit up suddenly,
soughed 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 as its own.
you've got to thank my wife for that" went
ON Hapshott. "Shes asked to give you a
Chrstmas-a Christmas you'll have Make the
most Of it. There'll be a fresh served for
dinner tomorrow, and there'll 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
ave wish der lady for to dank," grunted Ger
man sailmaker, lingering his cap. Hey, boys,
vat you says? Aindt 1t right?"
"Yes-ja-dots it, Hans the replies.
Mrs. Hapshott aware of strange compress
sion in her throat; her eyes smarted. A stiffen-
ing Of the followed by something faint
ly resembling cheer; then the men went forward
souchngly. 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 nimbe hands had been busy with pins
and wool, and now there was something for
them all, warm caps that completely covered
mans head and held him immune from frostbite
in the most rigorous weather; muff1ers jerseys;
not forgotten Even the greasy cook
man of foul speech and uncean habits, found
himself the possessor of sleeved waistcoat knit
ted out of the feeciest wool.
II hope you'll have a 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 came round, and steaming kits
were passed into the forecastle kits that
tanned savory joints from the pOrker killed over
night. The men ate and were thankful but when
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 herself-last night; mixed the whole bloomin'
thing with her own hands. Amt it 'OnerY
1t was-a very giant among buildings, and as
toOthsO.ne as it 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 he embarked upon
it: no half-water measures for him. Each man,
receiving his allowance, raised his drinking YES
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 on deck
"Hiram-what was that?" The skipper chad
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 clutched at bis
arm and held tightly.
whats what? He had been thinking what a
fool he would seem If the story were ever told
of the day now past and his manner was ungra-
cious.
.sThat!" 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 o6t, listening. The wind was wa1ling
again: the ship had almost lost her way; she was
only crawling through the water to the accom-
paniment of Tapping canvas aloft
"Hiram, It wasn't q sea bird!" The woman's
voice was full of something to which her husband
could put no name.
ut must have been-what else could it be,
lass?'
.sTo me 1t sounded -like-but, no, that's foolish
ness Nv mind is playing me tricks husband"
Rut she did not leave the rail for fully twenty
minutes, and then 1t was to step down the ladder