Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1921-09-22
BY EARL pERR sleeERs.
Copyright by the Ada

tCopyrght by the ADAMS
BY EARL oERR eIGGERs.
The captain Of the Mary Smith. en-
gagged In q hasty search for an extra
seaman. paused hopefully beside
time-scarred veteran in the barrOOm
of the Sailors Friend.
''Busy?" he inquired.
The ancient mariner seized his half
emptied glass firmly. quite" he said
decidedly.
Doing what?" asked the captain.
'Restin'," replied the veteran.
Resin from q long an adventurous
life by land an sea. In many far
ports I've been. an many queer ex-
periences ave / 'ad-"
How about another BERTH" pur-
sued the skipper.
Not for love or money" said the
retired seaman: me an the ocean
wave has parted company fer good"
But I'd make Il worth your WHILE
insisted the captain.
You'd ave to make II worth more
than my while. wotever that 10. re-
turned the other discouragingly: me
an the river don't speak as we pass
by"
The exasperated captain was tempt
ed to remark that the other looked
the part OF a stranger to water, but
remembering the pausity OF sailOrmen.
chokod 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'
to sail at noon. Before We start. |
want another A. b. aboard. I've
looked all morning"-he paused. and
decided that IL would be unwlse 10
mention his failure to encounter a SIN
gle available seaman-'all morning.
he repeated. AN you're the most en-
perIenced sailor I've come across"
"Ay. ay." interposed the fattered
one; Tin many ports I've been"
The work is easy" the skipper hur-
ried on, an you'll find me a kind
master. don't look a hard one. do II
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
suppose there's a red plush chair
fer me TO smoke my pipe in. an can
asback duck fer breakfast every
morning"
I'm not here to talk nonsense" add
cd the captain warmly.
Then you oughter stop tryin' Il
tempt old Joseph Dobbs back to- the
sailors life" the other returned. "fel
that's the worst nonsense there is
No. sir: I'm here. an the rivers there
an here an there we stay"
Il like you. Dobbs. said the captain
Stimulating n Kindness he by no means
felt. Il want you aboard the Mary
Smith. Amt there nothin' can say
will make you consider it,
Nothing" said Mr. Dobbs firmly
AN even II did consider it-mind
you ] amt sayin' l will cOuldn't
think o goin among decent sailormer
In these clothes. They're an insult
to the calling. That's the sorrow o
my retired 1ife-that ! couldn't retire
in good clothes
Don't let that worry you" the cap
tain assured him. we Amt perticu
lar about them things aboard the Mary
Smith. II anyone made fun o your
clothes. I'D brain them"
You're kind skipper" Mr.. DObb:
returned. AN it's your kind ear
makes you say that But | wouldnt
be a disgrace to the Mary Smith. not
fer worlds"
Captain Roberts looked at the clock
then across the deserted barroon
through the door that opened into q
deserted street.
What would you say" he asked. III
offered to buy you a new suit if'you
come aboard. And take II out o your
pay later" he added. In a tone in
audible TO Mr.. Dobbs.
I'D say you amt a skipper-you're
Q fairy" Mr.. Dobbs said. an don't
believe In fairies. so I'D ave to say
you was drunk. II nd be ard. bat I'd
ave to say It,"
I'm in earnest" the captain In
sisted: brand new toys. II amt ev
cry day such a offer is made"
1T amt every day you meet a sail
orman like me-" returned the redoubt
able Dobbs. in many far ports"
win new clothes bring you aboarC
the Mary smith," the skipper brok,
in. "or won't they? l want to know
now
Mr.. DObbs thought deeply. At lengtl
he spoke.
They would" he said. N l had tn
strength 20 walk 20 the quay. Blu
'aVen't. Not bit o breakfast 'av
/ 'ad. except two glasses O. beer"
The captain engaged in some rapi
mental arithmetic in which Mr. Dobb:
first months pay figured TO a consider
able extent.
I'll ada a breakfast. then" he cor
coded ut last.
Il GOuld almost be suspicious OF
man so good as you" Mr.. Dobbs d.
clared. you don't seem human-mor
like an angel. An | always was SUI
picious OF angels
The captain led the way TO the dill
ing room, where AR Dobbs consume
an unusual breakfast. his wande
ing tastes being occasioned. as he e,