The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1923-10-19

came the tug Reuben S. Watson, the
skipper OF which, following famous
precedent, had taken his little daugh-
ter to bear him company. 1t was to
this fact that Marlowe really owed his
rescue. Women have often a vein of
sentiment In them where men can only
see the hard business side Of a situa-
ton; and It was the shippers daugh-
ter who insisted that the family boat
hook, then in use as O harpoon for
spearing dollar bills. should be de-
voted to the less profitable but hui
rnaner end Of extricating the young
man from a watery grave.
The skipper had grumbled bit at
first, but. had given wayne always
spoiled the girl-with the result that
Sam found himself sitting on the deck
of the tug engaged in the complicated
process CT restoring his faculties to
the normal, In a sort of dream he
perceived Mr.. Swenson rise to the sur
face some feet away, adjust his derby
hat, and, after one long look of dislike
In his direction, swim off rapidly to
intercept a five which was floating
under the stern Of a nearby skiff.
Sam sat on the deck and painted.
He played on the boards like a public
fountain. At the back of his mind
there was Pickering thought that
he wanted to do something, a vague
feeling that he had some sort Of an
appointment which he must keep; but
he was unable to think what it was
Meanwhile. he conducted tentative ex-
periments with his breath. 1t was so
long since he had last breathed that
he had lost the knack Of it.
"Well, aincher, wet?" said voice.
The shippers daughter was standing
beside him, looking down commiserat-
ingly. OF the rest Of the family all he
could see was the broad blue seats OF
their trousers as they leaned hopefully
over the side in the quest for wealth.
"Yessir! You sure are wet. Gee
l never seen anyone so wet! seen
wet guys, but never seen anyone so
wet as you. Yessir, you're certainly
weti" (
Il am Wet" admitted Sam.
''Yessir, you're wet! Vets the word
all right. Good and wet, that's what
you are!"
Its the water" said Sam. His
brain was still clouded; he wished he
could remember what that appoint
ment was. That's what has made me
Wet
tits sure made you wet all right"
agreed the girl. She looked at him
interestedly. "Wotcha do it for?' she
asked.
.Do it for9"
Eyes, wotcha do it for? How come?
Wotcha do Brodie for off'n that ship?
/ didn't see 1t myself. but pa says you
come walloping down off'n the deck
like sack of potatoes"
Sam uttered sharp cry. He had
remembered.
Where is she?"
where's whc?"
"The liner" II
"She's off down the river, guess.
She was swinging round, the last l
seen of her.
She's pot gone?''
"Sure she's gone. Wotcha expect
her to do? She's gotta get over to
the other side, amt she? Cert'nly
she's gone" She looked at him inter-
ested. do you want to be on board
her?'
"Of course l do"
"Then for the love of Pete wotcha
doin' wallopin' off'n the deck like
sack of potatoes?''
Il slipped. was pushed or some
thing" Sam sprang to his feet and
looked wildly about him. Il must get
back. Isn't there any way Of getting
backY
"Well, you could catch up with her
at quarantine out in the bay. She'll
stop to let the pilot off,"
"Can you take me to Quarantine?"
The girl glanced doubtfully at the
seat of the nearest pair of trousers.
"Well, we could" she said. "But
pas kind offset in his ways, and right
now he's fishing for dollar bills with
the boathook. He's apt to get sorta
mad If he's interrupted"
"Ill give him fifty dollars if he'll
put me on board"
Got it on your" inquired the nymph
coyly. She had her share of senti-
ment, but she was her fathers daugh-
ter and inherited from him the bust
ness sense.
Here it Is" He pulled out his
pocketbook. The book was dripping,
but the contents were only fairly
moist.
pa" said the girl.
The trouser-seat remained where it
was-deaf to its child's cry.
pal Commerce. Wantcha!"
"But ! suppose all brave men
are modest"