Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-10-26
Drifted In With the Tides
Sailor Braves Enormous Waves for Bottle He Didn't
Get-Swimming Test That Ended Qneerly.
Wooden Leg His Bank.

Gold put on burst of speed. Panic
seized him. He discarded what little
swimming technique he had and struck
wildly at the placid sea. Every time
he raised his arm to take . stroke now
agony stabbed through his head. His
muscles were knotted. His lungs
swelled until he thought they would
make a hole in his chest.
II shipped so much water I could
have sunk In o cup Of tea" he said
My eyes we're sticking out of my head
an inch, from the pain. And all the
time could make out the Elsie Swift's
lights getting smaller and smaller.
began to YELL"
It was no good. He hadn't much
breath left. His yells were nothing but
hoarse gurgles He let himself no then.
here comes a first-class rust clipper"
His feet went down slowly. about three
feet, then scraPed bottom.
Was Over Sand BAR.
"'Was I in heaven?' ] asked myself,
and then found out. wasn't In heav-
en-, but on the sand bar. which vas
just as good for me-"
That was what current had done for
Gold. 1t has caught him and steadily
pushed him back to land. An isnemin.
ious end to a bold start but Gold and
Falstaf are agreed that igpominy y
only word.
MY wife before me kept her money
In her stocking" said John Woodin,
days ago, "and I keep it in my leg, my
wooden enc. It's as simple as that"
But now John has what's left Of his
money in the bank and he's walking on
crutch. This, however, Is emily tenn
porafy. When he gets another pegleg
his money comes out Of the bank and
his cruteh gees cut the window.
Long John" took q snooze in jean
nette Park, New York, ene evening. Two
thugs set upon him. One snatched on
Woodin'S tron-shod, leather -Socketed peg
leg and dealt him blow on the head,
and Long john" continued his dream.
Took Leg With Them.
When he came to his leg was gone
Angry, disheveled and blood stained he
hoped into the Seamen's Church In
stitute across the street, made his way
to his roern. took the rest Of his money,
and deposited it in the institute bank.
Then he went to the clinic to be treated.
He Is nov locking for Q new leg with
wi BAh4 "pkVOA R8110Ck.
I've smelled salt in every port In the
world, and I'm telling you it's Q dogs
life"
The man was net a. vehement as his
words indicate. He was too busy with q
veal outlet and peas which would not
stay on his knife. Middle-aaed, thin and
tall, it was only by his horny red skin
that you could tell he was a sailor.
The only time I get grub At to
Until 1.
Ina ashore. AT sea never get petas
toes, butter or marmalade. Condensed
milk is rare luxury Mustard and
pickles? I'm laughing at you. And
the most you can say for the coffee and
tee is that they're warm and wet"
Working on Gravy.
The outlet had disappeared. He was
now working on the gravy with q hunk
Of bread and great relish.
When you get on shore the land
They dope you with poison booze. You
get fighting mad, blind to the world,
and when you come to you're busted, In
deserted alley or In jail.
"At sea it's just as bad. You're at
the mercy of bucko skipper and hard
hitting mates. Some pup Of a third
officer on my last cruise gave me such
q Kick that my teeth are stlu Fattllng.
Now what kind of life is that? They
call US ordinary seamen. They're right.
Damned ordinary"
BY this time he was slowing the
coffee into his hold. His arm, long and
narrow, locked like . cargo boom.
Well" said, you can always get q
Job on farm or as q Waterman"
Dreamy Look In Eyes.
"On . farm?" A dreamy look came
| into his eyes. Yes, that would be the
place for me. And that's where I'll end
up"
"Eyentually-why not now?" I per-
sisted.
IN tell you, mate he said. THE sea
is In my blood. When it's in your blood
you can't get it out"
Nothing was left Of . four-square
meal but crumbs and Q few coffee
stains. He was puff1ng grandly at 0
cigar had given him.
Besides" he continued, ut amt such
bad life after all"
It's wonderful what digestion can do
/ for a man.
'cOpsrisht' 1880, by North American News
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