The Washington times., 1938-03-26

type.
Dungarees are pale and worn
looking, If you are salty, dress
blues are tailor-made and fit you
like the paper on the wall. You
neckerchief is thin and the knot
hangs almost as low as the aldo
men, with the smallest possible
ends hanging from it. You have
a sort Of don 't-give-a-darn attitude
belied by the fact that you know
your job and do it conscientiously
Dennis admired all these quail
ties very much, principally be-
cause, as a raw boot, he lacked
them all
He hadn't gone two steps across
the deck when a foot interposed
itself between his and he landed
on his face with a crash.
READY FOE SCRAP
"Where was yuh goin'?" A
hoarse voice, filled with mock po'
likeness, came through the daze
created by his fall, and he looked
up to see a man with a dirty white
cap on his head, dungaree shirt.
very salty, open at the throat, and
a pair of similarly battered dun,
garee pants.
This, although Dennis didn't
know it, was Burt Barberino
known far and wide as the tough.
est C. P. o. in the Atlantic Fleet
and chief boatswain's mate.
whats the idea?" Dennis had
hauled himself to his feet and was
advancing toward Barberino men
acingly.
The c. P. o.'s rugged features
lit with a curiouSly gentle smile.
"Yuh wouldn' hit me, wouldya?
he cooed at the red-faced and furi'
Gus boot. Dennis was on the point
of doing so, when his arm was
grasped from behind and a biting
voice spoke in his ear.
I'VE don't strike officers in the
navy, sailor"
Dennis whirled and recognized
the gold stripes of a warrant Off
GER. He saluted.
HE tripped me, sir"
"You were tripped, sailor, to re-
mind you to salute the ensign
when you come aboard. See that
you don't forget it next time"
LIFE IN THE NAVY
That was the start.
The executive officer, Jimson,
called Barberino to the bridge one
morning. Pointing to Dennis, on
hands and knees. chipping paint
off the deck.
what in Gods name is that
Barberino-a study in slow mo
tion?"
The C.P.O.'s face Redeemed. He
was responsible for the deck work,
and for all the deck personnel.
tits that boot German, sir"
Lieutenant Unison was a tri
umph of sarcastic concern.
Are you getting old, Barberino?
Do you need help to break in
boots?"
The red in Barberino's face
deepened to purple.
I'LL TAKE CARE OF HIM
"No, thank you sir. I'll take care
Of it myself"
Lieutenant Unison smiled softly
as he watched the broad back Of
the c. P. o. descending to the
main deck where Dennis, all I'm
aware, was chipping paint. He
smiled a little more, when Bar
berino exploded. down on the
deck.
Lowering an Id Sullen, Dennis
faced Barberino, and there was
something worse than resentment
for a bawling-out in his eyes. Lieu
tenant JimSon had seen that look
in mems eyes before, and he knew
what it could mean. c. P. O.s
the tough ones, that is, had dis
appeared at night following such
looks. A quick push at the right
time-and that was that. He
raised the port of the wheelhouse
German, come up here"
With a final look of pure hatred
at Barberino, Dennis made hi!
way to the bridge.
Suppose you tell me whats
wrong, German. Maybe there's
some way we can straighten vol
out" His voice was friendly, sym
pathetic, but Dennis had learned
to be suspicious.
Nothing, SIR" he said slowly
Nothing at ALL" He looked Jim