The Washington times., 1939-01-06

as though you can count the
bricks on the wall Of a building a
mile away. Tony and his friends,
Fatso Kelly and Fred Bandy, were
set for a fishing expedition.
Tony, being very prompt, was
the first to reach the Battery,
whence they planned to take one
of those big fishing boats that
carry all corners out few miles
off the Jersey coast for blues or
whatever else happens to be run
ming. Tony felt a little self-con-
Scious standing there, because
he'd never been fishing before,
and he could see from what other
men boarding the boat were wear
ing that he wasn't properly
dressed.
He felt even more embarrassed
when Fatso and Fred arrived.
Look, Fatso, it's the Duke Of
Montmorency," Bandy yelled.
Until the boat started. his two
friends couldn't get in enough
ribbing, and the rest Of the boat
load soon took it up. Tony didn't
lose his temper, but you could see
he didn't go for it. His regular
features settled into a cold grin,
and his comebackS ceased entirely.
A man came around then. and
passed SandwornS out to all the
Fishermen. Tony held his hand
out, and the repulsive, wriggling
mass of worms dropped into it be-
fore he knew what was coming.
He dropped them quickly, and
came to his feet, his face white.
and his blue eyes blazing.
"Tt'S the bait, Tony, the bait, I"
Fred said. What's the matter
afraid to handle a couple Of
worms?"
Fatso just laughed. The other
men chuckled, and one sounded
the Bronx cheer. Tony said moth
ing, and withdrew to the forepeak
of the boat looking out over the
water.
A MISTAKE
well, that's a funny one, Fred. !"
Fatso looked surprised. II didn't
think Tony'd take that" He shook
his head III a puzzled manner.
"Yea-that guy'n take any
thing" another fisherman who sat
near Fred and FatSo remarked.
Hes a sister," He raised his
voice. How about it, baby, you
want mommuh to bait a hook?"
Tony failed to turn his head and
the man laughed hoarsely.
"See?" he chuckled, "you could
push that guy around all day and
he wouldn't say nothin.'"
FatSo and Fred turned toward
the speaker, their faces hard.
Listen, wise guy" Fred said,
ANY more cracks and you'll have
someone to try to push around.
And it won't be him."
To their anxious queStioningS
Tony turned a deaf ear for awhile.
But, Geez," Fred urged, "you
can't let guys make cracks like
that-it makes you look bad,
Tony"
The De Greece eyes flashed.
Don't you think I know what
those guys think? Wasn't I
brought up in Eighteenth Street
and Ninth Avenue? But what the
hell do I care what they say. Listen
i get along all right-that's all
I want to know. So what if I
picked fight with that fellow,
would I get anything?"
Glumly, the three friends sat on
the forepeak, munching their sand
wicheS, no longer greatly inter
ested in fishing, each other, or
even the remains of the hot but
tered rum. Presently Tony jumped
to his feet and pointed ahead.
Their boat had hauled anchor, and
was proceeding toward another
fishing ground. Dead ahead was a
small power cruiser, and from its
cabin black smoke was pouring.
Look" Tony shouted. cts on
fire" He Sh AIDED his eyes.
There's a man and a woman on
it. There's somebody else" He
peered intently. "A kid. little
girl"
Even as they looked, they could
see the man put life preServer
on the woman, on the child. and
himself. Then taking the little
girl in his arms. he jumped over
board, the woman following quick
ly after him. They had barely
fought clear of the little craft,
when the fire reached the gaso-
line tank which exploded, rending
the cruiser apart.
God, that water must be cold,"
FatsO said. He saw that Tony was
shivering at the thought of being
in it. AS he returned his glance to
the three struggling figures.
g:eat timber from the boat landed
on the man in the water, striking
him on the head and knocking
him unconscious. Buoyed up as
he was by his life-preserver. he
didn't sink, but did relax his grip
on the little girl who floated to-
ward the fishing boat.
The stranger who had ribbed
Tony stood at the rail, looking at
the spot where the child had sunk. !!
W'1 2V