TIIE OMAHA DAILY JJEE : TUESDAY , OCTOBER IS , 1SJ)8. )
A SMOKED SKIPPER.
= = = n.vv. . . w , JACOKS.
Author of "Many Carcocs" and "The Skipper's Woolne. "
( Copyright , UW , by AV. W. Jacobs. )
"Wapplng Old Stairs , " oaltl the roUKU In
dividual , Bhouldtrlng ( ho brand new sea
chest and starting oft nt a trot with It , "yiiB.
I know the place , captln. Fust v'y'ge , sir ? "
"Ay , ay , roy litartV. " replied the owner ot
the chest , a srnaJI , lll-looklnc lad of 14.
"Not so fast with those timbers ut yours.
IJ'yo hear ? "
"All right , sir , " said the man , and , slack-
cnlng his pace , twisted his head around to
take stock ot his companion.
"This nln't your fust v'y'fio , captln , " ho
eald , admiringly ; "don't tell me. 1 could
Owlg that directly I sco you. Ho , whrtt'a the
UBO o' trying to aim It over a poor , ' .ml-
working man llko that ? "
" 1 don't think there's much about the sea
' " the In a satisfied
1 don't know , sold boy
voice. "Starboard , starboard , your liVIum a
bit. "
The man obeyed promptly. They i\ent
the remainder of the distance In this fashIon -
Ion , to the great Inconvenience of people
coming from the other direction.
"And a cheap 'art crown's worth , too. cap-
tin , " said the bay , turning to a watermun
who was clltlug in his bout , holding on to
Iho side of the stops with hts hand.
"All right , " bald this .nan , "give us a hold
o' your box. "
"Put It aboard , " mid the boy to the ether
man.
"A * right ) , captln , " said the man , with a
cheerful smile , "but I'll 'avc my 'urf crown
fust , If you don't mind. "
"Hut you said sixpence at iho station , "
said the boy.
"Two an' sixpence , aiptln , " said the man ,
still smiling , "but I'm a bit 'usky an * p'rays
you didn't car the two. 'Art n crown's the
rcglor price. Wo ain't allowed to Oo It un
der. "
"Well , I won't tell anybody , " said the boy.
"Give the man 'Is 'art crown , " said the
waterman with sudden heat ; "that's 'la
price an' my faro's 18 pence. "
"All right , said the boy , readily , "cheap ,
too. I didn't know the price , that's all.
Hut I can't pay cither of you till I get
aboard. I've only got sixpence. I'll tell
the captain to glvo you the rest. "
"Tell 'oo ? " demanded the light porter
with some violence.
' The captain , " said the boy.
"Look 'ere , you give mo that 'art crown , "
said the other , "else I'll chuck your box
overboard an' you after it. "
"Walt a minute , then , " said the boy dart
ing away up the narrow alloy which led tc
the stairs. "I'll go and get change. "
" 'Es goln' to change 'art a euvron' 01
p'raps a suvrcn , " said the waterman , "you'll
better make it flvo bob , matey. "
"Ah , an' you make yours more , " said
the light porter , cordially. "Well I'm
-well , of nil the "
"Get oft that box , " said tbo big police-
ican who had come back with the boy
"Tako your sixpence an * go. If I catch yoi
down this way again "
Ho finished the sentence by taking tin
fellow by the scruff of the neck and giving
him a violent push as ho passed him.
"Waterman's fare la throe-pence , " ho sali
to the boy as the man In the boat with at
utterly expressionless face took the cbrsi
from him. "I'll stay hero till he has pu
you aboard. "
The boy took his scat and the watermar
breathing hard pulled out toward the vessel !
In the tlor. 'Ho ' looked at tbo boy and thor
at the figure on tbo steps and apparent ! )
Bupprcsslng matrons' Inclination .totspeali
pat violently over the side.
"Fine big chap , ain't ho ? " Bald the boy
The waterman , affecting not to hear
looked over his shoulder and pulled stronglj
with bis left toward a email schooner , fron
the deck of which a couple of men won
watching the small figure In the boat.
"That's the boy I was going to tell yoi
about , " said the skipper , "and remombei
thin 'ere ship's a pirate. "
"It's got a lot o' pirates aboard ot It , '
raid the mate fiercely , as ho turned and re
gardlng the crow , "a set o'lazy , loafing
Idle , worthless "
"It's for the boy's sake , " Interrupted thi
skipper.
"Whero'd you pick ' 1m up ? " Inquired thi
other.
"He's the son of a friend o' mine , wBa
I've brought aboard to oblige. " replied thi
tklpper. He's got a fancy for being a pirate
HO Juat to oblige his father I told him wi
was a plrato. Ho wouldn't have come It .
hadn't. "
"I'll pirate him , " said the mate , rubblnf
his hands.
"He's a dreadful 'andful by all accounts , '
continued the other ; "got his 'cd stuffet
full o' these 'ero penny dreadfuls til
they've turned his brain almost. Ho startec
by bolng an Indian and gain * off on 'Is owi
with two other kids. When 'o wanted t (
turn cannibal the other two objected am
gave ' 1m In charge. After that he did i
bit o' burgling and It cost 'Is old man ni
end o' money to hush It up. "
"Well , what did you want him forj'
grumbled the mate.
r "I'm going to knock the nonsense ou
of him , " said the skipper softly as thi
boat grazed the side. "Just step for'ar *
and lot the hands know what's expected o
'cm. When wo get to sea It won't matter. '
The mate moved off grumbling as thi
email faro stood on the thwarts am
scrambled up qver the side. The watcrmai
passed up the chest and dropping the cop
pers Into his pocket pushed oft again with
out a word.
"Well , you've got hero all right , nalph ,
said the skipper. "What do you think o
tcr ? "
"Sho's a rakish looking craft , " said th
l.oy , looking round the dingy old tub wlel
much satisfaction , "but whcre'a you
arms ? "
"HuBh ! " said the skipper , and laid hi
finger on his nose.
"Oh , all right. " said the youth testllj
"but you might tell me , "
"You shall know all Jn good lime , " sal
the skipper patiently , turning to the ere1
who came shuflllng up mojklng broad grin
with dirty palms. "Here's a new shlpmat
for you , my lads. He's small , but he's th
right stuff. ' "
The newcomer drew hmselt up and r
garded the craw with some dlssatlsfactloi
For desperadoes they looked far ted goot !
tempered and prone to levity.
"What's the matter with you , Jim StaM
ors ? " Inquired the skipper , scowling at
huge falr-halrcd man , who was laughtn
discordantly.
"I was thtnkln' o1 yhr last party I klllei
ulr , " said Jem with sudden gravity , "I a'.lci
laugh when I think 'ow ho squealed. "
"You laugh too much , " said the othi
sternly , as ho laid n , hand ou Ralph' '
shoulder. "Take a lesson from this fit
feller ; ho doesn't laugh. He acts. Tat
' 1m down below an' show him Ms bunk. "
"Will you please to follow me , air ? " sal
Smtthers , leading the way below. "I dossa
you'll find It o bit stuffy , but that's owing t
Rill Dobbs. A regler .old sea dot ; Is BII
always alcepa In 'in clothes , and tiev <
washes. "
"I don't think the worse ot him for that ,
tali ] Halph , regarding the fermenting Debt
kindly.
"You'd beat keep a civil tongua In you
VI , my lad. " said Dobbs shortly.
"Never mind Mm , " eald Smltbera , chect
fully , "nobody takes any notice o' old Dobbi
You can't 'It Mm It you like. I won't let hli
hurt you. "
"I don't want to start by quarreling.
aid Halph , seriously.
"You're afraid , " said Jem , tauntingly * .
you'll never make one ot us ; Ml Mm ; I
on't let him 'urt you. "
Thus aroused , the boy , first directing
obb's attention to his stomach by a curious
uck of his head , much admired as a. feint
n his neighborhood , struck him in the face.
bo next moment the forecastle was in nn
proar , and Ralph prostrate on Dobbs' knees ,
rantlcnlly reminding Jem ot his promise.
"All right , I won't let him 'urt you , " Bald
em , consolingly.
"But ho Is hurting me , " yelled the boy.
Ho Is hurting me now. "
"Well , wait till I get Mm ashore , " nald
em ; "his old woman won't know him when
vo done with him. "
The boy's reply to this was a torrent of
hrlll abuse , principally directed to Jem's
aclal shortcomings.
"Now. don't get rude , " said the seaman ,
tinning.
"Squint eyes ! " cried Ralph , fiercely.
"When you've done with that 'ere young
ontleman , Dobbs , " said Jem , with exquisite
x > IltoneBS , "I should llko to 'avo Mm for a
Ittlo bit , to teach Mm manners , "
" 'E don't want to go , " said Dobbs , grin-
Ing , as Ralph clung to him , "Ho knows
fho's kind to him. "
"Walt till I got a chance at you , " sobbed
lalph , as Jem took him away from Dobbs.
"Lord lucnme , " said Jem , regarding htm In
sfonlshment. "Why , he's actooally cryln' .
'vo seen a good many pirates In my time ,
Mil , but this Is a new sort. "
"Leave the boy alone , " said the' cook , t
at , good-natured man. "Here , como 'ere ,
Id man. They don't mean , no 'arm. '
Glad to escape , Ralph mode his way over
o the cook , grinding his teeth with shame
as the cook took him between his knees and
mopped his eyes with something which ho
ailed a handkerchief.
"You'll bo all right. " ho said , kindly ,
'you'll bo as good a plrato as any ot us be-
ere you'vo finished. "
"Walt till the first engagement , that'a
all , " eobbcd tbo boy. "If somebody don't
get shot In the back It won't bo my fault. "
The two seamen looked at each other ,
'That's wet hurt my 'and , then , " said
Dobbs , elowly. "I thought it was a jack-
knife. "
He reached over and unceremoniously
grabbing the boy by the collar pulled him
.oward him and drew a email , cheap re
volver from bis pocket. "Look at that ,
Jem ! "
'Take your fingers off the blarsted trig
ger and tticn I will , " said tbo other , somewhat -
what sourly.
"I'll pitch It overboard , " said Dobbs.
"Don't be a fool , Dill , " said Smlthors ,
pocketing it ; "that'a worth a few pints o' '
inybody's money. Stand out o' the way ,
Dill , the plrtt king wants to go on deck. "
Bill moved aside as the boy went to thc
ladder and , allowing him to get up tour 01
five steps , did the rest for him with his
shoulder. The boy reached the deck on all
fours and , regaining a more dignified posi
tion as soon as possible , wont and leaned
over the side , regarding with lofty contempi
the busy drudges on wharf and river.
They sailed at midnight and brought u [
In tbo early dawn In Longreacb , where t
lighter loaded with barrels came alongside
and the boy smelt romance and myster }
when ho learned that they contained pow
der. They 'took ' In ten tons , the llghtei
drifted away , the batches were put on and
they started oncemore. .
It was his first voyage and he regarded
with eager Interest the craft passing uf
and down. Ho had made his peace with tin
eamen and they regaled him with blood
curdling stories oftheir adventure , In thi
vain hope of horrifying him.
" 'Es a beastly little rascal , that's woi
'a la , " eald the Indignant Dill , who hat
surprised himself by his powers of narra >
tlon. "fancy larfln' when I told Mm o
pltchln' the baby to the sharks. "
" 'Es all right , Dill , " said the cook , softly
"Walttill you've got seven of 'em. "
"What ore you doing here , boy ? " de
manded the skipper as Ralph , finding thi
seamen's yarns somewhat lacking In In
terest , strolled aft with his hands In hli
pocket.
"Nothing , " said the boy , starting.
"Keep the other end o * the ship , " Bali
the skipper , sharply , 'an * go an' 'elp thi
cook with < ho taters. "
Ralph hesitated , but a grin on the mato'i
face decided him.
"I didn't como here to peel potatoes , " hi
said , loftily.
"O. Indeed. " said the skipper , politely
an' wet might you 'avo coma tor , it ii
ain't being too inquisitive ? "
"To fight the enemy , " said Ralph , shortly
"Como 'ere , " said the skipper.
The boy came slowly toward him.
"Now look 'ere , " eald the skipper. "I'tt
going to < ry and knock a little sense intc
that stupid 'ed o' yours. I've 'card al
about your silly 'little games ashore. You :
father eald ho couldnU manage you , so 1'n
a goln' to have a < try and you'll find I'n
a very different sort o' man to deal wltl
to wet 'o Is. The Idea o1 thinking this shlj
was a pirate. Why , a boy your ago ough
to know there ain't such things nowadays. '
"You told mo you was , " said the boy
hotly , "else I wouldn't have come. "
"That's Just why -I told you , " eald thi
skipper. 'But T didn't think you'd be eucl
a fool as to believe It. Pirates , indeed ! Di
we look llko pirates ? "
"You don't , " eald the boy , with a ineer
"you look moro like "
"Llko wet ? " asked 4.he skipper , edglni
closer to him. "Eh , like wet ? "
"I forget the word , " eald Ralph , will
strong good sense.
"Don't < ell any lies now , " said the skip
per , flushing as ho heard a chuckle fron
the mate. "Go on ; out with It. I'll glvi
you just -two minutes. "
"I forget It , " persisted Ralph.
"Dustman ? " suggested the mate , comlni
to his assistance. "Coster , chlmbley sweep
mudlark , pickpocket , convict , washer
"
worn
"If you'll look after your duty , George
Instead of Interferln * In matters that don'
concern you , " said the skipper In a chokln ;
voice , "I shall be obliged. Now , then , yoi
boy , what were you going to say I wa
llko ? "
"Like the mate , " said Ralph , slowly.
"Don't tell lies. " said 4ho skipper , fu
rlously ; "you couldn't have torgot tba
word. "
"I didn't forget It , " said Ralph , "but
didn't know how you'd like It. "
The eklpper looked at him dubiously and
pushing his cap from his brow , scratche
bis head ,
"And I didn't know bow tbo mate 'u
like It , either , " continued the boy.
He relieved the sklpp r from an awkwar
dilemma by walking off to the galley an
starting on a bowl ot potatoes.
The roaster ot the Susan Jane watche
him blankly for some time and then lookc
around at the mate.
"You won't get much change out ot Mm ,
said the latter with a nod , "Insultln1 llttl
devil. "
The other made no reply , but as BOO
as his potatoes were finished sot bis youn
friend to clean brass work , and after tbi
to tidy the cabin up and help the coo
clean bis poti and pans. Meantime th
ma'.o ' wen * below and overhauled hi
chest.
"ThU Is where he eels all them idea
from , " he said , coming aft with a big
bundle ot penny papers. "Look nt the
titles of 'cm. 'The Lion of the 1'aelfic. '
'Tho Onc-Armcd Buccannecr , ' 'Captain
Kldd's Last Voyage. '
Ho snt down on the cabin skylight and
began turning them over and picking out
certain gems of phraseology , read them
aloud to the ekJppor. The latter listened
at first with scorn and then with Impa
tience.
"I can'.t make head or tall out of what
you'ro reading George , " ho saU , snappishly.
"Who was Rudolph ? Read straight ahead. "
Thus urged , the mate , leaning forward so
that bis listener might hear better , read
steadily ( through a serial In the first three
numbers. The third Instalment left Ru.
dolph swimming In a race with three
sharks and a boatload of cannibals and the
joint efforts ot both men failed to dis
cover the other numbers.
"Just wet I should 'ave expected of Mm , "
Bnid the skipper after -the mate returned
rom a fruitless search In the boy'a chest.
'I'll make Mm a bit more orderly on this
ship. Go an' lock them other things up In
your drawer , George. He's not to 'avc 'cm
again. "
The schooner was getting Into open water
now , and began to feel It. In front of
them was the blue sea , dotted wth white
Balls and funnels belching araoko speeding
rom 'England to worlds of romance and
adventure. Something otthe kind the cook
said to Ralph and urged htm to get up and
ook for himself. Ho also , with the best
mentions , discussed the restorative proper
ties of fat pork from a medical point of
view.
The next few clays the boy divided be
tween seasickness and work , the latter
the cook In trembling tones as he held It
to the lamp.
"Wellc don't want to 'ear it , " said Jem.
"Shut up. d'ye henr ! "
Hut there was that In the rook's manner
which awed them.
"Dear cook , " ho read , feverishly. "I have
mndo an Infernal machine with clockwork ,
and hid It In the hold near the gunpowder
when wo wore at Falrhavcn. I think It will
go oft between 10 and 11 tonight , but I nm
not quite sure about the time. Don't tell
tlioso other beasts , but jump overboard and
swim ashore. I have taken the boat. I
would haw taken you , too , but you told me
you swain seven mites once , so you can
easy "
The leading came to an abrupt termina
tion as his listeners sprang out of their
bunks , and , bolting on deck , burst wildly
Into the cabin , and breathlessly reeled oft
the heads of the letter to tta astonished
occupants.
"Stuck a wet In the hold ? " gasped the
skipper.
"Infernal machine , " said the mate. "Ono
o' them things \\ot you blow up the 'ousea
of parliament with. "
"Wol's the time now ? " Interrupted Jem ,
anxiously.
" 'Dout ha' post 10 , " said the cook , trem
bling. "Lot's give 'em a hall ashore. "
They leaned over the sldo and Bent a
mighty shout across the water. Most of
Lowport had gotio to bed , but the windows
In the Inn were bright and lights showed
In tbo upper windows of two or three of
the cottages.
Again they shouted In deafening chorus ,
casting fearful looks behind them , and In
the silence a faint answering "hall" came
from the shore. They shouted again like
madmen and then , listening Intently , heard
"HERB'S A NEW SHIPMAS TER FOR YOU , MY LADS.
being the skipper's great ) remedy for
piratical yearnings. Three or four times
ho received a mild drubbing , and , what
waa worse than the drubbing , had to give
an answer in the affirmative to the skip
per's inquiry as to whether ho felt in amore
moro wholesome frame of mind. On the
fifth morning they stood in toward Fair-
haven , and to his great joy he saw trees
and houses again.
They stayed nt Falrhavcn just long
enough to put out a small portion of their
cargo , Ralph , stripped to his shirt and
trousers , having to work In the hold with
the reel , and proceeded to Lowport , a little
place some thirty miles distant , to put out
their powder. It was evening before they
arrived , and , the tide being out , they an
chored In the mouth of the river on which
the town stands.
"flit In about 4 o'clock , . " said the skipper
to the mate , as ho looked over the side to
ward tbo little cluster ot houses on the
sliore. "Do you feel better , now I've
knocked some o' that nonsense out o' you ,
boy ? "
"Much better , sir , " said Ralph , respect
fully.
"De a good boy , " said the skipper ,
pausing on' ' the companion ladder , "and you
can stay with us If you like. Better turn
In now , as you'll have to make yourself
useful again In the morning working out
the cargo. "
Ho went below , leaving the boy on deck.
The crew wore In the forecastle smoking ,
with the exception of the cook , who was
In tbo gallery over a llttlo private business
of his own.
An hour later the cook went below to
prepare for sleep. The other two men were
already in bed , and he was just about to
Ret into his when he noticed that Ralph's
hunk , which was under his own , was empty.
Ho went up on dock and looked round , and ,
returning betow , scratched his nose In
thought.
"Where's the hey ? " he demanded , taking
Jem by the arm and shaking him.
"Eh ? " said Jem , rousing. "Whose boy ? "
"Our boy , Ralph , " said the cook. "I can't
see Mm nowhere. I "ope 'o ain't gone over
board , poor llttlo chap. "
Jem refusing to dlscues the matter , tbo
rook -awoke Dobbs. Dobbs swore at him
oeacefully and resumed hid slumbers. The
cook went up again and prowled round the
deck , looking In all sorts of unlikely places
for the boy. Ho oven climbed a llttlo way
Into the rigging , and , finding no traces of
him , was reluctantly forced to the conclu
sion that he bad gone overboard.
"Poor llttlo chap , " ho said , solemnly lookIng -
Ing over the ship's sldo at the still water.
Ho walked slowly aft , shaking his head ,
and , looking over the stern , brought up sud
denly with a cry of dismay and rubbed his
eyes. The ship's boat bad also disappeared.
"Wot ? " said the two seamen as he ran
below and communicated the news. "Well ,
If It's gone , It's gone. "
"Hadn't I better go and tell the skipper ? "
said the cook.
"Let Mm find It out hlsself , " said Jem ,
purring contentedly In the Blankets. "It's Ms
boat. Go * night. "
"Time we 'ad a nee 'un , too , " said Dobbs ,
yawning. "Don't you worry your 'ed , cook ,
about wet don't consarn you. "
The cook took the advice , and having
made bis few simple preparations for the
night , blew out the lamp and sprang Into his
bunk. Then be uttered a sharp exclamation ,
and getting out again rumbled for -the
matches and relit the lamp. A minute later
he awoke his exasperated friends for the
third time.
"S'elp me , cook , " began Jem , fiercely.
"If you don't , I will , " said Dobbs , sitting
up and trying to reach ( he cook with bis
clenched fist.
"It's a letter pinned to my pillow , " said
a boat's keel grate on the beach , and then
the welcome click ot oars In the rowlocks.
"Make haste- , " bawled Dobbs , vocifer
ously , as the boat came creeping out of
the darkness. "W'y don't you make haste ? "
"U'ot's the row ? " cried a voice from the
boat.
"Gunpowder ! " yelled the cook , frantically.
"There's ten tons of It aboard , just going
to exalode. Hurry up. "
The sound of the oars ceased and a
startled murmur was heard from the boat ;
then an oar was pulled Jerkily.
"They'ro putting back , " said Jem , sud
denly. "I'm going to swim for It. Stand
by to pick mo up , mates , " he shouted , and ,
lowering himself with a splash Into the
water , struck out strongly toward them.
Dobbs , a poor swimmer , after a moment's
hesitation , followed bis example.
"I can't swim a stroke , " cried the cook ,
his teeth chattering.
The others , who were lu the same pre
dicament , leaned over the side , listening.
The swimmers wcro Invisible In the dark
ness , hut their progress was easily followed
by the noise they made. Jem was the first
to bo hauled on board and a minute or two
later the listeners on the schooner heart ]
him assisting Dobbs. Then the sound ol
strife , of thumps nnd wicked words , broke
on their delighted cars.
"They're coming back for us , " Bald the
mate , taking a deep breath. "Well done ,
Jem. "
The boat came toward them , Impelled by
powerful strokes , and was soon alongside.
The three men tumbled In hurriedly , their
fall being modified by the original crew ,
who were lying crouched up In the bottom
of the boat. Jem and Dobbs gave way
with hearty good will and the doomed ship
receded into the darkness. A llttlo knot
of people had gathered on the shore and ,
receiving the tidings , became anxious for
the safety of their town. U was felt that
the windows at least wcro In Imminent
peril , and messengers were hastily sent
round to have them opened.
Still the deserted Susan Jane made no
sign. Twelve o'clock struck from the llttlo
church nt the back of the town and she was
still intact.
"Something's gone wrong , " said nn old
fisherman with a bad way of putting things.
"Now'a the time for somebody to go and
tow her out to sea. "
There was no response.
"To save Lowport , " continued the speaker ,
feelingly. ' 'If I were only twenty years
"
younger
"It's old men's work , " said a voice.
The sklpjier , straining- eyes through
the gloom In the direction of his craft , Eald
nothing. Ho began to think that she had
escaped after all.
Two o'clock struck and the crowd began
to disperse. Some of tbo older Inhabitant !
who wcro fidgety about drafts closed tbeli
windows , and children who had been routed
out of their beds to take n nocturnal walk
Inland wcro led slowly back. Dy 3 o'clock
the danger was felt to bo over , and the daj
broke nnd revealed the forlorn Susan Jane
still riding at anchor.
"I'm going aboard. " said the skipper , sud
denly. "Who's coming with me ? "
Jem and the mate and the town police
man volunteered , and , borrowing the boa I
which had served them before , pulled swlftlj
out to their vessel , and taking the hatchet
oft with unusual gentleness commenced
their search. It was nervous work at first ,
but they became Inured to It , and moreovei
a certain suspicion , slight at first , but In
creasing in Interest as the search pro.
cceded , gave them rome sense of security
Later still they began to eye each otbei
shamefacedly.
"I don't bcllevo there's anything there , '
said the policeman , sitting down and laugh
Ing boisterously , "that boy'a been making i
fool of you , "
"That's about the tlzc of It , " groaned thi
trite , ' weMI bo the laughing 9'ork of the
town "
The skipper , who was standing with his
back tonard htm , said nothing , but peering
about , stooped suddenly , and with a sharp
exclamation , picked up something from be-
llnd a damaged case.
"I've got It , " he yelled suddculy , "stand
clear. "
Ho scrambled hastily ou deck , and , holdIng -
Ing his find at arm's length , with his head
averted , flung It far Into the water. A loud
cheer from -a coupfe of boats , which wore
watching , greeted his action , and a distant
response came from the shore.
"Was that a Infernal machine ? " whispered
the bewildered Jem to the mate. "Why It
looked to tno llko one o' them tins o' oorned
herf. "
Tbo mate glanced at the1 constable , who
was standing gazing longingly over the side.
"Well. I've 'eard of people being killed by
them sometimes , " he said , with a grin.
W. W. JACODS.
TOO WKKHITY KOH t'XCIiU SAM.
Noteil TciiiirnMM' Clinrnolcr Who Vlo-
liitcil the Itevcnm * 1-mv.
Mnhala Mulllns , "Socklcss Mnlmln. " a
noted Tennessee character , who has for a
quarter of a century openly violated the
United States revenue laws by sell
ing whisky without ) a license , Is
dead. This remarkable character has
been noted In the modern his
tory of the cast Tennessee mountain clans.
Her homo was In Hancock county , eighty
miles from Knoxvlllc. She lived and died
In the remote sections of the Cumberland
mountains. She Is known far and wtdo by
reason of her remarkable life of defiance of
Uncle Sam's laws and , at the same time ,
on account of her physical condition , which
In Itself Is worthy of note.
For many years Mahala Mulllns' husband
was a moonshine dUtlllcr. Ho eventually
was corralled by the revenue officers and
his cnse was dismissed on the promise that
bo would quit the moonshine trafllc. This
decision on his part was followed by the csi i
tabltahtncnt of a licensed distillery In his
name. The distillery was small in its
equipment but It was large enough to "run"
a sufficient amount to supply the mountain
people for many miles around.
The manner In which she disposed of the
liquor la tbo feature of Mnhala Mulllns' lite ,
Mahala , bolng a woman of unsually largo
physique , It was practically nn Impossibility
to remove her from her humble home. She
realized this fact , as did her husband. It
was therefore agreed that she should assume
the role of dispenser of the beverage.
Seated In her mountain cabin , she was al
ways ready to serve the whisky made under
government protection , ( hut sold lu viola
tion of Its retailing regulations. She
had at her command a small cask , In which
the whisky was deposited. The article was
drawn from this cask by means of a home
made faucet , hewn out of a Cumberland
mountain oak. She always used a small
pint copper cup In which to draw the whisky ,
nnd a funnel of the same material completed
the outfit with which she carried on her
Illicit bar business.
There was no s crcl In this enterprise of
Mrs. Mulllns. It was known throughout
cast Tennessee that she sold whisky re
gardless of the revenue laws. The revenue
men knew It. and many times have they
made an attempt to arrest her. Evary ef
fort of this nature ivas baffled ou account
ot her enormous size. The officers found It
Impossible to remove her tram her home.
It Is a fact , strange though it may seem ,
that she never left her homo on account of
being too large to pasa Its portals. The rev
enue men were compelled to Indulge her ,
not from choice or sympathy , but from n
compulsory state of affairs.
Mrs. Mulllns' ' individuality is Interesting ,
as well as her open violation of the laws
In selling whisky. She. weighed , a short
time previous to her death , 519 pounds.
She was 71 years of age a few months ago.
Her chest measure , contracted , was five fest
six Inches. She measured seven feet six
and one-half Inches about the hips. This
remarkable woman enjoyed the best of
health' until within three weeks of her
death , when she was stricken with mountain
fever , which , owing to her age. proved fatal.
For many years Mahala Mulllns had beca
prepared to meet death. She 'was a Chris
tian woman , notwithstanding the fact that
she sold liquor. She believed it the pre
rogative of every man , woman and child
to make nnd drink whisky , and saw In it
no wrong to either religious , social , or legal
legislations. She had prepared hur coffin , In
which she was -burled , and had also ordered
her grave dug.
East Tennessee has lost a noted character
In th ? death of Mrs. Mulllns. The fact ot
the existence of such a woman has been
'heralded ' all over the country. Scarcely a
month has gone by for many years but that
Bomo tourist going to Knoxvllle sought nn
opportunity to climb into the Cumberland *
In the hope of seeing her. An effort waa
made last year to take her to ths Tennease
centennial exposition at Nashville , where
HBO might bo seen. The difficulty encoun
tered was In transporting her from her
mountain homo to tbo railroad station ,
nearly fifty miles away This wn.i not
overcome nnd she wn left , content to re
main , until death should remove her. In her
little cabin In the heart ot the muu'ttalni.
Mrs. Mulllna was the mother of thirteen
children , all of whom nro living save our ,
who waa killed several years ago In a fight
with a resident of Rogcm-llle , Tenn.
CO.MHTIOAS l\ | ) AWOC1TV. .
llluli I'rlcrx nf llrnt l nt < Mnn.v .M
Without Work.
Consul McCook baa sent to the Department
t State an undated report from Dawson City
( received September 12 , 1SOS ) . .Mr. McCook
Enys :
Dawson City , probably the largest mining
camp In America , Is buirt on a bog or swamp
and contains a shifting populatlou which
now numbers about 20,000. Forty thousand
prospectors have passed through hero from
the Whlto nnd Chllkoot passes. Most of
them had a year's provisions. Hundreds
are going away dally , not being able to May
on account of the cost of living. A dinner
costs S2.0 and breakfast nnd lunch $1.50.
Lodging Is } l-uO per night In a hunk , nnd a
hotel charges $ C.CO for a bed per night.
The price of property In the business local-
Hv Is enormous. A lot ot convenient size
unon thu main street cannot he had under
J40.000. Lots In a bog off Main street bring
from $5.000 to $10,000. To rent a log cabin
costs $200 per month. With the exception of
the warehouses the theaters , dance halls , sa
loons nnd gambling houses are about the
only establishments which can afford these
terms. Alone the -river ground leased from
the authorities brjnga $10 per front foot per
month. This , with the 10 per cent royalty
charged on the gross output , yields si very
largo revenue.
The prevailing prlco of labor is $1 per
hour , but there nro so many Idle hands wait
ing for employment that the supply exceeds
the demand nnd may bring tbo price down.
Still , there Is the greatest activity Jn the
rrectlon of largo buildings nnd ware
houses.
Moat of the prospectors who are coming to
Dawson City Icavo for camps In United
States territory , since , apart from the coun
try In the Immediate vicinity of Dawson ,
which has all been EtnkcJ off , this Is the moat
oromlslnK field. Dut even here , out of morn
than 5.000 placer claims and 2,000 bench
claims , onlv 200 have thus far paid to work.
A great many have not yet been prospected
nnd will have to VK givrn up to iu ) < irn\ui ,
liec-nlife ono condition of thi grant I ih.it
ovcry person having n claim must work 't
continuously for three months each ycur ,
Ninety days' Inhor at $10 a dny In n gnn < t
deal to tlsk upon one claim , and n goovl many
who cannot afford It will surrender them
! The crock claims hnvo been reduced In B z
from 00 to 250 foot.
Estimates ot last year's output range from
$8.000.000 to $12,000,000. Work has largely
liccn confined to Donntiza nnd Eldorado
creeks. Dominion. Sulphur nnd Eurrk.i
creeks will ho opened up next winter as
they promise good results , One cannot pros
pect In fiummer , ns the pits \\hleh nro dUK
then fill with water. It Is by the nirrost
; chnncn that ono may strike n rich claim.
[ No poor man should sell out and conic acre.
I Organized com pan lea with capital will di >
! much better , as they onn hire work niurh
1 moro cheaply than Individuals ,
' In a report dated August 21 , Consul M > -
Cook further emphasizes the distress among
the prospectors In and around Dnwson ( M < y
nnd strongly nil vises no one to Join In tJu >
hunt far geM unless ho IIIIK at least enough
provisions to last over winter nnd rnougli
money In bank to tnko him homo If unsue-
cesnful. The consul says ho Is appealed to
dolly by men who have no money and can
not get work , nnd ho advises nuch of them
ns arc nblo to trnvcl to go to St. Michaels ,
where , ho Is Informed , tbo government \
arranging to tnko cnro of them by putting
them In communication with friends lu the
United States.
ClIAMUHIlIjAI.V1 !
Colic , Cholera mill Dlnrrhoi-ii
This Is the best medicine In the world for
bowel complaints. It acts quickly and can
always be depended upon. When reduced
with water It is pleoeunt to tulio. Many
families are never without this remedy ami
alwayn find It prompt and effectual. For
sale by every druggist In Ouiahii.
\0tll' Of It I.OHl.
Chlcngo Tribune : The seedy etrnnr Rt
the hotel had deliberately tried to silfTccn o
himself by closing his room as tightly i-
ho could nnd turning on the gns.
"You miserable vagabond ! " exclaimed the
doctor , nftcr bo had succeeded In reviving
him , "what did you want to do that for7
You have elvcn this hotel n had nnnio anil
wnatcd nbtnit 500 feet of cas ! "
"No , It Isn't wasted. " groaned the > land
lord. "Tho meter will register every foot
of It. "
Contains every element that makes
a healthful and desirable beverage ,
Purity , Perfect Brewing , Proper Age ,
Giving piquancy , zest , satisfaction , true refreshment. .
The Original The Faust
Budweiser
The Anheuser-
The Michelob Standard
TheMuenchener The Pale Lager
Brewed and bottled only by the
"NOT HOW CHEAP ; BUT HOW GOOD"
Is the Association's Guiding Motto.
Good , pure , clear , healthful Beer , made of selected grains , costs more ( o make than
the indifferent kinds , therefore commands a higher price. Anheuser-Busch Beer
is served on all Pullman and Wagner Dining and Buffet Cars , all Ocean and
Lake Steamers , and in all the best Hotels , Cafes , Clubs , and families.
Used by Army and Navy and at Soldiers' Homes.
NO CORN USED. CORN BEER ES NOTHING
BETTER THAN A CHEAP IMITATION
GENUINE BEER.
MALT-NUTRINE , the purest Malt Extract the Food Drink a boon to the weak
and convalescent is prepared by this association.
Beautiful new booklet free. Anheuser-Busch Drcwinj Asj'n , St. Louis , U. S. A.
CUPIDENE"
Vitallier will quickly euro all nei-TOns , ot dlRi-.isoa ot ttiejfPiierii'Sve'or *
can * bronchi on by youthful errorn or oxtenscs. inch nil Lout Manhood ,
lusomnla. Spermatorrhoea , I'ulnn In Back. Evil Di-nams. Seminal Kmls-
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and Immutncy. Cl.anie * the liver , kidney * and urinary orran. of all
BEFORE and AMT1R LVSrSSS.trtn and restore ll wuak . . ,
- thenj * m ownii. tl.OOabor
. _ . . . 8/or 84.00. Guaranteed , .
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olaU Cavel Mcdlolno Co. , 8u > JPraoolaco , C l. For al. by lHy * , DUlanirui Co. Omaha , Nei
Exposition B E
K
3f3
Reproduced in Colors
By the Taber-Prang Art Co. , Boston , from
B 2i
The Original Paintings of John R , Key. hfcv
Mr. Key is famous as the painter of the World's Fair ,
His paintings are exhibited in the Illinois Building. He
has added new laurels by his paintings of the Transmis-
sissippi Exposition. The name of Prang of Boston is suf
ficient guaranty of the faithfulness of the artistic reproduc vm
tion. No views published compare in beauty with this
series.
A Portfolio Containimj Six Pictures (14x19 ( in. ) for $1.25 ,
Single Copies , Suitab/e for Framing , 2So.
\Vith Mats , 3&c.
The Bee Publishing Co. , Omaha , m
,
k y KXAU/vrAV'tt x
fl % , JPS ? i
wvxrM'y * * WK/TOf ?