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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/11472-0.txt b/11472-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..5cf8496 --- /dev/null +++ b/11472-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,418 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 11472 *** + +DEEP WATERS + +By W.W. JACOBS + + + + +PAYING OFF + +My biggest fault, said the night-watchman, gloomily, has been good +nature. I've spent the best part of my life trying to do my fellow- +creeturs a good turn. And what do I get for it? If all the people I've +helped was to come 'ere now there wouldn't be standing room for them on +this wharf. 'Arf of them would be pushed overboard--and a good place for +'em, too. + +I've been like it all my life. I was good-natured enough to go to sea as +a boy because a skipper took a fancy to me and wanted my 'elp, and when I +got older I was good-natured enough to get married. All my life I've +given 'elp and advice free, and only a day or two ago one of 'em wot I +'ad given it to came round here with her 'usband and 'er two brothers and +'er mother and two or three people from the same street, to see her give +me "wot for." + +Another fault o' mine has been being sharp. Most people make mistakes, +and they can't bear to see anybody as don't. Over and over agin I have +showed people 'ow silly they 'ave been to do certain things, and told 'em +wot I should ha' done in their place, but I can't remember one that ever +gave me a "thank you" for it. + +There was a man 'ere 'arf an hour ago that reminded me of both of these +faults. He came in a-purpose to remind me, and 'e brought a couple o' +grinning, brass-faced monkeys with 'im to see 'im do it. I was sitting +on that barrel when he came, and arter two minutes I felt as if I was +sitting on red-'ot cinders. He purtended he 'ad come in for the sake of +old times and to ask arter my 'ealth, and all the time he was doing 'is +best to upset me to amuse them two pore objecks 'e 'ad brought with 'im. + +Capt'in Mellun is his name, and 'e was always a foolish, soft-'eaded sort +o' man, and how he 'as kept 'is job I can't think. He used to trade +between this wharf and Bristol on a little schooner called the _Firefly_, +and seeing wot a silly, foolish kind o' man he was, I took a little bit +o' notice of 'im. Many and many a time when 'e was going to do something +he'd ha' been sorry for arterwards I 'ave taken 'im round to the Bear's +Head and stood 'im pint arter pint until he began to see reason and own +up that I was in the right. + +His crew was a'most as bad as wot he was, and all in one month one o' the +'ands gave a man ten shillings for a di'mond ring he saw 'im pick up, wot +turned out to be worth fourpence, and another one gave five bob for a +meerschaum pipe made o' chalk. When I pointed out to 'em wot fools they +was they didn't like it, and a week arterwards, when the skipper gave a +man in a pub 'is watch and chain and two pounds to hold, to show 'is +confidence in 'im, and I told 'im exactly wot I thought of him, 'e didn't +like it. + +"You're too sharp, Bill," he says, sneering like. "My opinion is that +the pore man was run over. He told me 'e should only be away five +minutes. And he 'ad got an honest face: nice open blue eyes, and a smile +that done you good to look at." + +"You've been swindled," I ses, "and you know it. If I'd been done like +that I should never hold up my 'ead agin. Why, a child o' five would +know better. You and your crew all seem to be tarred with the same +brush. You ain't fit to be trusted out alone." + +I believe 'e told his 'ands wot I said; anyway, two bits o' coke missed +me by 'arf an inch next evening, and for some weeks not one of 'em spoke +a word to me. When they see me coming they just used to stand up +straight and twist their nose. + +It didn't 'urt me, o' course. I took no notice of 'em. Even when one of +'em fell over the broom I was sweeping with I took no notice of 'im. I +just went on with my work as if 'e wasn't there. + +I suppose they 'ad been in the sulks about a month, and I was sitting +'ere one evening getting my breath arter a couple o' hours' 'ard work, +when one of 'em, George Tebb by name, came off the ship and nodded to me +as he passed. + +"Evening, Bill," he ses. + +"Evening," I ses, rather stiff. + +"I wanted a word with you, Bill," he ses, in a low voice. "In fact, I +might go so far as to say I want to ask you to do me a favour." + +I looked at him so 'ard that he coughed and looked away. + +"We might talk about it over a 'arf-pint," he ses. + +"No, thank you," I ses. "I 'ad a 'arf-pint the day before yesterday, and +I'm not thirsty." + +He stood there fidgeting about for a bit, and then he puts his 'and on my +shoulder. + +"Well, come to the end of the jetty," he ses. "I've got something +private to say." + +I got up slow-like and followed 'im. I wasn't a bit curious. Not a bit. +But if a man asks for my 'elp I always give it. + +"It's like this," he ses, looking round careful, "only I don't want the +other chaps to hear because I don't want to be laughed at. Last week an +old uncle o' mine died and left me thirty pounds. It's just a week ago, +and I've already got through five of 'em, and besides that the number of +chaps that want to borrow ten bob for a couple o' days would surprise +you." + +"I ain't so easy surprised," I ses, shaking my 'ead. + +"It ain't safe with me," he ses; "and the favour I want you to do is to +take care of it for me. I know it'll go if I keep it. I've got it +locked up in this box. And if you keep the box I'll keep the key, and +when I want a bit I'll come and see you about it." + +He pulled a little box out of 'is pocket and rattled it in my ear. + +"There's five-and-twenty golden goblins in there," he ses. "If you take +charge of 'em they'll be all right. If you don't, I'm pretty certain I +sha'n't 'ave one of 'em in a week or two's time." + +At fust I said I wouldn't 'ave anything to do with it, but he begged so +'ard that I began to alter my mind. + +"You're as honest as daylight, Bill," he ses, very earnest. "I don't +know another man in the world I could trust with twenty-five quid-- +especially myself. Now, put it in your pocket and look arter it for me. +One of the quids in it is for you, for your trouble." + +He slipped the box in my coat-pocket, and then he said 'is mind was so +relieved that 'e felt like 'arf a pint. I was for going to the Bear's +Head, the place I generally go to, because it is next door to the wharf, +so to speak, but George wanted me to try the beer at another place he +knew of. + +"The wharf's all right," he ses. "There's one or two 'ands on the ship, +and they won't let anybody run away with it." + +From wot he said I thought the pub was quite close, but instead o' that I +should think we walked pretty nearly a mile afore we got there. Nice +snug place it was, and the beer was all right, although, as I told George +Tebb, it didn't seem to me any better than the stuff at the Bear's Head. + +He stood me two 'arf-pints and was just going to order another, when 'e +found 'e 'adn't got any money left, and he wouldn't hear of me paying for +it, because 'e said it was his treat. + +"We'll 'ave a quid out o' the box," he ses. "I must 'ave one to go on +with, anyway." I shook my 'ead at 'im. + +"Only one," he ses, "and that'll last me a fortnight. Besides, I want to +give you the quid I promised you." + +I gave way at last, and he put his 'and in 'is trouser-pocket for the +key, and then found it wasn't there. + +"I must ha' left it in my chest," he ses. "I'll 'op back and get it." +And afore I could prevent 'im he 'ad waved his 'and at me and gorn. + +My fust idea was to go arter 'im, but I knew I couldn't catch 'im, and if +I tried to meet 'im coming back I should most likely miss 'im through the +side streets. So I sat there with my pipe and waited. + +I suppose I 'ad been sitting down waiting for him for about ten minutes, +when a couple o' sailormen came into the bar and began to make themselves +a nuisance. Big fat chaps they was, and both of 'em more than 'arf +sprung. And arter calling for a pint apiece they began to take a little +notice of me. + +"Where d'you come from?" ses one of 'em. "'Ome," I ses, very quiet. + +"It's a good place--'ome," ses the chap, shaking his 'ead. "Can you sing +"Ome, Sweet 'Ome'? You seem to 'ave got wot I might call a 'singing +face.'" + +"Never mind about my face," I ses, very sharp. "You mind wot you're +doing with that beer. You'll 'ave it over in a minute." + +The words was 'ardly out of my mouth afore 'e gave a lurch and spilt his +pint all over me. From 'ead to foot I was dripping with beer, and I was +in such a temper I wonder I didn't murder 'im; but afore I could move +they both pulled out their pocket-'ankerchers and started to rub me down. + +"That'll do," I ses at last, arter they 'ad walked round me 'arf-a-dozen +times and patted me all over to see if I was dry. "You get off while +you're safe." + +"It was my mistake, mate," ses the chap who 'ad spilt the beer. + +"You get outside," I ses. "Go on, both of you, afore I put you out." + +They gave one look at me, standing there with my fists clenched, and then +they went out like lambs, and I 'eard 'em trot round the corner as though +they was afraid I was following. I felt a little bit damp and chilly, +but beer is like sea-water--you don't catch cold through it--and I sat +down agin to wait for George Tebb. + +He came in smiling and out 'o breath in about ten minutes' time, with the +key in 'is 'and, and as soon as I told 'im wot had 'appened to me with +the beer he turned to the landlord and ordered me six o' rum 'ot at once. + +"Drink that up," he ses, 'anding it to me; "but fust of all give me the +box, so as I can pay for it." + +I put my 'and in my pocket. Then I put it in the other one, and arter +that I stood staring at George Tebb and shaking all over. + +"Wot's the matter? Wot are you looking like that for?" he ses. + +"It must ha' been them two," I ses, choking. "While they was purtending +to dry me and patting me all over they must 'ave taken it out of my +pocket." + +"Wot are you talking about?" ses George, staring at me. + +"The box 'as gorn," I ses, putting down the 'ot rum and feeling in my +trouser-pocket. "The box 'as gorn, and them two must 'ave taken it." + +"Gorn!" ses George. "Gorn! My box with twenty-five pounds in, wot I +trusted you with, gorn? Wot are you talking about? It can't be--it's +too crool!" + +He made such a noise that the landlord wot was waiting for 'is money, +asked 'im wot he meant by it, and, arter he 'ad explained, I'm blest if +the landlord didn't advise him to search me. I stood still and let +George go through my pockets, and then I told 'im I 'ad done with 'im and +I never wanted to see 'im agin as long as I lived. + +"I dare say," ses George, "I dare say. But you'll come along with me to +the wharf and see the skipper. I'm not going to lose five-and-twenty +quid through your carelessness." + +I marched along in front of 'im with my 'ead in the air, and when he +spoke to me I didn't answer him. He went aboard the ship when we got to +the wharf, and a minute or two arterwards 'e came to the side and said +the skipper wanted to see me. + +The airs the skipper gave 'imself was sickening. He sat down there in +'is miserable little rat-'ole of a cabin and acted as if 'e was a judge +and I was a prisoner. Most of the 'ands 'ad squeezed in there too, and +the things they advised George to do to me was remarkable. + +"Silence!" ses the skipper. "Now, watchman, tell me exactly 'ow this +thing 'appened." + +"I've told you once," I ses. + +"I know," ses the skipper, "but I want you to tell me again to see if you +contradict yourself. I can't understand 'ow such a clever man as you +could be done so easy." + +I thought I should ha' bust, but I kept my face wonderful. I just asked +'im wot the men was like that got off with 'is watch and chain and two +pounds, in case they might be the same. + +"That's different," he ses. + +"Oh!" ses I. "'Ow?" + +"I lost my own property," he ses, "but you lost George's, and 'ow a man +like you, that's so much sharper and cleverer than other people, could be +had so easy, I can't think. Why, a child of five would ha' known +better." + +"A baby in arms would ha' known better," ses the man wot 'ad bought the +di'mond ring. "'Ow could you 'ave been so silly, Bill? At your time o' +life, too!" + +"That's neither 'ere nor there," ses the skip-per. "The watchman has +lost twenty-five quid belonging to one o' my men. The question is, wot +is he going to do about it?" + +"Nothing," I ses. "I didn't ask 'im to let me mind the box. He done it +of 'is own free will. It's got nothing to do with me." + +"Oh, hasn't it?" ses the skipper, drawing 'imself up. "I don't want to +be too 'ard on you, but at the same time I can't let my man suffer. I'll +make it as easy as I can, and I order you to pay 'im five shillings a +week till the twenty-five pounds is cleared off." + +I laughed; I couldn't 'elp it. I just stood there and laughed at 'im. + +"If you don't," ses the skipper, "then I shall lay the facts of the case +afore the guv'nor. Whether he'll object to you being in a pub a mile +away, taking care of a box of gold while you was supposed to be taking +care of the wharf, is his bisness. My bisness is to see that my man 'as +'is rights." + +"'Ear, 'ear !" ses the crew. + +"You please yourself, watchman," ses the skipper. "You're such a clever +man that no doubt you could get a better job to-morrow. There must be +'eaps of people wanting a man like you. It's for you to decide. That's +all I've got to say--five bob a week till pore George 'as got 'is money +back, or else I put the case afore the guv'nor. Wot did you say?" + +I said it agin, and, as 'e didn't seem to understand, I said it once +more. + +"Please yourself," 'e ses, when I 'ad finished. "You're an old man, and +five bob a week can't be much loss to you. You've got nothing to spend +it on, at your time o' life. And you've got a very soft job 'ere. Wot?" + +I didn't answer 'im. I just turned round, and, arter giving a man wot +stood in my way a punch in the chest, I got up on deck and on to the +wharf, and said my little say all alone to myself, behind the crane. + +I paid the fust five bob to George Tebb the next time the ship was up, +and arter biting 'em over and over agin and then ringing 'em on the +deck 'e took the other chaps round to the Bear's Head. + +"P'r'aps it's just as well it's 'appened," he ses. "Five bob a week for +nearly two years ain't to be sneezed at. It's slow, but it's sure." + +I thought 'e was joking at fust, but arter working it out in the office +with a bit o' pencil and paper I thought I should ha' gorn crazy. And +when I complained about the time to George 'e said I could make it +shorter if I liked by paying ten bob a week, but 'e thought the steady +five bob a week was best for both of us. + +I got to 'ate the sight of 'im. Every week regular as clockwork he used +to come round to me with his 'and out, and then go and treat 'is mates to +beer with my money. If the ship came up in the day-time, at six o'clock +in the evening he'd be at the wharf gate waiting for me; and if it came +up at night she was no sooner made fast than 'e was over the side patting +my trouser-pocket and saying wot a good job it was for both of us that I +was in steady employment. + +Week arter week and month arter month I went on paying. I a'most forgot +the taste o' beer, and if I could manage to get a screw o' baccy a week I +thought myself lucky. And at last, just as I thought I couldn't stand it +any longer, the end came. + +I 'ad just given George 'is week's money--and 'ow I got it together that +week I don't know--when one o' the chaps came up and said the skipper +wanted to see me on board at once. + +"Tell 'im if he wants to see me I'm to be found on the wharf," I ses, +very sharp. + +"He wants to see you about George's money," ses the chap. "I should go +if I was you. My opinion is he wants to do you a good turn." + +I 'ung fire for a bit, and then, arter sweeping up for a little while +deliberate-like, I put down my broom and stepped aboard to see the +skipper, wot was sitting on the cabin skylight purtending to read a +newspaper. + +He put it down when 'e see me, and George and the others, wot 'ad been +standing in a little bunch for'ard, came aft and stood looking on. + +"I wanted to see you about this money, watchman," ses the skipper, +putting on 'is beastly frills agin. "O' course, we all feel that to a +pore man like you it's a bit of a strain, and, as George ses, arter all +you have been more foolish than wicked." + +"Much more," ses George. + +"I find that you 'ave now paid five bob a week for nineteen weeks," ses +the skipper, "and George 'as been kind enough and generous enough to let +you off the rest. There's no need for you to look bashful, George; it's +a credit to you." + +I could 'ardly believe my ears. George stood there grinning like a stuck +fool, and two o' the chaps was on their best behaviour with their 'ands +over their mouths and their eyes sticking out. + +"That's all, watchman," ses the skipper; "and I 'ope it'll be a lesson to +you not to neglect your dooty by going into public-'ouses and taking +charge of other people's money when you ain't fit for it." + +"I sha'n't try to do anybody else a kindness agin, if that's wot you +mean," I ses, looking at 'im. + +"No, you'd better not," he ses. "This partickler bit o' kindness 'as +cost you four pounds fifteen, and that's a curious thing when you come to +think of it. Very curious." + +"Wot d'ye mean?" I ses. + +"Why," he ses, grinning like a madman, "it's just wot we lost between us. +I lost a watch and chain worth two pounds, and another couple o' pounds +besides; Joe lost ten shillings over 'is di'mond ring; and Charlie lost +five bob over a pipe. 'That's four pounds fifteen--just the same as +you." + +Them silly fools stood there choking and sobbing and patting each other +on the back as though they'd never leave off, and all of a sudden I 'ad a +'orrible suspicion that I 'ad been done. + +"Did you see the sovereigns in the box?" I ses, turning to the skipper. + +"No," he ses, shaking his 'ead. + +"'Ow do you know they was there, then?" ses I. + +"Because you took charge of 'em," said the skipper; "and I know wot a +clever, sharp chap you are. It stands to reason that you wouldn't be +responsible for a box like that unless you saw inside of it. Why, a +child o' five wouldn't!" + +I stood there looking at 'im, but he couldn't meet my eye. None of 'em +could; and arter waiting there for a minute or two to give 'em a chance, +I turned my back on 'em and went off to my dooty. + + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Paying Off, by W.W. Jacobs + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 11472 *** diff --git a/11472-h.zip b/11472-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..2cca188 --- /dev/null +++ b/11472-h.zip diff --git a/11472-h/001.jpg b/11472-h/001.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..f003e6a --- /dev/null +++ b/11472-h/001.jpg diff --git a/11472-h/11472-h.htm b/11472-h/11472-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..b42b8d7 --- /dev/null +++ b/11472-h/11472-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,1031 @@ +<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"> +<html> +<head> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" + content="text/html; charset=us-ascii"> +<meta content="pg2html (binary version 0.11)" + name="generator"> +<title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of + Deep Waters: PAYING OFF + by W.W. Jacobs. +</title> +<style type="text/css"> + <!-- + body {background:#faebd7} + * { font-family: Times; + } + P { text-indent: 1em; + margin: 15%; + margin-top: .75em; + font-size: 14pt; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; color:#A82C28} + HR { width: 33%; } + PRE { font-family: Courier, monospaced;} + .toc { margin-left: 15%; font-size: 14pt; margin-bottom: 0em;} + CENTER { padding: 10px;} + // --> +</style> +</head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Paying Off, by W.W. Jacobs + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Paying Off + Deep Waters, Part 2. + +Author: W.W. Jacobs + +Release Date: March 6, 2004 [EBook #11472] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: US-ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PAYING OFF *** + + + + +Produced by David Widger + + + + + +</pre> + + + +<br><br> +<center> +<img alt="cover (95K)" src="cover.jpg" height="787" width="632" /> +</center> +<br><br><br><br> + + +<h1> + DEEP WATERS +</h1> +<center><h2> + By W.W. JACOBS +</h2></center> + +<br><br><br><br> +<center> +<img alt="title (39K)" src="title.jpg" height="617" width="488" /> +</center> +<br><br> + + +<br><br> +<center> +<img alt="001 (37K)" src="001.jpg" height="670" width="480" /> +</center> +<br><br> + +<br><br><hr><br><br> + + + + +<a name="2H_4_1"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<h1> + PAYING OFF +</h1> +<br /><br /> +<p> + My biggest fault, said the night-watchman, gloomily, has been good + nature. I've spent the best part of my life trying to do my fellow- + creeturs a good turn. And what do I get for it? If all the people I've + helped was to come 'ere now there wouldn't be standing room for them on + this wharf. 'Arf of them would be pushed overboard—and a good place for + 'em, too. +</p> +<p> + I've been like it all my life. I was good-natured enough to go to sea as + a boy because a skipper took a fancy to me and wanted my 'elp, and when I + got older I was good-natured enough to get married. All my life I've + given 'elp and advice free, and only a day or two ago one of 'em wot I + 'ad given it to came round here with her 'usband and 'er two brothers and + 'er mother and two or three people from the same street, to see her give + me "wot for." +</p> +<p> + Another fault o' mine has been being sharp. Most people make mistakes, + and they can't bear to see anybody as don't. Over and over agin I have + showed people 'ow silly they 'ave been to do certain things, and told 'em + wot I should ha' done in their place, but I can't remember one that ever + gave me a "thank you" for it. +</p> +<p> + There was a man 'ere 'arf an hour ago that reminded me of both of these + faults. He came in a-purpose to remind me, and 'e brought a couple o' + grinning, brass-faced monkeys with 'im to see 'im do it. I was sitting + on that barrel when he came, and arter two minutes I felt as if I was + sitting on red-'ot cinders. He purtended he 'ad come in for the sake of + old times and to ask arter my 'ealth, and all the time he was doing 'is + best to upset me to amuse them two pore objecks 'e 'ad brought with 'im. +</p> +<p> + Capt'in Mellun is his name, and 'e was always a foolish, soft-'eaded sort + o' man, and how he 'as kept 'is job I can't think. He used to trade + between this wharf and Bristol on a little schooner called the <i>Firefly</i>, + and seeing wot a silly, foolish kind o' man he was, I took a little bit + o' notice of 'im. Many and many a time when 'e was going to do something + he'd ha' been sorry for arterwards I 'ave taken 'im round to the Bear's + Head and stood 'im pint arter pint until he began to see reason and own + up that I was in the right. +</p> +<p> + His crew was a'most as bad as wot he was, and all in one month one o' the + 'ands gave a man ten shillings for a di'mond ring he saw 'im pick up, wot + turned out to be worth fourpence, and another one gave five bob for a + meerschaum pipe made o' chalk. When I pointed out to 'em wot fools they + was they didn't like it, and a week arterwards, when the skipper gave a + man in a pub 'is watch and chain and two pounds to hold, to show 'is + confidence in 'im, and I told 'im exactly wot I thought of him, 'e didn't + like it. +</p> +<p> + "You're too sharp, Bill," he says, sneering like. "My opinion is that + the pore man was run over. He told me 'e should only be away five + minutes. And he 'ad got an honest face: nice open blue eyes, and a smile + that done you good to look at." +</p> +<p> + "You've been swindled," I ses, "and you know it. If I'd been done like + that I should never hold up my 'ead agin. Why, a child o' five would + know better. You and your crew all seem to be tarred with the same + brush. You ain't fit to be trusted out alone." +</p> +<p> + I believe 'e told his 'ands wot I said; anyway, two bits o' coke missed + me by 'arf an inch next evening, and for some weeks not one of 'em spoke + a word to me. When they see me coming they just used to stand up + straight and twist their nose. +</p> +<p> + It didn't 'urt me, o' course. I took no notice of 'em. Even when one of + 'em fell over the broom I was sweeping with I took no notice of 'im. I + just went on with my work as if 'e wasn't there. +</p> +<p> + I suppose they 'ad been in the sulks about a month, and I was sitting + 'ere one evening getting my breath arter a couple o' hours' 'ard work, + when one of 'em, George Tebb by name, came off the ship and nodded to me + as he passed. +</p> +<p> + "Evening, Bill," he ses. +</p> +<p> + "Evening," I ses, rather stiff. +</p> +<p> + "I wanted a word with you, Bill," he ses, in a low voice. "In fact, I + might go so far as to say I want to ask you to do me a favour." +</p> +<p> + I looked at him so 'ard that he coughed and looked away. +</p> +<p> + "We might talk about it over a 'arf-pint," he ses. +</p> +<p> + "No, thank you," I ses. "I 'ad a 'arf-pint the day before yesterday, and + I'm not thirsty." +</p> +<p> + He stood there fidgeting about for a bit, and then he puts his 'and on my + shoulder. +</p> +<p> + "Well, come to the end of the jetty," he ses. "I've got something + private to say." +</p> +<p> + I got up slow-like and followed 'im. I wasn't a bit curious. Not a bit. + But if a man asks for my 'elp I always give it. +</p> +<p> + "It's like this," he ses, looking round careful, "only I don't want the + other chaps to hear because I don't want to be laughed at. Last week an + old uncle o' mine died and left me thirty pounds. It's just a week ago, + and I've already got through five of 'em, and besides that the number of + chaps that want to borrow ten bob for a couple o' days would surprise + you." +</p> +<p> + "I ain't so easy surprised," I ses, shaking my 'ead. +</p> +<p> + "It ain't safe with me," he ses; "and the favour I want you to do is to + take care of it for me. I know it'll go if I keep it. I've got it + locked up in this box. And if you keep the box I'll keep the key, and + when I want a bit I'll come and see you about it." +</p> +<p> + He pulled a little box out of 'is pocket and rattled it in my ear. +</p> +<p> + "There's five-and-twenty golden goblins in there," he ses. "If you take + charge of 'em they'll be all right. If you don't, I'm pretty certain I + sha'n't 'ave one of 'em in a week or two's time." +</p> +<p> + At fust I said I wouldn't 'ave anything to do with it, but he begged so + 'ard that I began to alter my mind. +</p> +<p> + "You're as honest as daylight, Bill," he ses, very earnest. "I don't + know another man in the world I could trust with twenty-five quid— + especially myself. Now, put it in your pocket and look arter it for me. + One of the quids in it is for you, for your trouble." +</p> +<p> + He slipped the box in my coat-pocket, and then he said 'is mind was so + relieved that 'e felt like 'arf a pint. I was for going to the Bear's + Head, the place I generally go to, because it is next door to the wharf, + so to speak, but George wanted me to try the beer at another place he + knew of. +</p> +<p> + "The wharf's all right," he ses. "There's one or two 'ands on the ship, + and they won't let anybody run away with it." +</p> +<p> + From wot he said I thought the pub was quite close, but instead o' that I + should think we walked pretty nearly a mile afore we got there. Nice + snug place it was, and the beer was all right, although, as I told George + Tebb, it didn't seem to me any better than the stuff at the Bear's Head. +</p> +<p> + He stood me two 'arf-pints and was just going to order another, when 'e + found 'e 'adn't got any money left, and he wouldn't hear of me paying for + it, because 'e said it was his treat. +</p> +<p> + "We'll 'ave a quid out o' the box," he ses. "I must 'ave one to go on + with, anyway." I shook my 'ead at 'im. +</p> +<p> + "Only one," he ses, "and that'll last me a fortnight. Besides, I want to + give you the quid I promised you." +</p> +<p> + I gave way at last, and he put his 'and in 'is trouser-pocket for the + key, and then found it wasn't there. +</p> +<p> + "I must ha' left it in my chest," he ses. "I'll 'op back and get it." + And afore I could prevent 'im he 'ad waved his 'and at me and gorn. +</p> +<p> + My fust idea was to go arter 'im, but I knew I couldn't catch 'im, and if + I tried to meet 'im coming back I should most likely miss 'im through the + side streets. So I sat there with my pipe and waited. +</p> +<p> + I suppose I 'ad been sitting down waiting for him for about ten minutes, + when a couple o' sailormen came into the bar and began to make themselves + a nuisance. Big fat chaps they was, and both of 'em more than 'arf + sprung. And arter calling for a pint apiece they began to take a little + notice of me. +</p> +<p> + "Where d'you come from?" ses one of 'em. "'Ome," I ses, very quiet. +</p> +<p> + "It's a good place—'ome," ses the chap, shaking his 'ead. "Can you sing + "Ome, Sweet 'Ome'? You seem to 'ave got wot I might call a 'singing + face.'" +</p> +<p> + "Never mind about my face," I ses, very sharp. "You mind wot you're + doing with that beer. You'll 'ave it over in a minute." +</p> +<p> + The words was 'ardly out of my mouth afore 'e gave a lurch and spilt his + pint all over me. From 'ead to foot I was dripping with beer, and I was + in such a temper I wonder I didn't murder 'im; but afore I could move + they both pulled out their pocket-'ankerchers and started to rub me down. +</p> +<p> + "That'll do," I ses at last, arter they 'ad walked round me 'arf-a-dozen + times and patted me all over to see if I was dry. "You get off while + you're safe." +</p> +<p> + "It was my mistake, mate," ses the chap who 'ad spilt the beer. +</p> +<p> + "You get outside," I ses. "Go on, both of you, afore I put you out." +</p> +<p> + They gave one look at me, standing there with my fists clenched, and then + they went out like lambs, and I 'eard 'em trot round the corner as though + they was afraid I was following. I felt a little bit damp and chilly, + but beer is like sea-water—you don't catch cold through it—and I sat + down agin to wait for George Tebb. +</p> +<p> + He came in smiling and out 'o breath in about ten minutes' time, with the + key in 'is 'and, and as soon as I told 'im wot had 'appened to me with + the beer he turned to the landlord and ordered me six o' rum 'ot at once. +</p> +<p> + "Drink that up," he ses, 'anding it to me; "but fust of all give me the + box, so as I can pay for it." +</p> +<p> + I put my 'and in my pocket. Then I put it in the other one, and arter + that I stood staring at George Tebb and shaking all over. +</p> +<p> + "Wot's the matter? Wot are you looking like that for?" he ses. +</p> +<p> + "It must ha' been them two," I ses, choking. "While they was purtending + to dry me and patting me all over they must 'ave taken it out of my + pocket." +</p> +<p> + "Wot are you talking about?" ses George, staring at me. +</p> +<p> + "The box 'as gorn," I ses, putting down the 'ot rum and feeling in my + trouser-pocket. "The box 'as gorn, and them two must 'ave taken it." +</p> +<p> + "Gorn!" ses George. "Gorn! My box with twenty-five pounds in, wot I + trusted you with, gorn? Wot are you talking about? It can't be—it's + too crool!" +</p> +<p> + He made such a noise that the landlord wot was waiting for 'is money, + asked 'im wot he meant by it, and, arter he 'ad explained, I'm blest if + the landlord didn't advise him to search me. I stood still and let + George go through my pockets, and then I told 'im I 'ad done with 'im and + I never wanted to see 'im agin as long as I lived. +</p> +<p> + "I dare say," ses George, "I dare say. But you'll come along with me to + the wharf and see the skipper. I'm not going to lose five-and-twenty + quid through your carelessness." +</p> +<p> + I marched along in front of 'im with my 'ead in the air, and when he + spoke to me I didn't answer him. He went aboard the ship when we got to + the wharf, and a minute or two arterwards 'e came to the side and said + the skipper wanted to see me. +</p> +<p> + The airs the skipper gave 'imself was sickening. He sat down there in + 'is miserable little rat-'ole of a cabin and acted as if 'e was a judge + and I was a prisoner. Most of the 'ands 'ad squeezed in there too, and + the things they advised George to do to me was remarkable. +</p> +<p> + "Silence!" ses the skipper. "Now, watchman, tell me exactly 'ow this + thing 'appened." +</p> +<p> + "I've told you once," I ses. +</p> +<p> + "I know," ses the skipper, "but I want you to tell me again to see if you + contradict yourself. I can't understand 'ow such a clever man as you + could be done so easy." +</p> +<p> + I thought I should ha' bust, but I kept my face wonderful. I just asked + 'im wot the men was like that got off with 'is watch and chain and two + pounds, in case they might be the same. +</p> +<p> + "That's different," he ses. +</p> +<p> + "Oh!" ses I. "'Ow?" +</p> +<p> + "I lost my own property," he ses, "but you lost George's, and 'ow a man + like you, that's so much sharper and cleverer than other people, could be + had so easy, I can't think. Why, a child of five would ha' known + better." +</p> +<p> + "A baby in arms would ha' known better," ses the man wot 'ad bought the + di'mond ring. "'Ow could you 'ave been so silly, Bill? At your time o' + life, too!" +</p> +<p> + "That's neither 'ere nor there," ses the skip-per. "The watchman has + lost twenty-five quid belonging to one o' my men. The question is, wot + is he going to do about it?" +</p> +<p> + "Nothing," I ses. "I didn't ask 'im to let me mind the box. He done it + of 'is own free will. It's got nothing to do with me." +</p> +<p> + "Oh, hasn't it?" ses the skipper, drawing 'imself up. "I don't want to + be too 'ard on you, but at the same time I can't let my man suffer. I'll + make it as easy as I can, and I order you to pay 'im five shillings a + week till the twenty-five pounds is cleared off." +</p> +<p> + I laughed; I couldn't 'elp it. I just stood there and laughed at 'im. +</p> +<p> + "If you don't," ses the skipper, "then I shall lay the facts of the case + afore the guv'nor. Whether he'll object to you being in a pub a mile + away, taking care of a box of gold while you was supposed to be taking + care of the wharf, is his bisness. My bisness is to see that my man 'as + 'is rights." +</p> +<p> + "'Ear, 'ear !" ses the crew. +</p> +<p> + "You please yourself, watchman," ses the skipper. "You're such a clever + man that no doubt you could get a better job to-morrow. There must be + 'eaps of people wanting a man like you. It's for you to decide. That's + all I've got to say—five bob a week till pore George 'as got 'is money + back, or else I put the case afore the guv'nor. Wot did you say?" +</p> +<p> + I said it agin, and, as 'e didn't seem to understand, I said it once + more. +</p> +<p> + "Please yourself," 'e ses, when I 'ad finished. "You're an old man, and + five bob a week can't be much loss to you. You've got nothing to spend + it on, at your time o' life. And you've got a very soft job 'ere. Wot?" +</p> +<p> + I didn't answer 'im. I just turned round, and, arter giving a man wot + stood in my way a punch in the chest, I got up on deck and on to the + wharf, and said my little say all alone to myself, behind the crane. +</p> +<p> + I paid the fust five bob to George Tebb the next time the ship was up, + and arter biting 'em over and over agin and then ringing 'em on the + deck 'e took the other chaps round to the Bear's Head. +</p> +<p> + "P'r'aps it's just as well it's 'appened," he ses. "Five bob a week for + nearly two years ain't to be sneezed at. It's slow, but it's sure." +</p> +<p> + I thought 'e was joking at fust, but arter working it out in the office + with a bit o' pencil and paper I thought I should ha' gorn crazy. And + when I complained about the time to George 'e said I could make it + shorter if I liked by paying ten bob a week, but 'e thought the steady + five bob a week was best for both of us. +</p> +<p> + I got to 'ate the sight of 'im. Every week regular as clockwork he used + to come round to me with his 'and out, and then go and treat 'is mates to + beer with my money. If the ship came up in the day-time, at six o'clock + in the evening he'd be at the wharf gate waiting for me; and if it came + up at night she was no sooner made fast than 'e was over the side patting + my trouser-pocket and saying wot a good job it was for both of us that I + was in steady employment. +</p> +<p> + Week arter week and month arter month I went on paying. I a'most forgot + the taste o' beer, and if I could manage to get a screw o' baccy a week I + thought myself lucky. And at last, just as I thought I couldn't stand it + any longer, the end came. +</p> +<p> + I 'ad just given George 'is week's money—and 'ow I got it together that + week I don't know—when one o' the chaps came up and said the skipper + wanted to see me on board at once. +</p> +<p> + "Tell 'im if he wants to see me I'm to be found on the wharf," I ses, + very sharp. +</p> +<p> + "He wants to see you about George's money," ses the chap. "I should go + if I was you. My opinion is he wants to do you a good turn." +</p> +<p> + I 'ung fire for a bit, and then, arter sweeping up for a little while + deliberate-like, I put down my broom and stepped aboard to see the + skipper, wot was sitting on the cabin skylight purtending to read a + newspaper. +</p> +<p> + He put it down when 'e see me, and George and the others, wot 'ad been + standing in a little bunch for'ard, came aft and stood looking on. +</p> +<p> + "I wanted to see you about this money, watchman," ses the skipper, + putting on 'is beastly frills agin. "O' course, we all feel that to a + pore man like you it's a bit of a strain, and, as George ses, arter all + you have been more foolish than wicked." +</p> +<p> + "Much more," ses George. +</p> +<p> + "I find that you 'ave now paid five bob a week for nineteen weeks," ses + the skipper, "and George 'as been kind enough and generous enough to let + you off the rest. There's no need for you to look bashful, George; it's + a credit to you." +</p> +<p> + I could 'ardly believe my ears. George stood there grinning like a stuck + fool, and two o' the chaps was on their best behaviour with their 'ands + over their mouths and their eyes sticking out. +</p> +<p> + "That's all, watchman," ses the skipper; "and I 'ope it'll be a lesson to + you not to neglect your dooty by going into public-'ouses and taking + charge of other people's money when you ain't fit for it." +</p> +<p> + "I sha'n't try to do anybody else a kindness agin, if that's wot you + mean," I ses, looking at 'im. +</p> +<p> + "No, you'd better not," he ses. "This partickler bit o' kindness 'as + cost you four pounds fifteen, and that's a curious thing when you come to + think of it. Very curious." +</p> +<p> + "Wot d'ye mean?" I ses. +</p> +<p> + "Why," he ses, grinning like a madman, "it's just wot we lost between us. + I lost a watch and chain worth two pounds, and another couple o' pounds + besides; Joe lost ten shillings over 'is di'mond ring; and Charlie lost + five bob over a pipe. 'That's four pounds fifteen—just the same as + you." +</p> +<p> + Them silly fools stood there choking and sobbing and patting each other + on the back as though they'd never leave off, and all of a sudden I 'ad a + 'orrible suspicion that I 'ad been done. +</p> +<p> + "Did you see the sovereigns in the box?" I ses, turning to the skipper. +</p> +<p> + "No," he ses, shaking his 'ead. +</p> +<p> + "'Ow do you know they was there, then?" ses I. +</p> +<p> + "Because you took charge of 'em," said the skipper; "and I know wot a + clever, sharp chap you are. It stands to reason that you wouldn't be + responsible for a box like that unless you saw inside of it. Why, a + child o' five wouldn't!" +</p> +<p> + I stood there looking at 'im, but he couldn't meet my eye. None of 'em + could; and arter waiting there for a minute or two to give 'em a chance, + I turned my back on 'em and went off to my dooty. +</p> + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Paying Off, by W.W. Jacobs + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PAYING OFF *** + +***** This file should be named 11472-h.htm or 11472-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/1/4/7/11472/ + +Produced by David Widger + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Paying Off + Deep Waters, Part 2. + +Author: W.W. Jacobs + +Release Date: March 6, 2004 [EBook #11472] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: US-ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PAYING OFF *** + + + + +Produced by David Widger + + + + + + +DEEP WATERS + +By W.W. JACOBS + + + + +PAYING OFF + +My biggest fault, said the night-watchman, gloomily, has been good +nature. I've spent the best part of my life trying to do my fellow- +creeturs a good turn. And what do I get for it? If all the people I've +helped was to come 'ere now there wouldn't be standing room for them on +this wharf. 'Arf of them would be pushed overboard--and a good place for +'em, too. + +I've been like it all my life. I was good-natured enough to go to sea as +a boy because a skipper took a fancy to me and wanted my 'elp, and when I +got older I was good-natured enough to get married. All my life I've +given 'elp and advice free, and only a day or two ago one of 'em wot I +'ad given it to came round here with her 'usband and 'er two brothers and +'er mother and two or three people from the same street, to see her give +me "wot for." + +Another fault o' mine has been being sharp. Most people make mistakes, +and they can't bear to see anybody as don't. Over and over agin I have +showed people 'ow silly they 'ave been to do certain things, and told 'em +wot I should ha' done in their place, but I can't remember one that ever +gave me a "thank you" for it. + +There was a man 'ere 'arf an hour ago that reminded me of both of these +faults. He came in a-purpose to remind me, and 'e brought a couple o' +grinning, brass-faced monkeys with 'im to see 'im do it. I was sitting +on that barrel when he came, and arter two minutes I felt as if I was +sitting on red-'ot cinders. He purtended he 'ad come in for the sake of +old times and to ask arter my 'ealth, and all the time he was doing 'is +best to upset me to amuse them two pore objecks 'e 'ad brought with 'im. + +Capt'in Mellun is his name, and 'e was always a foolish, soft-'eaded sort +o' man, and how he 'as kept 'is job I can't think. He used to trade +between this wharf and Bristol on a little schooner called the _Firefly_, +and seeing wot a silly, foolish kind o' man he was, I took a little bit +o' notice of 'im. Many and many a time when 'e was going to do something +he'd ha' been sorry for arterwards I 'ave taken 'im round to the Bear's +Head and stood 'im pint arter pint until he began to see reason and own +up that I was in the right. + +His crew was a'most as bad as wot he was, and all in one month one o' the +'ands gave a man ten shillings for a di'mond ring he saw 'im pick up, wot +turned out to be worth fourpence, and another one gave five bob for a +meerschaum pipe made o' chalk. When I pointed out to 'em wot fools they +was they didn't like it, and a week arterwards, when the skipper gave a +man in a pub 'is watch and chain and two pounds to hold, to show 'is +confidence in 'im, and I told 'im exactly wot I thought of him, 'e didn't +like it. + +"You're too sharp, Bill," he says, sneering like. "My opinion is that +the pore man was run over. He told me 'e should only be away five +minutes. And he 'ad got an honest face: nice open blue eyes, and a smile +that done you good to look at." + +"You've been swindled," I ses, "and you know it. If I'd been done like +that I should never hold up my 'ead agin. Why, a child o' five would +know better. You and your crew all seem to be tarred with the same +brush. You ain't fit to be trusted out alone." + +I believe 'e told his 'ands wot I said; anyway, two bits o' coke missed +me by 'arf an inch next evening, and for some weeks not one of 'em spoke +a word to me. When they see me coming they just used to stand up +straight and twist their nose. + +It didn't 'urt me, o' course. I took no notice of 'em. Even when one of +'em fell over the broom I was sweeping with I took no notice of 'im. I +just went on with my work as if 'e wasn't there. + +I suppose they 'ad been in the sulks about a month, and I was sitting +'ere one evening getting my breath arter a couple o' hours' 'ard work, +when one of 'em, George Tebb by name, came off the ship and nodded to me +as he passed. + +"Evening, Bill," he ses. + +"Evening," I ses, rather stiff. + +"I wanted a word with you, Bill," he ses, in a low voice. "In fact, I +might go so far as to say I want to ask you to do me a favour." + +I looked at him so 'ard that he coughed and looked away. + +"We might talk about it over a 'arf-pint," he ses. + +"No, thank you," I ses. "I 'ad a 'arf-pint the day before yesterday, and +I'm not thirsty." + +He stood there fidgeting about for a bit, and then he puts his 'and on my +shoulder. + +"Well, come to the end of the jetty," he ses. "I've got something +private to say." + +I got up slow-like and followed 'im. I wasn't a bit curious. Not a bit. +But if a man asks for my 'elp I always give it. + +"It's like this," he ses, looking round careful, "only I don't want the +other chaps to hear because I don't want to be laughed at. Last week an +old uncle o' mine died and left me thirty pounds. It's just a week ago, +and I've already got through five of 'em, and besides that the number of +chaps that want to borrow ten bob for a couple o' days would surprise +you." + +"I ain't so easy surprised," I ses, shaking my 'ead. + +"It ain't safe with me," he ses; "and the favour I want you to do is to +take care of it for me. I know it'll go if I keep it. I've got it +locked up in this box. And if you keep the box I'll keep the key, and +when I want a bit I'll come and see you about it." + +He pulled a little box out of 'is pocket and rattled it in my ear. + +"There's five-and-twenty golden goblins in there," he ses. "If you take +charge of 'em they'll be all right. If you don't, I'm pretty certain I +sha'n't 'ave one of 'em in a week or two's time." + +At fust I said I wouldn't 'ave anything to do with it, but he begged so +'ard that I began to alter my mind. + +"You're as honest as daylight, Bill," he ses, very earnest. "I don't +know another man in the world I could trust with twenty-five quid-- +especially myself. Now, put it in your pocket and look arter it for me. +One of the quids in it is for you, for your trouble." + +He slipped the box in my coat-pocket, and then he said 'is mind was so +relieved that 'e felt like 'arf a pint. I was for going to the Bear's +Head, the place I generally go to, because it is next door to the wharf, +so to speak, but George wanted me to try the beer at another place he +knew of. + +"The wharf's all right," he ses. "There's one or two 'ands on the ship, +and they won't let anybody run away with it." + +From wot he said I thought the pub was quite close, but instead o' that I +should think we walked pretty nearly a mile afore we got there. Nice +snug place it was, and the beer was all right, although, as I told George +Tebb, it didn't seem to me any better than the stuff at the Bear's Head. + +He stood me two 'arf-pints and was just going to order another, when 'e +found 'e 'adn't got any money left, and he wouldn't hear of me paying for +it, because 'e said it was his treat. + +"We'll 'ave a quid out o' the box," he ses. "I must 'ave one to go on +with, anyway." I shook my 'ead at 'im. + +"Only one," he ses, "and that'll last me a fortnight. Besides, I want to +give you the quid I promised you." + +I gave way at last, and he put his 'and in 'is trouser-pocket for the +key, and then found it wasn't there. + +"I must ha' left it in my chest," he ses. "I'll 'op back and get it." +And afore I could prevent 'im he 'ad waved his 'and at me and gorn. + +My fust idea was to go arter 'im, but I knew I couldn't catch 'im, and if +I tried to meet 'im coming back I should most likely miss 'im through the +side streets. So I sat there with my pipe and waited. + +I suppose I 'ad been sitting down waiting for him for about ten minutes, +when a couple o' sailormen came into the bar and began to make themselves +a nuisance. Big fat chaps they was, and both of 'em more than 'arf +sprung. And arter calling for a pint apiece they began to take a little +notice of me. + +"Where d'you come from?" ses one of 'em. "'Ome," I ses, very quiet. + +"It's a good place--'ome," ses the chap, shaking his 'ead. "Can you sing +"Ome, Sweet 'Ome'? You seem to 'ave got wot I might call a 'singing +face.'" + +"Never mind about my face," I ses, very sharp. "You mind wot you're +doing with that beer. You'll 'ave it over in a minute." + +The words was 'ardly out of my mouth afore 'e gave a lurch and spilt his +pint all over me. From 'ead to foot I was dripping with beer, and I was +in such a temper I wonder I didn't murder 'im; but afore I could move +they both pulled out their pocket-'ankerchers and started to rub me down. + +"That'll do," I ses at last, arter they 'ad walked round me 'arf-a-dozen +times and patted me all over to see if I was dry. "You get off while +you're safe." + +"It was my mistake, mate," ses the chap who 'ad spilt the beer. + +"You get outside," I ses. "Go on, both of you, afore I put you out." + +They gave one look at me, standing there with my fists clenched, and then +they went out like lambs, and I 'eard 'em trot round the corner as though +they was afraid I was following. I felt a little bit damp and chilly, +but beer is like sea-water--you don't catch cold through it--and I sat +down agin to wait for George Tebb. + +He came in smiling and out 'o breath in about ten minutes' time, with the +key in 'is 'and, and as soon as I told 'im wot had 'appened to me with +the beer he turned to the landlord and ordered me six o' rum 'ot at once. + +"Drink that up," he ses, 'anding it to me; "but fust of all give me the +box, so as I can pay for it." + +I put my 'and in my pocket. Then I put it in the other one, and arter +that I stood staring at George Tebb and shaking all over. + +"Wot's the matter? Wot are you looking like that for?" he ses. + +"It must ha' been them two," I ses, choking. "While they was purtending +to dry me and patting me all over they must 'ave taken it out of my +pocket." + +"Wot are you talking about?" ses George, staring at me. + +"The box 'as gorn," I ses, putting down the 'ot rum and feeling in my +trouser-pocket. "The box 'as gorn, and them two must 'ave taken it." + +"Gorn!" ses George. "Gorn! My box with twenty-five pounds in, wot I +trusted you with, gorn? Wot are you talking about? It can't be--it's +too crool!" + +He made such a noise that the landlord wot was waiting for 'is money, +asked 'im wot he meant by it, and, arter he 'ad explained, I'm blest if +the landlord didn't advise him to search me. I stood still and let +George go through my pockets, and then I told 'im I 'ad done with 'im and +I never wanted to see 'im agin as long as I lived. + +"I dare say," ses George, "I dare say. But you'll come along with me to +the wharf and see the skipper. I'm not going to lose five-and-twenty +quid through your carelessness." + +I marched along in front of 'im with my 'ead in the air, and when he +spoke to me I didn't answer him. He went aboard the ship when we got to +the wharf, and a minute or two arterwards 'e came to the side and said +the skipper wanted to see me. + +The airs the skipper gave 'imself was sickening. He sat down there in +'is miserable little rat-'ole of a cabin and acted as if 'e was a judge +and I was a prisoner. Most of the 'ands 'ad squeezed in there too, and +the things they advised George to do to me was remarkable. + +"Silence!" ses the skipper. "Now, watchman, tell me exactly 'ow this +thing 'appened." + +"I've told you once," I ses. + +"I know," ses the skipper, "but I want you to tell me again to see if you +contradict yourself. I can't understand 'ow such a clever man as you +could be done so easy." + +I thought I should ha' bust, but I kept my face wonderful. I just asked +'im wot the men was like that got off with 'is watch and chain and two +pounds, in case they might be the same. + +"That's different," he ses. + +"Oh!" ses I. "'Ow?" + +"I lost my own property," he ses, "but you lost George's, and 'ow a man +like you, that's so much sharper and cleverer than other people, could be +had so easy, I can't think. Why, a child of five would ha' known +better." + +"A baby in arms would ha' known better," ses the man wot 'ad bought the +di'mond ring. "'Ow could you 'ave been so silly, Bill? At your time o' +life, too!" + +"That's neither 'ere nor there," ses the skip-per. "The watchman has +lost twenty-five quid belonging to one o' my men. The question is, wot +is he going to do about it?" + +"Nothing," I ses. "I didn't ask 'im to let me mind the box. He done it +of 'is own free will. It's got nothing to do with me." + +"Oh, hasn't it?" ses the skipper, drawing 'imself up. "I don't want to +be too 'ard on you, but at the same time I can't let my man suffer. I'll +make it as easy as I can, and I order you to pay 'im five shillings a +week till the twenty-five pounds is cleared off." + +I laughed; I couldn't 'elp it. I just stood there and laughed at 'im. + +"If you don't," ses the skipper, "then I shall lay the facts of the case +afore the guv'nor. Whether he'll object to you being in a pub a mile +away, taking care of a box of gold while you was supposed to be taking +care of the wharf, is his bisness. My bisness is to see that my man 'as +'is rights." + +"'Ear, 'ear !" ses the crew. + +"You please yourself, watchman," ses the skipper. "You're such a clever +man that no doubt you could get a better job to-morrow. There must be +'eaps of people wanting a man like you. It's for you to decide. That's +all I've got to say--five bob a week till pore George 'as got 'is money +back, or else I put the case afore the guv'nor. Wot did you say?" + +I said it agin, and, as 'e didn't seem to understand, I said it once +more. + +"Please yourself," 'e ses, when I 'ad finished. "You're an old man, and +five bob a week can't be much loss to you. You've got nothing to spend +it on, at your time o' life. And you've got a very soft job 'ere. Wot?" + +I didn't answer 'im. I just turned round, and, arter giving a man wot +stood in my way a punch in the chest, I got up on deck and on to the +wharf, and said my little say all alone to myself, behind the crane. + +I paid the fust five bob to George Tebb the next time the ship was up, +and arter biting 'em over and over agin and then ringing 'em on the +deck 'e took the other chaps round to the Bear's Head. + +"P'r'aps it's just as well it's 'appened," he ses. "Five bob a week for +nearly two years ain't to be sneezed at. It's slow, but it's sure." + +I thought 'e was joking at fust, but arter working it out in the office +with a bit o' pencil and paper I thought I should ha' gorn crazy. And +when I complained about the time to George 'e said I could make it +shorter if I liked by paying ten bob a week, but 'e thought the steady +five bob a week was best for both of us. + +I got to 'ate the sight of 'im. Every week regular as clockwork he used +to come round to me with his 'and out, and then go and treat 'is mates to +beer with my money. If the ship came up in the day-time, at six o'clock +in the evening he'd be at the wharf gate waiting for me; and if it came +up at night she was no sooner made fast than 'e was over the side patting +my trouser-pocket and saying wot a good job it was for both of us that I +was in steady employment. + +Week arter week and month arter month I went on paying. I a'most forgot +the taste o' beer, and if I could manage to get a screw o' baccy a week I +thought myself lucky. And at last, just as I thought I couldn't stand it +any longer, the end came. + +I 'ad just given George 'is week's money--and 'ow I got it together that +week I don't know--when one o' the chaps came up and said the skipper +wanted to see me on board at once. + +"Tell 'im if he wants to see me I'm to be found on the wharf," I ses, +very sharp. + +"He wants to see you about George's money," ses the chap. "I should go +if I was you. My opinion is he wants to do you a good turn." + +I 'ung fire for a bit, and then, arter sweeping up for a little while +deliberate-like, I put down my broom and stepped aboard to see the +skipper, wot was sitting on the cabin skylight purtending to read a +newspaper. + +He put it down when 'e see me, and George and the others, wot 'ad been +standing in a little bunch for'ard, came aft and stood looking on. + +"I wanted to see you about this money, watchman," ses the skipper, +putting on 'is beastly frills agin. "O' course, we all feel that to a +pore man like you it's a bit of a strain, and, as George ses, arter all +you have been more foolish than wicked." + +"Much more," ses George. + +"I find that you 'ave now paid five bob a week for nineteen weeks," ses +the skipper, "and George 'as been kind enough and generous enough to let +you off the rest. There's no need for you to look bashful, George; it's +a credit to you." + +I could 'ardly believe my ears. George stood there grinning like a stuck +fool, and two o' the chaps was on their best behaviour with their 'ands +over their mouths and their eyes sticking out. + +"That's all, watchman," ses the skipper; "and I 'ope it'll be a lesson to +you not to neglect your dooty by going into public-'ouses and taking +charge of other people's money when you ain't fit for it." + +"I sha'n't try to do anybody else a kindness agin, if that's wot you +mean," I ses, looking at 'im. + +"No, you'd better not," he ses. "This partickler bit o' kindness 'as +cost you four pounds fifteen, and that's a curious thing when you come to +think of it. Very curious." + +"Wot d'ye mean?" I ses. + +"Why," he ses, grinning like a madman, "it's just wot we lost between us. +I lost a watch and chain worth two pounds, and another couple o' pounds +besides; Joe lost ten shillings over 'is di'mond ring; and Charlie lost +five bob over a pipe. 'That's four pounds fifteen--just the same as +you." + +Them silly fools stood there choking and sobbing and patting each other +on the back as though they'd never leave off, and all of a sudden I 'ad a +'orrible suspicion that I 'ad been done. + +"Did you see the sovereigns in the box?" I ses, turning to the skipper. + +"No," he ses, shaking his 'ead. + +"'Ow do you know they was there, then?" ses I. + +"Because you took charge of 'em," said the skipper; "and I know wot a +clever, sharp chap you are. It stands to reason that you wouldn't be +responsible for a box like that unless you saw inside of it. Why, a +child o' five wouldn't!" + +I stood there looking at 'im, but he couldn't meet my eye. None of 'em +could; and arter waiting there for a minute or two to give 'em a chance, +I turned my back on 'em and went off to my dooty. + + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Paying Off, by W.W. 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Jacobs. +</title> +<style type="text/css"> + <!-- + body {background:#faebd7} + * { font-family: Times; + } + P { text-indent: 1em; + margin: 15%; + margin-top: .75em; + font-size: 14pt; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; color:#A82C28} + HR { width: 33%; } + PRE { font-family: Courier, monospaced;} + .toc { margin-left: 15%; font-size: 14pt; margin-bottom: 0em;} + CENTER { padding: 10px;} + // --> +</style> +</head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Paying Off, by W.W. Jacobs + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Paying Off + Deep Waters, Part 2. + +Author: W.W. Jacobs + +Release Date: March 6, 2004 [EBook #11472] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: US-ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PAYING OFF *** + + + + +Produced by David Widger + + + + + +</pre> + + + +<br><br> +<center> +<img alt="cover (95K)" src="cover.jpg" height="787" width="632" /> +</center> +<br><br><br><br> + + +<h1> + DEEP WATERS +</h1> +<center><h2> + By W.W. JACOBS +</h2></center> + +<br><br><br><br> +<center> +<img alt="title (39K)" src="title.jpg" height="617" width="488" /> +</center> +<br><br> + + +<br><br> +<center> +<img alt="001 (37K)" src="001.jpg" height="670" width="480" /> +</center> +<br><br> + +<br><br><hr><br><br> + + + + +<a name="2H_4_1"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<h1> + PAYING OFF +</h1> +<br /><br /> +<p> + My biggest fault, said the night-watchman, gloomily, has been good + nature. I've spent the best part of my life trying to do my fellow- + creeturs a good turn. And what do I get for it? If all the people I've + helped was to come 'ere now there wouldn't be standing room for them on + this wharf. 'Arf of them would be pushed overboard—and a good place for + 'em, too. +</p> +<p> + I've been like it all my life. I was good-natured enough to go to sea as + a boy because a skipper took a fancy to me and wanted my 'elp, and when I + got older I was good-natured enough to get married. All my life I've + given 'elp and advice free, and only a day or two ago one of 'em wot I + 'ad given it to came round here with her 'usband and 'er two brothers and + 'er mother and two or three people from the same street, to see her give + me "wot for." +</p> +<p> + Another fault o' mine has been being sharp. Most people make mistakes, + and they can't bear to see anybody as don't. Over and over agin I have + showed people 'ow silly they 'ave been to do certain things, and told 'em + wot I should ha' done in their place, but I can't remember one that ever + gave me a "thank you" for it. +</p> +<p> + There was a man 'ere 'arf an hour ago that reminded me of both of these + faults. He came in a-purpose to remind me, and 'e brought a couple o' + grinning, brass-faced monkeys with 'im to see 'im do it. I was sitting + on that barrel when he came, and arter two minutes I felt as if I was + sitting on red-'ot cinders. He purtended he 'ad come in for the sake of + old times and to ask arter my 'ealth, and all the time he was doing 'is + best to upset me to amuse them two pore objecks 'e 'ad brought with 'im. +</p> +<p> + Capt'in Mellun is his name, and 'e was always a foolish, soft-'eaded sort + o' man, and how he 'as kept 'is job I can't think. He used to trade + between this wharf and Bristol on a little schooner called the <i>Firefly</i>, + and seeing wot a silly, foolish kind o' man he was, I took a little bit + o' notice of 'im. Many and many a time when 'e was going to do something + he'd ha' been sorry for arterwards I 'ave taken 'im round to the Bear's + Head and stood 'im pint arter pint until he began to see reason and own + up that I was in the right. +</p> +<p> + His crew was a'most as bad as wot he was, and all in one month one o' the + 'ands gave a man ten shillings for a di'mond ring he saw 'im pick up, wot + turned out to be worth fourpence, and another one gave five bob for a + meerschaum pipe made o' chalk. When I pointed out to 'em wot fools they + was they didn't like it, and a week arterwards, when the skipper gave a + man in a pub 'is watch and chain and two pounds to hold, to show 'is + confidence in 'im, and I told 'im exactly wot I thought of him, 'e didn't + like it. +</p> +<p> + "You're too sharp, Bill," he says, sneering like. "My opinion is that + the pore man was run over. He told me 'e should only be away five + minutes. And he 'ad got an honest face: nice open blue eyes, and a smile + that done you good to look at." +</p> +<p> + "You've been swindled," I ses, "and you know it. If I'd been done like + that I should never hold up my 'ead agin. Why, a child o' five would + know better. You and your crew all seem to be tarred with the same + brush. You ain't fit to be trusted out alone." +</p> +<p> + I believe 'e told his 'ands wot I said; anyway, two bits o' coke missed + me by 'arf an inch next evening, and for some weeks not one of 'em spoke + a word to me. When they see me coming they just used to stand up + straight and twist their nose. +</p> +<p> + It didn't 'urt me, o' course. I took no notice of 'em. Even when one of + 'em fell over the broom I was sweeping with I took no notice of 'im. I + just went on with my work as if 'e wasn't there. +</p> +<p> + I suppose they 'ad been in the sulks about a month, and I was sitting + 'ere one evening getting my breath arter a couple o' hours' 'ard work, + when one of 'em, George Tebb by name, came off the ship and nodded to me + as he passed. +</p> +<p> + "Evening, Bill," he ses. +</p> +<p> + "Evening," I ses, rather stiff. +</p> +<p> + "I wanted a word with you, Bill," he ses, in a low voice. "In fact, I + might go so far as to say I want to ask you to do me a favour." +</p> +<p> + I looked at him so 'ard that he coughed and looked away. +</p> +<p> + "We might talk about it over a 'arf-pint," he ses. +</p> +<p> + "No, thank you," I ses. "I 'ad a 'arf-pint the day before yesterday, and + I'm not thirsty." +</p> +<p> + He stood there fidgeting about for a bit, and then he puts his 'and on my + shoulder. +</p> +<p> + "Well, come to the end of the jetty," he ses. "I've got something + private to say." +</p> +<p> + I got up slow-like and followed 'im. I wasn't a bit curious. Not a bit. + But if a man asks for my 'elp I always give it. +</p> +<p> + "It's like this," he ses, looking round careful, "only I don't want the + other chaps to hear because I don't want to be laughed at. Last week an + old uncle o' mine died and left me thirty pounds. It's just a week ago, + and I've already got through five of 'em, and besides that the number of + chaps that want to borrow ten bob for a couple o' days would surprise + you." +</p> +<p> + "I ain't so easy surprised," I ses, shaking my 'ead. +</p> +<p> + "It ain't safe with me," he ses; "and the favour I want you to do is to + take care of it for me. I know it'll go if I keep it. I've got it + locked up in this box. And if you keep the box I'll keep the key, and + when I want a bit I'll come and see you about it." +</p> +<p> + He pulled a little box out of 'is pocket and rattled it in my ear. +</p> +<p> + "There's five-and-twenty golden goblins in there," he ses. "If you take + charge of 'em they'll be all right. If you don't, I'm pretty certain I + sha'n't 'ave one of 'em in a week or two's time." +</p> +<p> + At fust I said I wouldn't 'ave anything to do with it, but he begged so + 'ard that I began to alter my mind. +</p> +<p> + "You're as honest as daylight, Bill," he ses, very earnest. "I don't + know another man in the world I could trust with twenty-five quid— + especially myself. Now, put it in your pocket and look arter it for me. + One of the quids in it is for you, for your trouble." +</p> +<p> + He slipped the box in my coat-pocket, and then he said 'is mind was so + relieved that 'e felt like 'arf a pint. I was for going to the Bear's + Head, the place I generally go to, because it is next door to the wharf, + so to speak, but George wanted me to try the beer at another place he + knew of. +</p> +<p> + "The wharf's all right," he ses. "There's one or two 'ands on the ship, + and they won't let anybody run away with it." +</p> +<p> + From wot he said I thought the pub was quite close, but instead o' that I + should think we walked pretty nearly a mile afore we got there. Nice + snug place it was, and the beer was all right, although, as I told George + Tebb, it didn't seem to me any better than the stuff at the Bear's Head. +</p> +<p> + He stood me two 'arf-pints and was just going to order another, when 'e + found 'e 'adn't got any money left, and he wouldn't hear of me paying for + it, because 'e said it was his treat. +</p> +<p> + "We'll 'ave a quid out o' the box," he ses. "I must 'ave one to go on + with, anyway." I shook my 'ead at 'im. +</p> +<p> + "Only one," he ses, "and that'll last me a fortnight. Besides, I want to + give you the quid I promised you." +</p> +<p> + I gave way at last, and he put his 'and in 'is trouser-pocket for the + key, and then found it wasn't there. +</p> +<p> + "I must ha' left it in my chest," he ses. "I'll 'op back and get it." + And afore I could prevent 'im he 'ad waved his 'and at me and gorn. +</p> +<p> + My fust idea was to go arter 'im, but I knew I couldn't catch 'im, and if + I tried to meet 'im coming back I should most likely miss 'im through the + side streets. So I sat there with my pipe and waited. +</p> +<p> + I suppose I 'ad been sitting down waiting for him for about ten minutes, + when a couple o' sailormen came into the bar and began to make themselves + a nuisance. Big fat chaps they was, and both of 'em more than 'arf + sprung. And arter calling for a pint apiece they began to take a little + notice of me. +</p> +<p> + "Where d'you come from?" ses one of 'em. "'Ome," I ses, very quiet. +</p> +<p> + "It's a good place—'ome," ses the chap, shaking his 'ead. "Can you sing + "Ome, Sweet 'Ome'? You seem to 'ave got wot I might call a 'singing + face.'" +</p> +<p> + "Never mind about my face," I ses, very sharp. "You mind wot you're + doing with that beer. You'll 'ave it over in a minute." +</p> +<p> + The words was 'ardly out of my mouth afore 'e gave a lurch and spilt his + pint all over me. From 'ead to foot I was dripping with beer, and I was + in such a temper I wonder I didn't murder 'im; but afore I could move + they both pulled out their pocket-'ankerchers and started to rub me down. +</p> +<p> + "That'll do," I ses at last, arter they 'ad walked round me 'arf-a-dozen + times and patted me all over to see if I was dry. "You get off while + you're safe." +</p> +<p> + "It was my mistake, mate," ses the chap who 'ad spilt the beer. +</p> +<p> + "You get outside," I ses. "Go on, both of you, afore I put you out." +</p> +<p> + They gave one look at me, standing there with my fists clenched, and then + they went out like lambs, and I 'eard 'em trot round the corner as though + they was afraid I was following. I felt a little bit damp and chilly, + but beer is like sea-water—you don't catch cold through it—and I sat + down agin to wait for George Tebb. +</p> +<p> + He came in smiling and out 'o breath in about ten minutes' time, with the + key in 'is 'and, and as soon as I told 'im wot had 'appened to me with + the beer he turned to the landlord and ordered me six o' rum 'ot at once. +</p> +<p> + "Drink that up," he ses, 'anding it to me; "but fust of all give me the + box, so as I can pay for it." +</p> +<p> + I put my 'and in my pocket. Then I put it in the other one, and arter + that I stood staring at George Tebb and shaking all over. +</p> +<p> + "Wot's the matter? Wot are you looking like that for?" he ses. +</p> +<p> + "It must ha' been them two," I ses, choking. "While they was purtending + to dry me and patting me all over they must 'ave taken it out of my + pocket." +</p> +<p> + "Wot are you talking about?" ses George, staring at me. +</p> +<p> + "The box 'as gorn," I ses, putting down the 'ot rum and feeling in my + trouser-pocket. "The box 'as gorn, and them two must 'ave taken it." +</p> +<p> + "Gorn!" ses George. "Gorn! My box with twenty-five pounds in, wot I + trusted you with, gorn? Wot are you talking about? It can't be—it's + too crool!" +</p> +<p> + He made such a noise that the landlord wot was waiting for 'is money, + asked 'im wot he meant by it, and, arter he 'ad explained, I'm blest if + the landlord didn't advise him to search me. I stood still and let + George go through my pockets, and then I told 'im I 'ad done with 'im and + I never wanted to see 'im agin as long as I lived. +</p> +<p> + "I dare say," ses George, "I dare say. But you'll come along with me to + the wharf and see the skipper. I'm not going to lose five-and-twenty + quid through your carelessness." +</p> +<p> + I marched along in front of 'im with my 'ead in the air, and when he + spoke to me I didn't answer him. He went aboard the ship when we got to + the wharf, and a minute or two arterwards 'e came to the side and said + the skipper wanted to see me. +</p> +<p> + The airs the skipper gave 'imself was sickening. He sat down there in + 'is miserable little rat-'ole of a cabin and acted as if 'e was a judge + and I was a prisoner. Most of the 'ands 'ad squeezed in there too, and + the things they advised George to do to me was remarkable. +</p> +<p> + "Silence!" ses the skipper. "Now, watchman, tell me exactly 'ow this + thing 'appened." +</p> +<p> + "I've told you once," I ses. +</p> +<p> + "I know," ses the skipper, "but I want you to tell me again to see if you + contradict yourself. I can't understand 'ow such a clever man as you + could be done so easy." +</p> +<p> + I thought I should ha' bust, but I kept my face wonderful. I just asked + 'im wot the men was like that got off with 'is watch and chain and two + pounds, in case they might be the same. +</p> +<p> + "That's different," he ses. +</p> +<p> + "Oh!" ses I. "'Ow?" +</p> +<p> + "I lost my own property," he ses, "but you lost George's, and 'ow a man + like you, that's so much sharper and cleverer than other people, could be + had so easy, I can't think. Why, a child of five would ha' known + better." +</p> +<p> + "A baby in arms would ha' known better," ses the man wot 'ad bought the + di'mond ring. "'Ow could you 'ave been so silly, Bill? At your time o' + life, too!" +</p> +<p> + "That's neither 'ere nor there," ses the skip-per. "The watchman has + lost twenty-five quid belonging to one o' my men. The question is, wot + is he going to do about it?" +</p> +<p> + "Nothing," I ses. "I didn't ask 'im to let me mind the box. He done it + of 'is own free will. It's got nothing to do with me." +</p> +<p> + "Oh, hasn't it?" ses the skipper, drawing 'imself up. "I don't want to + be too 'ard on you, but at the same time I can't let my man suffer. I'll + make it as easy as I can, and I order you to pay 'im five shillings a + week till the twenty-five pounds is cleared off." +</p> +<p> + I laughed; I couldn't 'elp it. I just stood there and laughed at 'im. +</p> +<p> + "If you don't," ses the skipper, "then I shall lay the facts of the case + afore the guv'nor. Whether he'll object to you being in a pub a mile + away, taking care of a box of gold while you was supposed to be taking + care of the wharf, is his bisness. My bisness is to see that my man 'as + 'is rights." +</p> +<p> + "'Ear, 'ear !" ses the crew. +</p> +<p> + "You please yourself, watchman," ses the skipper. "You're such a clever + man that no doubt you could get a better job to-morrow. There must be + 'eaps of people wanting a man like you. It's for you to decide. That's + all I've got to say—five bob a week till pore George 'as got 'is money + back, or else I put the case afore the guv'nor. Wot did you say?" +</p> +<p> + I said it agin, and, as 'e didn't seem to understand, I said it once + more. +</p> +<p> + "Please yourself," 'e ses, when I 'ad finished. "You're an old man, and + five bob a week can't be much loss to you. You've got nothing to spend + it on, at your time o' life. And you've got a very soft job 'ere. Wot?" +</p> +<p> + I didn't answer 'im. I just turned round, and, arter giving a man wot + stood in my way a punch in the chest, I got up on deck and on to the + wharf, and said my little say all alone to myself, behind the crane. +</p> +<p> + I paid the fust five bob to George Tebb the next time the ship was up, + and arter biting 'em over and over agin and then ringing 'em on the + deck 'e took the other chaps round to the Bear's Head. +</p> +<p> + "P'r'aps it's just as well it's 'appened," he ses. "Five bob a week for + nearly two years ain't to be sneezed at. It's slow, but it's sure." +</p> +<p> + I thought 'e was joking at fust, but arter working it out in the office + with a bit o' pencil and paper I thought I should ha' gorn crazy. And + when I complained about the time to George 'e said I could make it + shorter if I liked by paying ten bob a week, but 'e thought the steady + five bob a week was best for both of us. +</p> +<p> + I got to 'ate the sight of 'im. Every week regular as clockwork he used + to come round to me with his 'and out, and then go and treat 'is mates to + beer with my money. If the ship came up in the day-time, at six o'clock + in the evening he'd be at the wharf gate waiting for me; and if it came + up at night she was no sooner made fast than 'e was over the side patting + my trouser-pocket and saying wot a good job it was for both of us that I + was in steady employment. +</p> +<p> + Week arter week and month arter month I went on paying. I a'most forgot + the taste o' beer, and if I could manage to get a screw o' baccy a week I + thought myself lucky. And at last, just as I thought I couldn't stand it + any longer, the end came. +</p> +<p> + I 'ad just given George 'is week's money—and 'ow I got it together that + week I don't know—when one o' the chaps came up and said the skipper + wanted to see me on board at once. +</p> +<p> + "Tell 'im if he wants to see me I'm to be found on the wharf," I ses, + very sharp. +</p> +<p> + "He wants to see you about George's money," ses the chap. "I should go + if I was you. My opinion is he wants to do you a good turn." +</p> +<p> + I 'ung fire for a bit, and then, arter sweeping up for a little while + deliberate-like, I put down my broom and stepped aboard to see the + skipper, wot was sitting on the cabin skylight purtending to read a + newspaper. +</p> +<p> + He put it down when 'e see me, and George and the others, wot 'ad been + standing in a little bunch for'ard, came aft and stood looking on. +</p> +<p> + "I wanted to see you about this money, watchman," ses the skipper, + putting on 'is beastly frills agin. "O' course, we all feel that to a + pore man like you it's a bit of a strain, and, as George ses, arter all + you have been more foolish than wicked." +</p> +<p> + "Much more," ses George. +</p> +<p> + "I find that you 'ave now paid five bob a week for nineteen weeks," ses + the skipper, "and George 'as been kind enough and generous enough to let + you off the rest. There's no need for you to look bashful, George; it's + a credit to you." +</p> +<p> + I could 'ardly believe my ears. George stood there grinning like a stuck + fool, and two o' the chaps was on their best behaviour with their 'ands + over their mouths and their eyes sticking out. +</p> +<p> + "That's all, watchman," ses the skipper; "and I 'ope it'll be a lesson to + you not to neglect your dooty by going into public-'ouses and taking + charge of other people's money when you ain't fit for it." +</p> +<p> + "I sha'n't try to do anybody else a kindness agin, if that's wot you + mean," I ses, looking at 'im. +</p> +<p> + "No, you'd better not," he ses. "This partickler bit o' kindness 'as + cost you four pounds fifteen, and that's a curious thing when you come to + think of it. Very curious." +</p> +<p> + "Wot d'ye mean?" I ses. +</p> +<p> + "Why," he ses, grinning like a madman, "it's just wot we lost between us. + I lost a watch and chain worth two pounds, and another couple o' pounds + besides; Joe lost ten shillings over 'is di'mond ring; and Charlie lost + five bob over a pipe. 'That's four pounds fifteen—just the same as + you." +</p> +<p> + Them silly fools stood there choking and sobbing and patting each other + on the back as though they'd never leave off, and all of a sudden I 'ad a + 'orrible suspicion that I 'ad been done. +</p> +<p> + "Did you see the sovereigns in the box?" I ses, turning to the skipper. +</p> +<p> + "No," he ses, shaking his 'ead. +</p> +<p> + "'Ow do you know they was there, then?" ses I. +</p> +<p> + "Because you took charge of 'em," said the skipper; "and I know wot a + clever, sharp chap you are. It stands to reason that you wouldn't be + responsible for a box like that unless you saw inside of it. Why, a + child o' five wouldn't!" +</p> +<p> + I stood there looking at 'im, but he couldn't meet my eye. None of 'em + could; and arter waiting there for a minute or two to give 'em a chance, + I turned my back on 'em and went off to my dooty. +</p> + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Paying Off, by W.W. Jacobs + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PAYING OFF *** + +***** This file should be named 11472-h.htm or 11472-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/1/4/7/11472/ + +Produced by David Widger + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Paying Off + Deep Waters, Part 2. + +Author: W.W. Jacobs + +Release Date: March 6, 2004 [EBook #11472] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: US-ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PAYING OFF *** + + + + +Produced by David Widger + + + + + + +DEEP WATERS + +By W.W. JACOBS + + + + +PAYING OFF + +My biggest fault, said the night-watchman, gloomily, has been good +nature. I've spent the best part of my life trying to do my fellow- +creeturs a good turn. And what do I get for it? If all the people I've +helped was to come 'ere now there wouldn't be standing room for them on +this wharf. 'Arf of them would be pushed overboard--and a good place for +'em, too. + +I've been like it all my life. I was good-natured enough to go to sea as +a boy because a skipper took a fancy to me and wanted my 'elp, and when I +got older I was good-natured enough to get married. All my life I've +given 'elp and advice free, and only a day or two ago one of 'em wot I +'ad given it to came round here with her 'usband and 'er two brothers and +'er mother and two or three people from the same street, to see her give +me "wot for." + +Another fault o' mine has been being sharp. Most people make mistakes, +and they can't bear to see anybody as don't. Over and over agin I have +showed people 'ow silly they 'ave been to do certain things, and told 'em +wot I should ha' done in their place, but I can't remember one that ever +gave me a "thank you" for it. + +There was a man 'ere 'arf an hour ago that reminded me of both of these +faults. He came in a-purpose to remind me, and 'e brought a couple o' +grinning, brass-faced monkeys with 'im to see 'im do it. I was sitting +on that barrel when he came, and arter two minutes I felt as if I was +sitting on red-'ot cinders. He purtended he 'ad come in for the sake of +old times and to ask arter my 'ealth, and all the time he was doing 'is +best to upset me to amuse them two pore objecks 'e 'ad brought with 'im. + +Capt'in Mellun is his name, and 'e was always a foolish, soft-'eaded sort +o' man, and how he 'as kept 'is job I can't think. He used to trade +between this wharf and Bristol on a little schooner called the _Firefly_, +and seeing wot a silly, foolish kind o' man he was, I took a little bit +o' notice of 'im. Many and many a time when 'e was going to do something +he'd ha' been sorry for arterwards I 'ave taken 'im round to the Bear's +Head and stood 'im pint arter pint until he began to see reason and own +up that I was in the right. + +His crew was a'most as bad as wot he was, and all in one month one o' the +'ands gave a man ten shillings for a di'mond ring he saw 'im pick up, wot +turned out to be worth fourpence, and another one gave five bob for a +meerschaum pipe made o' chalk. When I pointed out to 'em wot fools they +was they didn't like it, and a week arterwards, when the skipper gave a +man in a pub 'is watch and chain and two pounds to hold, to show 'is +confidence in 'im, and I told 'im exactly wot I thought of him, 'e didn't +like it. + +"You're too sharp, Bill," he says, sneering like. "My opinion is that +the pore man was run over. He told me 'e should only be away five +minutes. And he 'ad got an honest face: nice open blue eyes, and a smile +that done you good to look at." + +"You've been swindled," I ses, "and you know it. If I'd been done like +that I should never hold up my 'ead agin. Why, a child o' five would +know better. You and your crew all seem to be tarred with the same +brush. You ain't fit to be trusted out alone." + +I believe 'e told his 'ands wot I said; anyway, two bits o' coke missed +me by 'arf an inch next evening, and for some weeks not one of 'em spoke +a word to me. When they see me coming they just used to stand up +straight and twist their nose. + +It didn't 'urt me, o' course. I took no notice of 'em. Even when one of +'em fell over the broom I was sweeping with I took no notice of 'im. I +just went on with my work as if 'e wasn't there. + +I suppose they 'ad been in the sulks about a month, and I was sitting +'ere one evening getting my breath arter a couple o' hours' 'ard work, +when one of 'em, George Tebb by name, came off the ship and nodded to me +as he passed. + +"Evening, Bill," he ses. + +"Evening," I ses, rather stiff. + +"I wanted a word with you, Bill," he ses, in a low voice. "In fact, I +might go so far as to say I want to ask you to do me a favour." + +I looked at him so 'ard that he coughed and looked away. + +"We might talk about it over a 'arf-pint," he ses. + +"No, thank you," I ses. "I 'ad a 'arf-pint the day before yesterday, and +I'm not thirsty." + +He stood there fidgeting about for a bit, and then he puts his 'and on my +shoulder. + +"Well, come to the end of the jetty," he ses. "I've got something +private to say." + +I got up slow-like and followed 'im. I wasn't a bit curious. Not a bit. +But if a man asks for my 'elp I always give it. + +"It's like this," he ses, looking round careful, "only I don't want the +other chaps to hear because I don't want to be laughed at. Last week an +old uncle o' mine died and left me thirty pounds. It's just a week ago, +and I've already got through five of 'em, and besides that the number of +chaps that want to borrow ten bob for a couple o' days would surprise +you." + +"I ain't so easy surprised," I ses, shaking my 'ead. + +"It ain't safe with me," he ses; "and the favour I want you to do is to +take care of it for me. I know it'll go if I keep it. I've got it +locked up in this box. And if you keep the box I'll keep the key, and +when I want a bit I'll come and see you about it." + +He pulled a little box out of 'is pocket and rattled it in my ear. + +"There's five-and-twenty golden goblins in there," he ses. "If you take +charge of 'em they'll be all right. If you don't, I'm pretty certain I +sha'n't 'ave one of 'em in a week or two's time." + +At fust I said I wouldn't 'ave anything to do with it, but he begged so +'ard that I began to alter my mind. + +"You're as honest as daylight, Bill," he ses, very earnest. "I don't +know another man in the world I could trust with twenty-five quid-- +especially myself. Now, put it in your pocket and look arter it for me. +One of the quids in it is for you, for your trouble." + +He slipped the box in my coat-pocket, and then he said 'is mind was so +relieved that 'e felt like 'arf a pint. I was for going to the Bear's +Head, the place I generally go to, because it is next door to the wharf, +so to speak, but George wanted me to try the beer at another place he +knew of. + +"The wharf's all right," he ses. "There's one or two 'ands on the ship, +and they won't let anybody run away with it." + +From wot he said I thought the pub was quite close, but instead o' that I +should think we walked pretty nearly a mile afore we got there. Nice +snug place it was, and the beer was all right, although, as I told George +Tebb, it didn't seem to me any better than the stuff at the Bear's Head. + +He stood me two 'arf-pints and was just going to order another, when 'e +found 'e 'adn't got any money left, and he wouldn't hear of me paying for +it, because 'e said it was his treat. + +"We'll 'ave a quid out o' the box," he ses. "I must 'ave one to go on +with, anyway." I shook my 'ead at 'im. + +"Only one," he ses, "and that'll last me a fortnight. Besides, I want to +give you the quid I promised you." + +I gave way at last, and he put his 'and in 'is trouser-pocket for the +key, and then found it wasn't there. + +"I must ha' left it in my chest," he ses. "I'll 'op back and get it." +And afore I could prevent 'im he 'ad waved his 'and at me and gorn. + +My fust idea was to go arter 'im, but I knew I couldn't catch 'im, and if +I tried to meet 'im coming back I should most likely miss 'im through the +side streets. So I sat there with my pipe and waited. + +I suppose I 'ad been sitting down waiting for him for about ten minutes, +when a couple o' sailormen came into the bar and began to make themselves +a nuisance. Big fat chaps they was, and both of 'em more than 'arf +sprung. And arter calling for a pint apiece they began to take a little +notice of me. + +"Where d'you come from?" ses one of 'em. "'Ome," I ses, very quiet. + +"It's a good place--'ome," ses the chap, shaking his 'ead. "Can you sing +"Ome, Sweet 'Ome'? You seem to 'ave got wot I might call a 'singing +face.'" + +"Never mind about my face," I ses, very sharp. "You mind wot you're +doing with that beer. You'll 'ave it over in a minute." + +The words was 'ardly out of my mouth afore 'e gave a lurch and spilt his +pint all over me. From 'ead to foot I was dripping with beer, and I was +in such a temper I wonder I didn't murder 'im; but afore I could move +they both pulled out their pocket-'ankerchers and started to rub me down. + +"That'll do," I ses at last, arter they 'ad walked round me 'arf-a-dozen +times and patted me all over to see if I was dry. "You get off while +you're safe." + +"It was my mistake, mate," ses the chap who 'ad spilt the beer. + +"You get outside," I ses. "Go on, both of you, afore I put you out." + +They gave one look at me, standing there with my fists clenched, and then +they went out like lambs, and I 'eard 'em trot round the corner as though +they was afraid I was following. I felt a little bit damp and chilly, +but beer is like sea-water--you don't catch cold through it--and I sat +down agin to wait for George Tebb. + +He came in smiling and out 'o breath in about ten minutes' time, with the +key in 'is 'and, and as soon as I told 'im wot had 'appened to me with +the beer he turned to the landlord and ordered me six o' rum 'ot at once. + +"Drink that up," he ses, 'anding it to me; "but fust of all give me the +box, so as I can pay for it." + +I put my 'and in my pocket. Then I put it in the other one, and arter +that I stood staring at George Tebb and shaking all over. + +"Wot's the matter? Wot are you looking like that for?" he ses. + +"It must ha' been them two," I ses, choking. "While they was purtending +to dry me and patting me all over they must 'ave taken it out of my +pocket." + +"Wot are you talking about?" ses George, staring at me. + +"The box 'as gorn," I ses, putting down the 'ot rum and feeling in my +trouser-pocket. "The box 'as gorn, and them two must 'ave taken it." + +"Gorn!" ses George. "Gorn! My box with twenty-five pounds in, wot I +trusted you with, gorn? Wot are you talking about? It can't be--it's +too crool!" + +He made such a noise that the landlord wot was waiting for 'is money, +asked 'im wot he meant by it, and, arter he 'ad explained, I'm blest if +the landlord didn't advise him to search me. I stood still and let +George go through my pockets, and then I told 'im I 'ad done with 'im and +I never wanted to see 'im agin as long as I lived. + +"I dare say," ses George, "I dare say. But you'll come along with me to +the wharf and see the skipper. I'm not going to lose five-and-twenty +quid through your carelessness." + +I marched along in front of 'im with my 'ead in the air, and when he +spoke to me I didn't answer him. He went aboard the ship when we got to +the wharf, and a minute or two arterwards 'e came to the side and said +the skipper wanted to see me. + +The airs the skipper gave 'imself was sickening. He sat down there in +'is miserable little rat-'ole of a cabin and acted as if 'e was a judge +and I was a prisoner. Most of the 'ands 'ad squeezed in there too, and +the things they advised George to do to me was remarkable. + +"Silence!" ses the skipper. "Now, watchman, tell me exactly 'ow this +thing 'appened." + +"I've told you once," I ses. + +"I know," ses the skipper, "but I want you to tell me again to see if you +contradict yourself. I can't understand 'ow such a clever man as you +could be done so easy." + +I thought I should ha' bust, but I kept my face wonderful. I just asked +'im wot the men was like that got off with 'is watch and chain and two +pounds, in case they might be the same. + +"That's different," he ses. + +"Oh!" ses I. "'Ow?" + +"I lost my own property," he ses, "but you lost George's, and 'ow a man +like you, that's so much sharper and cleverer than other people, could be +had so easy, I can't think. Why, a child of five would ha' known +better." + +"A baby in arms would ha' known better," ses the man wot 'ad bought the +di'mond ring. "'Ow could you 'ave been so silly, Bill? At your time o' +life, too!" + +"That's neither 'ere nor there," ses the skip-per. "The watchman has +lost twenty-five quid belonging to one o' my men. The question is, wot +is he going to do about it?" + +"Nothing," I ses. "I didn't ask 'im to let me mind the box. He done it +of 'is own free will. It's got nothing to do with me." + +"Oh, hasn't it?" ses the skipper, drawing 'imself up. "I don't want to +be too 'ard on you, but at the same time I can't let my man suffer. I'll +make it as easy as I can, and I order you to pay 'im five shillings a +week till the twenty-five pounds is cleared off." + +I laughed; I couldn't 'elp it. I just stood there and laughed at 'im. + +"If you don't," ses the skipper, "then I shall lay the facts of the case +afore the guv'nor. Whether he'll object to you being in a pub a mile +away, taking care of a box of gold while you was supposed to be taking +care of the wharf, is his bisness. My bisness is to see that my man 'as +'is rights." + +"'Ear, 'ear !" ses the crew. + +"You please yourself, watchman," ses the skipper. "You're such a clever +man that no doubt you could get a better job to-morrow. There must be +'eaps of people wanting a man like you. It's for you to decide. That's +all I've got to say--five bob a week till pore George 'as got 'is money +back, or else I put the case afore the guv'nor. Wot did you say?" + +I said it agin, and, as 'e didn't seem to understand, I said it once +more. + +"Please yourself," 'e ses, when I 'ad finished. "You're an old man, and +five bob a week can't be much loss to you. You've got nothing to spend +it on, at your time o' life. And you've got a very soft job 'ere. Wot?" + +I didn't answer 'im. I just turned round, and, arter giving a man wot +stood in my way a punch in the chest, I got up on deck and on to the +wharf, and said my little say all alone to myself, behind the crane. + +I paid the fust five bob to George Tebb the next time the ship was up, +and arter biting 'em over and over agin and then ringing 'em on the +deck 'e took the other chaps round to the Bear's Head. + +"P'r'aps it's just as well it's 'appened," he ses. "Five bob a week for +nearly two years ain't to be sneezed at. It's slow, but it's sure." + +I thought 'e was joking at fust, but arter working it out in the office +with a bit o' pencil and paper I thought I should ha' gorn crazy. And +when I complained about the time to George 'e said I could make it +shorter if I liked by paying ten bob a week, but 'e thought the steady +five bob a week was best for both of us. + +I got to 'ate the sight of 'im. Every week regular as clockwork he used +to come round to me with his 'and out, and then go and treat 'is mates to +beer with my money. If the ship came up in the day-time, at six o'clock +in the evening he'd be at the wharf gate waiting for me; and if it came +up at night she was no sooner made fast than 'e was over the side patting +my trouser-pocket and saying wot a good job it was for both of us that I +was in steady employment. + +Week arter week and month arter month I went on paying. I a'most forgot +the taste o' beer, and if I could manage to get a screw o' baccy a week I +thought myself lucky. And at last, just as I thought I couldn't stand it +any longer, the end came. + +I 'ad just given George 'is week's money--and 'ow I got it together that +week I don't know--when one o' the chaps came up and said the skipper +wanted to see me on board at once. + +"Tell 'im if he wants to see me I'm to be found on the wharf," I ses, +very sharp. + +"He wants to see you about George's money," ses the chap. "I should go +if I was you. My opinion is he wants to do you a good turn." + +I 'ung fire for a bit, and then, arter sweeping up for a little while +deliberate-like, I put down my broom and stepped aboard to see the +skipper, wot was sitting on the cabin skylight purtending to read a +newspaper. + +He put it down when 'e see me, and George and the others, wot 'ad been +standing in a little bunch for'ard, came aft and stood looking on. + +"I wanted to see you about this money, watchman," ses the skipper, +putting on 'is beastly frills agin. "O' course, we all feel that to a +pore man like you it's a bit of a strain, and, as George ses, arter all +you have been more foolish than wicked." + +"Much more," ses George. + +"I find that you 'ave now paid five bob a week for nineteen weeks," ses +the skipper, "and George 'as been kind enough and generous enough to let +you off the rest. There's no need for you to look bashful, George; it's +a credit to you." + +I could 'ardly believe my ears. George stood there grinning like a stuck +fool, and two o' the chaps was on their best behaviour with their 'ands +over their mouths and their eyes sticking out. + +"That's all, watchman," ses the skipper; "and I 'ope it'll be a lesson to +you not to neglect your dooty by going into public-'ouses and taking +charge of other people's money when you ain't fit for it." + +"I sha'n't try to do anybody else a kindness agin, if that's wot you +mean," I ses, looking at 'im. + +"No, you'd better not," he ses. "This partickler bit o' kindness 'as +cost you four pounds fifteen, and that's a curious thing when you come to +think of it. Very curious." + +"Wot d'ye mean?" I ses. + +"Why," he ses, grinning like a madman, "it's just wot we lost between us. +I lost a watch and chain worth two pounds, and another couple o' pounds +besides; Joe lost ten shillings over 'is di'mond ring; and Charlie lost +five bob over a pipe. 'That's four pounds fifteen--just the same as +you." + +Them silly fools stood there choking and sobbing and patting each other +on the back as though they'd never leave off, and all of a sudden I 'ad a +'orrible suspicion that I 'ad been done. + +"Did you see the sovereigns in the box?" I ses, turning to the skipper. + +"No," he ses, shaking his 'ead. + +"'Ow do you know they was there, then?" ses I. + +"Because you took charge of 'em," said the skipper; "and I know wot a +clever, sharp chap you are. It stands to reason that you wouldn't be +responsible for a box like that unless you saw inside of it. Why, a +child o' five wouldn't!" + +I stood there looking at 'im, but he couldn't meet my eye. None of 'em +could; and arter waiting there for a minute or two to give 'em a chance, +I turned my back on 'em and went off to my dooty. + + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Paying Off, by W.W. 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