"  Yes ;  'ti»  cheapen  than  matches  in  the  longue  'un  *


232  DE.     SBVIE&.
ulja  have  discovered  that,  I  suppose,"  remarked
John.
"Me?  The  sun-glass?  No.  I  believe  Ahchiinidea
invend  that,  in  fact.  An'  yet,  out  of  ten  thousan'  who
use  the  sun-glass  only  a  few  can  account  'ow  Us  done.
'Ow  did  you  think  that  that's  my  invention,  Mistoo  Itch-
lin?  Did  you  know  that  I  am  something  of  a  chimist?
I  can  tu'n  litmus  papeh  'ed  by  juz  dipping  it  in  S08HO.
Yesseh."

44  Yes,"  said  Richling,  "  that's  one  thing  that  I  have
noticed,  that  you're  very  fertile  in  devices."

44  Yes,"  echoed  Mary,  44 1  noticed  that,  the  first  time
you  ever  came  to  see  us.  I  only  wish  Mr.  Richling  was
half  as  much  so."

She  beamed  upon  her  husband.  Narcisse  laughed  with
pure  pleasure.
44  Well,  I  am  compel'  to  say  you  ah  co'ect.  I  am  con
tinually  makin'  some  discove'ies.  4  Necessity's  the
motheh  of  inventions.'  Now  thass  anotheh  thing  I  'ave
notiz  —  about  that  month  of  Octobeh :  it  always  come
befo'  you  think  it's  comin'.  I  'ave  notiz  that  about  eve'y
month.  Now,  to-day  we  ah  the  twennieth  Octobeh  I  Is  it
not  so  ? "  He  lighted  his  cigarette.  "  Yen  ah  compel'  to
oo'obo'ate  me,"


LIGHTING    SHIP.  233


CHAPTER    XXX.
LIGHTING  SHIP.
"VT'ES,  the  tide  was  coming  in.  The  Richlinga'  bark
-L  was  still  on  the  sands,  but  every  now  and  then  a
wave  of  promise  glided  under  her.  She  might  float,  now,
any  day.  Meantime,  as  has  no  doubt  been  guessed,  she
was  held  on  an  even  keel  by  loans  from  the  Doctor.
"  Why  you  don't  advertise  in  papers?"  asked  Ris-
tofalo.
