The Monkey’s Paw by W.W. Jacobs

Produced by David Widger THE LADY OF THE BARGE AND OTHER STORIES By W. W. Jacobs THE MONKEY’S PAW I. Without, the night was cold and wet, but in the small parlour of Laburnam Villa the blinds were drawn and the fire burned brightly. Father and son were at chess, the former, who possessed ideas

The Money Box by W.W. Jacobs

Produced by David Widger ODD CRAFT BY W. W. JACOBS 1909 THE MONEY-BOX Sailormen are not good ‘ands at saving money as a rule, said the night-watchman, as he wistfully toyed with a bad shilling on his watch-chain, though to ‘ear ’em talk of saving when they’re at sea and there isn’t a pub within

The Madness of Mr. Lister by W.W. Jacobs

Produced by David Widger CAPTAINS ALL By W.W. Jacobs THE MADNESS OF MR. LISTER Old Jem Lister, of the _Susannah,_ was possessed of two devils–the love of strong drink and avarice–and the only thing the twain had in common was to get a drink without paying for it. When Mr. Lister paid for a drink,

The Convert by W.W. Jacobs

Produced by David Widger DEEP WATERS By W.W. JACOBS THE CONVERT Mr. Purnip took the arm of the new recruit and hung over him almost tenderly as they walked along; Mr. Billing, with a look of conscious virtue on his jolly face, listened with much satisfaction to his friend’s compliments. “It’s such an example,” said

The Constable’s Move by W.W. Jacobs

Produced by David Widger CAPTAINS ALL By W.W. Jacobs THE CONSTABLE’S MOVE Mr. Bob Grummit sat in the kitchen with his corduroy-clad legs stretched on the fender. His wife’s half-eaten dinner was getting cold on the table; Mr. Grummit, who was badly in need of cheering up, emptied her half-empty glass of beer and wiped

The Changing Numbers by W.W. Jacobs

Produced by David Widger ODD CRAFT By W.W. Jacobs THE CHANGING NUMBERS The tall clock in the corner of the small living-room had just struck eight as Mr. Samuel Gunnill came stealthily down the winding staircase and, opening the door at the foot, stepped with an appearance of great care and humility into the room.

Striking Hard by W.W. Jacobs

Produced by David Widger DEEP WATERS By W.W. JACOBS STRIKING HARD “You’ve what?” demanded Mrs. Porter, placing the hot iron carefully on its stand and turning a heated face on the head of the family. “Struck,” repeated Mr. Porter; “and the only wonder to me is we’ve stood it so long as we have. If

Stepping Backwards by W.W. Jacobs

Produced by David Widger NIGHT WATCHES by W.W. Jacobs STEPPING BACKWARDS “Wonderful improvement,” said Mr. Jack Mills. “Show ’em to me again.” Mr. Simpson took his pipe from his mouth and, parting his lips, revealed his new teeth. “And you talk better,” said Mr. Mills, taking his glass from the counter and emptying it; “you

Shareholders by W.W. Jacobs

Produced by David Widger DEEP WATERS By W.W. JACOBS SHAREHOLDERS Sailor man–said the night-watchman, musingly–a sailorman is like a fish he is safest when ‘e is at sea. When a fish comes ashore it is in for trouble, and so is sailorman. One poor chap I knew ‘ardly ever came ashore without getting married; and

Sam’s Ghost by W.W. Jacobs

Produced by David Widger DEEP WATERS By W.W. JACOBS SAM’S GHOST Yes, I know, said the night-watchman, thoughtfully, as he sat with a cold pipe in his mouth gazing across the river. I’ve ‘eard it afore. People tell me they don’t believe in ghosts and make a laugh of ’em, and all I say is:

Paying Off by W.W. Jacobs

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

Over The Side by W.W. Jacobs

Produced by David Widger CAPTAINS ALL By W.W. Jacobs OVER THE SIDE Of all classes of men, those who follow the sea are probably the most prone to superstition. Afloat upon the black waste of waters, at the mercy of wind and sea, with vast depths and strange creatures below them, a belief in the