When Corkey sneezes, sailors are moved to treat to the drinks. They
mark it as an event. A sailor will treat you because it is Christmas,
or because Corkey has sneezed.

Greatness consists in doing one thing better or worse than any one else
can do it. Thus it is rare a man is so really great as Corkey.




CHAPTER IV

BAD NEWS ALL AROUND

With thousands of gamblers in good luck, and thousands of sailors in
port, why should not the saloons of the dock regions resound also with
politics--a politics of ultra-marine color--Corkey recooking and
warming the cold statesmanship of his newspaper, breaking the counter
with his fist, paying gorgeously for both drinks and glasses, smiling
when the sailors expel outside politicians and at last rocking the
building with his sneeze.

It is thus settled that Corkey shall go to Congress from Lockwin's
district. Because this is a sailor's matter it is difficult to handle
it from the adversary's side. The political boss first hears of it
through the information of a rival marine reporter on a democratic
sheet.

This is on Wednesday. The primaries are to be held on Friday. The