Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1866-04-12
5GleftG(l Gale,
THE GOOD SHIP SHOOTING STAR.

Captain Ritson, allow me to introduce
1you Mr.. Pennant, your new purser. Mr..
Pnnant, pray take a chair, while | have
little talk ON brsiness with Captain Rit-
SON"
Nr. Blizzard, of the firm of David and
Blizzard, y Limehouse Street, Liverpool,
continued
Captain Rtson, we want to make the
first trip Of the Shoot Star an auspicious
trlp we want to have our vessel the first
mo Quebec this year. We save the dues;
tor they always return the dues to the first
vessel that arrives from England but it
is not so much for the sake Of the value of
the dues as the eciat Of the thing. Our
trade with Canada is large, and we want
to get our name up. We do not, of course.
want you to run any danger. No, that is
by 10 means the wish of the firm !; but we
wish yuu to skirt the ice. and run in on
tue very first opening. You will get off
Labrador Just III time for the frost to have
thawed, and, with care, there need be no
risk whatever"
Mr. Blizzard said all this leaning againt
Ills rallied desk, and nestled in among the
files OF invoices and bills of lading. He
was 4 hearty, fresh-colored, pOrtly man,
very neat in ms dress, and remarkable for
white wai tcoat at seemed as hard
and stainless as enamel He played with
MS watcu-chaIn as he spoke, and eyed the
captain, the purser, and the first mate, who
st III sn uncomfortable half-circle. With
Iis veil-p0lisAed boots planted on the i'm
moyab je rock OF q large capital, Mr.. Biz
zarl seemed to look boldly seaward met
auhoricalv. and consider wrecks and such
casualties as ,ucre well-devised fictions.
Captain Ritson vas a big Aorth-country-
nan, with a broad acreage OF chest, clear
gray eyes and large, red hands,-a sturdy,
honest, selcrrl,ant man. without a fear in
lUn world. The mate, Mr.. Gardcw, by no
means 50 pleasant to look on, being little
spare thin-legged, cadaverous person, with
y-ilowsh eyes, sat in sullen subservlency
I'd the very edge of his chair just behind
tie captain The purser, a brisk, CHEEKY,
stout young fellow, sat deprecatingly as
he thought he ought to Stand) a triie
arther back still.
Right it is. Mister Blizzard" said the
caPan, buttoning his pilot-coat across his
chest, as if preparing for an immediate
gale, md about to order everything to be
attteurd down Right il is, and a better
vessel than the Shooting Star | don't hope
20 aee She's sound, Mr.. Blizzard, | do be
leye, from main truck TO keel, sound, II l
may Use the expression, as plous mans
Conscience. The only thing that weXes
ne. howsomeyer is that, having been sent
for to my native place, down Allonby way,
"a very sad business" theTe the captain
aeId up sorrowfully an enormous hat COW
er d with black crape,) 81 couldn't see to
lie adiHg Of this ere vessel as | generally
likes to do with vessels | am called upon
70 command"
That is of no consequence at all, Cap
tain Ritston," said Mr. Blizzard, pouring
ont three glasses Of sherry all III a row
from a decantcr on an inky mantel-piece
near him 81 have been away at Manches
ter, and my partner, Mr.. David, has been
very i'll with touch of pleurisy, but oul
Inst mate here, Mr. Cardew, has seen to II
all"
The mate nodded assent.
lhe cargo is-W
Agricultural implements, machinery
and cloth goods"
Mr.. Blizzard referred to a ledger for this
.aiormation, as he spoke, as if he scarcely
hnew IN his multiplicity of business, wheth
er the Shooting Star might not be ladel
with irankincensc, pearls, gold-dust, anC
Noilparrots-but he would see
Having ascertained the fact, Mr. Biz
Iard carefully replaced the ledger, and
lnrnng his back on his company, poke'
lAe fire, and consulted large sheet alma
nae over the mantel-piece, as a sign thu
iltervlc was over
We sail tomorrow morning, Sunday