The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1869-01-24

| "At two, you say, papa?n
cat two, my daughter" and then the major too
sat down to bis coffee, and talked offhandeiy,
while In reality only thinking Of the Ralcyon.
CHAPTER THIRD.
"Msrsbles q Weir" said a musty sign, dis.
played over the doorway of q shipping Office on
| the street which ran along the water side of G..
| Water street it would have been called of course
anywhere else, but in this particular town it went
| by the name OF Lighthouse street, for the reason
| that from old times, when c. was an aspiring
| village, this road, now busy street, had been
fanked at either end by light, which many
mariner, far out from shore, had blessed on stormy
winter nights
Everybody knew where MARBLES & Weir's
| place was on Lighthouse street. Everybody
knew that they had ships sailing TO or coming
from dozen ports, in many different coun-
tries. "Old man Marbles" as every one called
him, had once been merchant captain himself,
but, years before, tired of the sea, had turned
over the command of bis ship, the Good Hope,
to his son, and taken himself to little Office upon
the site OF tie present one, where with advancing
time came new gains and new ships, until he had
taken in his son.in-law, Harry Weir. as a partner
who Ia reality managed the business, and put up
that now musty sign, Marables q Weir" Their
Office was dingy old fashioned place, parttioned
of with glass from the rest of The establishment,
where oakum, cables, chains pulleys and anchors
were stTewn about and where a strong odor of
tar was invariably prevalent OF all these outer
half dozen voyages with the captain, before
losing his leg in slipping the anchor one day. had
charge. Within the ancient and sacred precincts
of the Office itself, with it's old fashioned furniture
and clock were the partners and the book keep er,
guarded from needless intrusion by pacard upon
the door, informing outsiders that only business
would be tolerated as reason for admittance.
On this particular morning the Office appeared
to be the scene of no unusual activity. The cap
tain had his glasses on and was seated by the
door, carefully reading the newspaper. The
bookkeeper, an old, sallow.lOoking fellow, with
long hair, and countenance which seemed to say
Oh, how I'd enjoy fortnight in the country"
sat by the window, biting the end of his penhandle
and vacsnty gazing out upon the water. Harry
Weir had just gone out on business; he was active
and talkative enough and, it may in fact be said,
was the life and soul of the establishment, for the
captain had come 10 be crusty and fearfully pro.
fame wiihal his old age, and the poor bookkeeper
with large family 10 eat his salary up in bread
and butter, had no time TO laugh and be merry.
"Theres the Widgeon," said he, suddenly break.
ing the silence, "just coming to anchor in the
stream"
"what?p said MARBLES gruffly. He had a
kind heart, but, like a good many with kind
hearts. a strange way OF showing the fact.
You were asking about the Widgeon, q while
ago." replied the bookkeeper mildly. She ia
here. and I see Nalley coming ashore in the
boat"
The old man, without replying, folded his paper
and went to the window. "Ah u said he, hav.
hear something. Go on the wharf, Simmons, and
ask him to step over here when he lands"
The dyspeptic bookkeeper seized his hat, and,
darling for the door to obey the direction, almost
ran into somebody just entering. 1t was the
major.
Is Mr.. Marables in the Office " be inquired.
That is Cspt Marables, sir }" said the book
keeper resumiDg bis errand.
Mejor LoriDg bowed. 81 have come for infor.
nation in regard TO the brig Halcyon, which learn
is consigned TO you" he said.
The captain pointed to q sailor looking man.
with rough beard and short legs, who was Just
cross1ugsthe street toward the Office. Here
comes pilot, just up from below, who can tell
Us all about il, b" said he.
The major turned his eyes in the direction
named and saw the two as they entered the Office
"Well. Csp'n," said the newly arrived, seating |
himself.
"Nalley. what about the Halcyon. Any signs
of her yeti" asked Marables.
There was brig in the ofing last night at
sundOwn, but she can't get in until the wind |
changes. think it's your brig"
"Unph " said Msrables looking at the major, |
who; with hands folded behind him, was listening
to the conversation. "And what do you think |
about the wind changing. Nalley?"
'Well, it's my opinion we shall have il from the |
south before the tide turns tonight. IL that case
the brig will be in by tomorrow noon. I'm going |
down again early in the morning to meet-Why, |
bless my stars, Capt Loring, is that you, sir 20
and the sturdy salt doed his hat which up to that
time had shaded his eyebrows aud face, and ris-
ing, saluted the major most respectfully. Why, |
Capt. Marsbles," ne continued, turning to the |
old merchant, who was rubbing his glasses pre-
paratory to more extended survey of his visitor,
=" Why, when was in the marines, Capt. Loring |
Yves my commander, and q more gallant officer,
though say il to his face, never wore uniform"
al am glad to meet you again. Nsley." said the
msjor, extending his hand. "and how long have
you been ont Of the servicei ?"
-Four years or so, captain. You see twas too
lazy life for me hslf-salor, halfs Jlder yet not
bit Of either, as twere. Nothing to do bat eat
and sleeps laughed at by the Jacks when at sea,
and envled by the infantry when ashore, got
heartily tired of the marine corps, and after serv-
ing two enstments. left with five hundred dollars
saved up in my pocket. am now the master of
that pilot boat yonder. The Widgeon, ! call her.
But. captain, you've grown old-like since saw
you last. / remember well when you left Us at
the Brooklyn Navy Yard; when you were ordered
on On foreign service, mean how the boys
cheered you, and that little speech you made us
all. There wasn't dry eye in the company that
time. II does my heart good to see you again"
Those were happy days that you recall, Nal
ley" said the major. "but fear that am tres
passing upon the time and good nature Of these
gentlemen. l will therefore briefly state the OBJ
Ject OF my visit. / arrived here this morning, |
Capt. Marables, with my daughter, for the pur-
pose of attending the races. She has been in poor
spirits of late, and / thought that the change
would do her good. By to days paper, however,
learn that your brig the Hslcyon, brings as pas
sepgers three survivors ola vessel lost IN the !