The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1875-08-27
A PERILOUS COMPACT.

"Tou say, Captain jackson, that you
have received written instructions from
your owners by the last mail ?"
"Yes, sir, very particular and specific or
ders regarding the cargo wanted for the
good ship Exporter
If I understand you Alright, the best
quality Of silk and the finest grade of teas
only, are wanted 2"
EXACTLY, Mr.. Failing. But why do you
ask7 Are you unable to load the ship
with the required quality and grade OF
goods ~
Wen see in good time, Jackson. But,
1 say, have you any objection to my
glaucing over your written instructions ~
Certainly not; and if you are to furnish
the cargo, / think it advisable for you to
thoroughly understand what is wanted and
what am allowed TO receive"
The keen, gray eyes of Mr.. Failing were
fastened intenty upon the weatherbeaten
countenance Of the seaman for a moment,
and then in soft, insnuatng tone, he
added:
"If you Will give me boat, Jackson, I
will send my China boy ashore for a case
of dry Monopole. The weather is warm,
and iced champagne will not be disagreea-
ble, eh ~
"By no means; but it is luxury we
poor sailors seldom have the opportunity of
tasting" replied the captain, with a sigh, as
he though Of his far-oI wife and two little
babies.
The champagne was soon sparkling in
the slender glasses, and the merchant
pledged the sailor and his noble ship in a
bTimming bumper.
The Exporter was fine clipper engaged
in the China trade, or ed by an opulent firm
who counted their dp'lars by millions. The
ship was commanded by Captain jackson,
an experienced shipmaster, but who had
been compelled to accept the grinding terms
of the parsimonious owners of the Ex-
porter.
Captain jackson had been unfortunate,
and at the time he applied to the firm for
employment he was in debt, with wife
and family looking TO hln for support
He was not in a con stion to dictate terms,
but ventured to demonstrate feebly at the
inadequate salary offered for the amount of
property and responsibility he was expect
ed to control and look after.
ave can get plenty of shipmasters for
eighty dollars per MONTH" was the cold
harsh reply. ~We do no not ask you to
accept it. You come to us; if you demur
another shall take your place"
And with a heavy heart the poor fellow
signed the articles, while the pale, suffering
face of his wife rose up before him.
The Exporter was lying off Shanghai
waiting for the valuable and special cargo
which had been ordered by mail.
The merchant, Mr. Failing, was on board,
and as has already been narrated, was taxi
ing his comfort in the wide spacious cabin
of the vessel.
Glass after glass of champagne had been
quaffed, the fragrant perfume of choice
cigars filed the cabin, and poor jackson as
the generous vintage mounted to his
brain, for a time forgot his troubles.
The letter lay ON the table before Fail
ing, who, with his heels perched on pro-
iecting cornice of the cabin, smoked in
silence. while jackson with volubility en-
entirely unnatural to him. poured into the
ears of Failing the entire story of his
wrongs.
"You are not half paid that is certain,
I Jackson, and there is but little chance to
make a dollar out of the main hatch. To
I be sure you can do a little something with
the stevedore, ship chandler, etc; but after
all what does it amount to 7 came out
here to make fortune Jackson; honestly if
4 L can, and thus far have no reason to COM
I plain. But you are situated differently.
You have no opportunities, your life is
passing away, the greater portion of it is
spent in buGeting the elements at eighty
dollars per month-for what that your
owners may reap hundreds of thousands of
dollars from your talents. Is that honest
is it right or just2 No. And how will il
end You are past the meridian of life
and you say you are 'astern of the lighter.
Now / shall speak plain, Jack son, too plain