Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1877-10-13
tom BOWLINE's YARN.
Iew Ito RccsGRixca aa Old shipmate In
the Governor Of Massachusetts.

1
Mark Twain in the atlantic MonthIs
has the following: Now an ancien
whale'ship master fell to talking abou
the sort Of crews they used to have il
in his early days. Said he:
"Sometimes we'd have batch Of col
lege students. Queer lot. Ignorant
Why, they didn't know the cat.head from
the main.brace. But II you took then
for fools, you'd get bit sure. They'd
learn more in month than another man
would in year. We had one once, in
the Mary Ann, that came aboard with
gSl&a sPestaslss Ss sas Sa Sn And besides. he was
the nobbiest clothes that ever :'s"H saw ~ =
fo'castle. He had a chest full, too cloaks
and broadcloth coats, and valvet vests /.
everything to swell, you know /; and
didn't the salt water fix them out for
him? I guess not Well, going to sea,
the mate told him to go aloft and help
shake out the fore-to'gallantsl. Up he
shins to the foretop, with his spectacles
on, and in minute down he comes
again, looking insulted. Says the mate /:
What did you come down for P P'raps
you didn't notice that there amt any
ladder above there You see we hadn't t
any shrouds above the foretop. The men
burst out in laugh such as I guess you
never heard the like Of. Next night,
which was dark and rainy, the mate
ordered this chap to go aloft about some-
thing, and I'm dummed if he didn't start
up with an umbrella and lantern But
no matter, he made mighty good sailor
before the voyage was done, and We had
to hunt up something else to laugh at.
Years afterward, when had forgot all
about him, comes into Boston mate of
ship, and was loafing around town with
the second mate, and it so happened that
we stepped into the Revere House,
thinking may be we would chance the
salt.horse in that big dining-room
for a flyer, as the boys say. Some fell
lows were talking just at our elbow, and
one says: 'Yonder's the new governor
of Massachusetts-at the table over
there, with the ladies' We took good
look, my mate and I, for we hadn't either
of us ever seen a governor before. l
looked and looked at that face, and then
all Of sudden it popped on me /! But 1
didn't give any sign. Says I, Mate,
I've notion to go over and shake hands
with him. Says he, Il think I see
you doing it, Tom Says I, Mate, I'm
a-going to do it. Says he, 'Oh, yes, I
guess SO May be You don't want to bet
you will, Tom? Says I, 4 don't mind
ce:~- " ~. ;+, '""tA " Gays hn. 'Pnt
it up up she goes says I, planking
the cash. This surprised him. But he
covered it, and says pretty sarcastic,
Hadn't you better take your grub with
the governor and the ladies, Tom P Says
I, Upon second thought I will Says
he, well, Tom, you are fool. Says
I, May be am, may be I amt, but the
main question is, do you want to risk two
and half that won't do it?' Make
it " says he. 'Done.' says I. I
started him giggling he felt so good.
went over there and leaned my knuck-
les on the table minute and looked the
governor in the face, and, says I, Mr..
don't you know me?' He
stared, and I stared, and he stared. Then
I'll Of sudden he sings out, tom Bowl
ne, by the holy poker? Ladies, It's
I'D Tom Bowline, that you've heard me
ak about--shipmate of mine in the
Mary Ann He rose up and shook hands
With me ever SO hearty-I sort Of glanced
round and took realizing sense of my
Mates saucer eyes-and then says the
governor, Plant yourself, Tom. plant
Yourself you can't cat your anchor
gain till you've had feed with me and
he ladies' Iplanted myself along side
he governor, and canted my eyes around
oward my mate. Well, sir, his dead
lights were bugged out like tompions
nd his mouth stood that wide open that
'ou could have laid ham in it without
lim noticing it,"
There was great applause at the con.
lusion of the old captains story; then,
fter moments silence, grave, pale
oung man said:
"Had you ever met the governor be-
ore?"
The old captain looked steadily at this
inquirer awhile, and then got up and
7alked aft without making any reply.
)ne passenger after another stole
urtive glance at the inquirer, but failed
D make him out, and 80 gave him up.
took some little work to get the talk
to running smoothly again
fter this arrangement.
A Japanese Image.