The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1879-10-10


while the man at the after oar. having
shipped it in a twinkling, sprang from
the boat, and in another moment wa.
standing by my side.
What's UP, Goy'ner - inquired the
boatman.
I want you to put me iacfoss at
Mapping Stairs, - | replied. How
much do you ask foI the Job -
''WeU. yer honor responded the
man, ''our regular charge is a shilling in
the day time but on night like thi.
l should think yer honor wouldn't
grumble at a h2lf-crOwn.' -
All right, l replied; 'only land
me safe at Wrapping, and you shall have
half a crown apiece. And if you treat
me on the square, understand, I don't
mind standing a drop of something to
dIink into the bargain -
4 knoWed yer honor were a gentle
man, " replied the man, jumping into
5he boat and directing me to take my
place in the stern-sheets.
Casting off, the poor fellows bent
. brayely TO their oars. and, after a quar-
ter of an hours hard tugging, against
wind and tide l was safely landed at
Wrapping, but almost deSI with cold
from the cutting blasts on the river
i promised you a drop of something
to drink, = | said, addressing myself to
the men as they were securing the boat
is there any place open about here
where refreshments can be had -
We'll, yer honor" replied one of the
men, There is place we knows on-a
place a little ways above, upon the
bank but it amt exactly the place
' where a gentleman like yer honor would
like to trust yourself at this time O.
night It's tavern Tesorted to by all
sorts Of river men. good. bad and indif-
ferent but if you don't stand on tTifies
and viii place yourself under our pro-
lection, well both see that no harm will
come to yer honor"
LEAD the way, = 1 replied, well salts
fed with any prospect of shelter and re-
freshment. BY this time I was 50 near
ly exhausted that l gladly took prof
fered arm from each man as we slowly
made our way to the street above the
landing. when, turning to the right, we
soon arrived in front of a low public
house. rejoicing III the title of The
Three CAPTAINS. = \ dim gaSlight from
q tOppliug lamp, which seemed fast
breaking down with late hours and dis
sipation. winked Ominously at the pOr-
trait of the three mariners over the
doorway. as much as to say: ''Al the
fools in London amt abed yet
One of the b0aJmeu gave a peculiar
zap aJ the door. and, after a short inter
val, it was partly opened, and held in
that position by stodt chap on the IN
side. After a short consultation with
the party within we were admitted. and
could not help remaTking 20 myself that
the admonitCry description of my friend
the bOatmau was more than justified by
the general appearance of the place.
Rude. rough and Misunderstanding
meu-aIl more or less iutOXicated-sat
at the various tables with which the
APARTMENT was provided drinking and
smoking. But. though evidently eX-
cited from their potatiOnS, their cOnveT-
satiOn was carried on in a suppressed
tone, and with subdued earneStness
which gave evidence of a certain con-
troll and restraint not generally seen
amid such dissipated surroundings.
Behind a low contracted bar on the
right hand as we entered sat the land
lady Of the establishment. She was
rather fine looking woman. and ap-
peared. Es She sat reading the evening
pauer. The very embodiment of fat.
fair and forty.
Now. young gentlemen, what can /
do for YOU Z" said the lady, rising as we
entered.
I'm the first place, madam 1 re-
turned. If YOU viii be kind enough TO
admit Inc beside your fire behind the
bar I'd De lastingly obliged TO YOU, for
the truth is I am almost famished with
the cold. And then, as soon as cOnye-
njent. bring me a tumbier Of brandy
and-water as hot and strong as you can
make it,.
The good-uatured hostess cheerfully
acceded to my request, and after paying
the bOatman and ordering the landiady
to furnish them with anything in the
way OF refreshments they might desire,
was soon seated by the coy fire behind
the tap.
Ny entrance among the rude crowd
seemed to command general attention
for there seemed to he 4 temporary lUll
ia the conversation as soon as | came
in. and ] could not help observing that
my intrusion was the subject Of specu-
lation and remark.
..You mustn't mind these fellows.
said the landlady, placing before me a
hot punch. strong enough to make my
ham curl. .'They are a bad lot, some of
'em but as long as you choose to re-
main here I warrant you you'll be as
safe as if YOU were in your own house.
4 slight alteration between two
drunken barge men in the tap room at
tracing her attention at that moment.
she rushed out and soon brought the
belligerents to terms.
Il tell you what it is, Tom Harding,
+ she said. ''if you think to make beer
garden of the The Three Captains you
are very much mistaken" a." addressing
| herself to a dark, towering TutiIan.
And vOu. Dick Stokes, . see continued,
turning to his antagonist, Il tell you,
too. III have no such gOingS-On here.
It's time YOU were both at home and
abeG. anyway so away with you-you
don't either ot YOU z ct another drop in
this house tonight. >
knowing that remonstrance would
be i'm vain they allowed themselves to
be led out by the pot boy and, baTmO-
nv being restored, the landlady return
ed to her sanctum behind the bar.
During the alteration which l have
lust described. rough. drunken looking
scamp with a patch over one eye and &
huge pair of black whiskers happened tC
attract my attention. His broad hat
was slouched over his face. a short biacl
pipe was stuck in ms mouth. and hi.
legs were stretched at full length undel
the table Up to that time / thought b,
was quietly indulging in drunken
sleep; but [ was greatly surprised TO lie
tect him in the act of taking notes in
small p0cketbOOk, which every now am,
then he drew from the pocket of hi
rough peaiacket, quickly returning /
again as the chance presented ltSel
without attracting observation. | a
once came to the conclusion that he wa
some detective officer in disguise work
ing up case or '-spotting'' some O
e,e oh