The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1882-11-25


there. looking around with unaccustomed
eyes, and half bswildered, one of the
sailors on the forocastle began to warble
sea song to lively tune, and this is
what he sung:
THE Bo's'N's NATE.
The Arkansaw, sloop ST war,
Was swaying in the stream;
Her lines of length showed grace and
strength,
And spacious was her beam.
A jolly boat was put ahoat,
Aud showed of from the shore
II bore mate, man OF weight,
Who piled plant oar.
Abo's'n's mate. bluff, tough, and straight,
Tim TOplift was his name;
Trim built and spry, fathom high,
From Kennebec he came.
He stood absft, and sculled his craft,
Adown the ebbing tide;
The bell struck three when Timothee
Went up the good ships side.
Here the tuneful mariner stopped. and
said, MATES. there's lot more verses in
this ditty, and I'll give you some moIe
when the next landlubber comes aboard -
winking in the direction of Samuel.
Amid the roar of laughter which fol.
lowed this lively sally, the youug man
walked aft to the quarterback. A good
looking man, of middle age, clad in spot.
less white linen, adorned with gilt but
tons, ETC., was pacing the starbeard side
of the deck. To him Sharp abruptly
said:
care you the captain of this schooner"
Yes; what then?" was the curt reply.
Then I mast see your manifest"
"My what?" roared the man in white.
Your manifest. 1t is the duty of every
ship-master TO take his manifest ashore to
the custom house as soon as he comes to
anchor. AS you have not done this duty,
sir, it becomes mine, as an inspector of
the customs, to demand it." rcj0ined
Samuel, with authority in his voice and
dignity in his bearing.
Tho commanders face grew purple
with rage and he shouted: You miser-
able specimen Of backwoods ignorance
you clear your elodhoppers! leave this
vessel and be in a hurry in your going"
Sharp turned plle at this ou;burst, bat
be mustered enough courage TO retort,
aN~ -, l. 4 q, L T.
"Get out, you idiot, or I'll have you
pitched ovei beard" cried the captain,
with a menach G gesture. The inspect
or made rapid retreat, jumped into his
boat, cast of the painter and ToTed has
tily to the shore. boiling over with rage.
Proceeding to the custom house, he
learned that Collector Keen, having fin
ished his routine tor the day, had gone
out TO his country mansion, few miles
back of Old Haven. Il must see him to-
day, and have this schooner captain dealt
with according to law" thought Samuel.
SO thinking he hurried to livery stable,
selected a lively Lorso anda light buggy,
and drove out TO the collectors residence
as fast rs his meltlesome charger could
trot. Arriving there, he told his stor!
and aroused curiosity in the collector 10
an unusually high degree.
They hurried to town together, 10
Shnrp's hired buggy. aud drove down to
the end of Long Wharf
"Where is the suspicious craft2' qusr-
led tbe-skisf-
There sic is, Sir pointing ont tie
schooner.
Mr.. Keen looked at the vessel, and then
gazsd at Samuel for a while in speeches
amnzsmenL When he found breath q
speak, he said;
"What aag do you think that is, Mr.
Sharp"
II haven't the slightest notion. sir;
never saw it before in my life. H's
funny looking affair, with red and white
stripes running up and down the wrong
way, and that turkey buzzlrd up in the
blue oorneY looking as though he would
like 10 swallow some of the stars which
make ring around KIM" replied Sam
uel with AN stteiHpt at faeetiousness.
"Ana it is the master of that vessel who
refused to show you his manifest"
Yes, sir, and ia very iusolent man
neT, too"
The collector laughed outright "Mr.
Samuel Sharp, at present inspector Of
customs for the port of Old Haven" he
said "allow me to express my belief that
you are too sharp for your position. You
manifest more zysl than is called for.
You have made mistake Of magnituds,
young nah"