The Republican journal., 1883-03-15

ICN etlu SOLICh Ittt NV Ci AOul,
for example, is called "black diamonds";
hard-pine Georgia mahogany" sugar
and molasses come under the general
head of ''sweet'ning' cargo of rags is
called cold clothes; While salt is de-
nominated as Turks Island sugar
The English lines of ocean steamers
that make Portland their winter port
have their own special pilot and steve
dores, Other large steamers with ear
goes frequently come here, however, and
the lucky man who gets one to pilot in
usually discharges her, and is sure of pi-
loting her to sea again. The real cream
OF the business Is to capture a man-of
war, which with her great draft, and
double pilOtage at Government rates is
prize much coveted; and when it is
known that one Of Uncle Sans ships is
about to pay the port visit, every pilot
is on the qlU rire until some one secures
her
Occasionally fresh" man tries his
luck at the business. If he comes regu-
larly accredited to some well known ship
ping firm, he is duly recognized as Il le-
gitimate stevedore, but his lack OF eXpe-
rience is taken advantage of 10y his asso-
Nlfl itS, anu ut ID u ChCtl Ny lIltll u lut
last degree of forbearance 1t is safe to
say, that for a long time his chance is not
nearly SO good as that OF his fellows for
drawing prizes in the steyedore and pilot
lottery.
If, however, rs is sometimes the case,
some misguided wight enters the lists
as free lance-on his own hook-then
look out for fun ahead. He is not
only coolly ignored socially 10y the pro
tessionalS, but he is also denied all the
customs and cOurtesies of the service
If he is a plucky fellow, when he sees a
drawing OF lots going on from which he
has been excluded, he quickly launches
his boat. and bends to his oars with all
the strength and skill he is capable OF.
Then enSues a race between him and the
man who holds the title to the approach
ing game, exciting to witness. Perhaps
they will both gain the vessels deck at
the same moment, and then, if the ser
vices Of pilot or stevedore is needed. the
contest is renewed in a w0rdy dispute.
which the captain usually settles by en-
gaging the regular whose true character
is revealed to him by the discussion
Does the discounted man return to the
lCi1tltL Jus 4NOl Dt pul II lllt Ntillltl
is propitious he grasps his oars, turns the
bow OF bis boat scaward, and pulls leis-
urely away in the track Of inbound yes
sells. This manWuvre is observed by
those on shore, who through their marine
glasses, see everything tranSpiring. one
Of the number is now detailed to 90 out
and worry the tramp" who finding him
self but one against 50 many, the latter
taking turns in the worrying game. soon
gives up the contest exhausted and dis
couraged, and returns home, never again
to try stevedoring as free lance
Practical Joking is ever ripe among
seataIing men, and the subjects Of this
sketch are no exceptions to the rule.
Iach man carries pail or box. contain
ing sufficient food for a two or three days
absence, and at some stage of the eating
thereof, it used to be a common thing to
witness a sudden shedding Of tears, and
gasping for breath, owing to a doughnut
or turnover, having been slyy charged
with red pepper. one may tantalize his
fellows by frequently exhibiting to them
particularly nice cake or pie, but when
he comes to eat it, carpet tacks are found
to outnumher the pIums in it ten to one.
Sometimes man is invited to "try lit
tie OF this very nice syrup" only to ind,
When too late, that he has spoiled his
dinner by too copious a dose of shellac,
or copal Tanish.
Perchauce steyed0re boards some
large steam collier, or other inbound
loaded vessel, fortified with a sealed and
signed special recommend" from some
influential source setting forth the bear
els competency, trustWorthiness, etc.
and urging his retention for such service
as the ship may require. The captain
breaks the seal and reads to the aston
ished steve" a brief biographical sketch
OF an entirely opposite tenor from what
the envelope originally contained, and
the poor victim, despite his attempt 10
explain, IS politely requested t6 get
over the side into his boat again. This,
it must be confessed, is carrying the Joke
rather too far.
The various regular line of steamers
running to New York and Boston from
Portland, afford a speedy, though some
what perlOus means of getting an otting
or OF reaching the tavorite resort. Just
as steamer is about to sail, the cape
ward bound steyedore takes his boat un-
der the stern, passes his long painter
around a standard, or through a ring
bolt, takes the end in his hand and seat
ing himself in the stern sheets, is soon
spinning through the water at the rate
Of ten or twelve miles an hour. When
he has toWed far enough, he lets go the
painter. and it easily slips from its fast
ening.
n ana TOW StnN snft,
had hastily secured his painter in the
manner described, to the rudder- chains
of the steamer John Brooks. His dest-
nation was the resort at the end Of the
cape. Before getting half way there,
night and dense fog was encountered,
making it necessary for him to depend
solely upon his Judgment, as to when to
cut loose from the steamer.
The moment having arrived, imagine
the mans SamaZement to find that the rope
had become so tightly pinched in the
links of the chain, as to defy all his efforts
to eXtricate it. He bethought himself Of
his knife, but to make any forward move
ment, and thas change the trim Of his
boat, would instantly capsize her To
make known his situation to the officers
OF the steamer, and have her stopped
was not to be thought of, except as a
last resort. Meanwhile the steamer swift
y thundered on, her ponderous paddles
churnln9 the waves to phosphorescent
glow on either side of the hapless steve
dore, while the deepening darkness and
damp fog cast weird gloom around him.
TO add to the unpleasantness of the situ-
alton, the sound Of the cape fog signal
now fell upon his ears in a direction
indicating that he would soon be berett
of his only guide back to land that night
Action was the word now, and dire ne
cessity whetted his wits Without NOV
ing from his seat he managed to olsen
gage the esprit" from his sail, and also
to secure the small line used for Sheet
With the latter he tightly bound his
pocket knife to the esprit and then
bending forward sought to cut the paint
er. This was no easy task, having to cut
lengthWise of the rope and wholly by the
sense OF feeling as indicated at the end of
a long pole. Perseverance was reward
| ed by success and in time he severed