Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1885-07-03
CAPTAIN BRANDY'S BET.

Few cargo steamers were in the habit
of making the passage between New
York and Liverpool quicker than the
"Picayune," Captain Hosea E. Bart.
lett; and few men were prouder Of their
craft than was Hosea E, Bartlett of the
"Picayune. Bartlett was New Eng
lander, typical long-legged, hatchet-
faced, wiry haired, keen-eyed, New
Highlander.
America" said he, "bosses creation,
sir, and New England boys boss Ameri-
ca, an that's a fact"
Upon July 10, 1883, che "Picayune
was announced to sail from the foot of
West Tenth street for Liverpool. Upon
the preceding evening Captain Hosea
f. Bartlett was seated in the Oriental
saloon, famous house of call for skip
pers and gentry interested in shipping,
smoking very big cheroot, and occa-
sionally slipping a "John Collins" at his
elbow. He had contented expression
in his face. for he had a full cargo ats
full season when freight was going beg
ging, he'd shipped his crew and did not
expect to have to whistle for more than
three absentees at the hour of starting,
and he was going to see his English
wife who had settled for q while in Iiy-
erpool.
TO him enter Captain Brandy, of the
British steamer "Cockney."
Just as the "Picayune" was famous
for her smart passages, SO was the
"Cockney" celebrated as being one of the
s'slowest Of tubs on the pond" Hence
it was that American Bartlett and Brit
ish Brandy never met without exchang-
ing some lively chaff and repartee, al.
though they were the best of friends.
Hello, Brandy! When's the old
m'lasses tub OFF," was Bartlett's greet
''The British steamer Cockney, Bran
dy, master, sails tomorrow morning,
July 10, as ever was," replied Brandy.
"And dye reckon she'll make Liver
pool this side O. Christmas ," asked Bart
lett, with d twinkle in his eye.
''To-day fortnit she brings up along
side O the quay" said Brandy.
The Yankee skipper burst into a
scornful chuckle.
Captain Brandy called for ''Bour-
bon," leisurely lit clay pipe, took q
few whiffs and sip, rested his chin on
his hands as he leaned forward, and
BARTLETT, you reckon yourself toll BILE
spry, don't yer?"
"Wall," replied the American, II
guess I know the difference between a
jay bird and caboose, an amt likely
to mistake the CROWN of shan ty- town
cock for Hail, Columbia, and that's a
fact"
"There amt nothin' as goes out of the
port of, New York as can whip the
'Picayune, continued Brandy.
@'No, 1 reckon there ain't," said Bart
lett.
"You wouldn't like to put hundred
pound on little notion of mine, would
your" said Brandy.
"Barrin' the 'Cockney,' don't mind
If do" replied Bartlett.
"That's right" said Brandy. 'Look
here: you're always a-pokin' fun at the
'Cockney.' Well, I'll bet yer hundred
pound that I see Mrs. Bartlett before
you do
"You bet me q hundred pound,
British, that you see the missis in Liver
pool before l do?" repeated Bartlett.
"An' the 'Cockney' sails by first tide to:
morrer mornin'?"
''That's so, said Brandy.
"Barrin' all mail steamers" said
Bartlett. II
"Barrin' all mail steamers" said
Brandy. II
"Done with you, boss" said Bart,
lett. y s>&-~.'
So the wager was cemented over q
fresh supply Of drinks, after which
Captain Brandy walked out, wishing
the American skipper "Good night"
"Derned fool, that Brandy" said thu
American to himself. &&> =.
In the mists of early morning the
"Picayune" cleared out. So did The
"Cockney." " - +
Somehow or other, news Of the wager
had leaked out, and general opinion
Endorsed that OF Captain Bartlett, al
though others guessed that Brandy
wasn't the sort to go Singing away
:e1O0 for mere notion, and that lie
knew what he was doing. s4Ea.
At seven bells-half past 7 in the
4 morning Captain Bartlett, on the
bridge of the "Picayune," cheroot in
his mouth, and his hands plunged dep
into his pockets, sang out to his first
mate: .s.z .... +.
"Mr. Slope, send hand up to the
fore-top and report if the 'Cockney' s in
sight"
d ray, az, sir" replied Mr.. Slope. The
man assembled to the fore-top, scanned
& the ocean for some moments, and bel
!. lowed out: sts3s@ k5
~ y" sCockney' astern, sir; hull down.
tBrandy's a derned fool, nluttered
Captain Bartlett, and rolled himself Of
the bridge to breakfast.
During the second dog-watch in the
evening. Captain Bartlett, reclining in
Y his cane chair on The bridge, observed 9
4 commotion forward. The first mate and
I, half dozen Of the crew were assembled
n around some object. and at intervals
cost side glances at the skipper. Bart
ssl had the eye Of . hawk.
81 Nj. Slope, what's going on orrard :
he sang out. IS
Mr.. Slope came slowly aft with the
air Of q criminal.
Please, Sir, il q stowaway. Z
The effect Of this announcement up
On HIS superior officer was terrible and
immediate; he jumped mp from his
D chair as II agisated BY m electric
II 4. IS. ri - q Al