St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-01-24
CAPT. WILLIAMS BET,
And How a Bright Girl Made Him
Lose IL.


making the passage between New York and
Liverpool quicker than the Clairmont.
Capt James Z. Williams, and few men
were prouder of their craft than was James
Z. Williams of the ClairmOnt. Williams
was New EnglaDder, a typical. long
legged New Highlander. America" said
the, bosses creation, sir, and New Eng
land boys boss America, an that's fact"
Upon July 1, 1884. the ClairmOnt was
announced TO sail from the foot OF West
Tenth street, New York, for Liverpool.
Upon the preceding evening Capt James
L. Williams was seated in the Oriental
saloon, famous house OF call for shippers
and gentry interested in shipping, smoking
a very big cheroOt and occasionally slipping
Tom and Jerry at his elbow. he had a
contented expression in his face, for he had
full cargo at season freight was going
begging, he'd shipped his crew and did not
expect to have 10 whistle for more than
three absentees at the hour of starting. and
he was going to see his English wife, who
had settled for a time in Liverpool.
To him enters Capt Thomas Of the Brit
ish steamer Royal Cadet.
Just as the Clairmont was famous for her
smart passages. so was the Royal Cadet
of tubs on the pond" Hence il was that
American Williams and British Thomas
never met without exchanging some lively
chat and repartee, although they were the
best of friends.
Hello, ThOmasl When's the old
mlasses tub OFF," was Williams greeting.
The British steamer Royal Cadet,
Thomas, MASTER sails tomorrow mornin',
July l, as ever was" replied Thomas
'And dye reckon she'll make Liverpool
this side o. Christmas?" asked Williams.
with a twinkle in his eye.
To-day fortnit she brings up alonside o
the quay" said Thomas
The Yankee skipper burst into a scornful
chuckle.
Capt Thomas called for Bourbon"
lesurely lit clay pipe. took Whit or two
and sip, and said: Williams. you reckon
yourself kind of smart, don't yer?"
wall. replied the American, Il guess
know the difference between jay bird
and cabOOse. and that's fact"
There amt nothing as goes out Of tine
port of New York as can whip the Clair
mont" continued Thomas.
mo, L reckon there amt" said Will
Jams.
'YOu wouldn't like TO put a hundred
pounds on a little notion OF mine. would
you?" said Thomas
''Barrin' the Royal Cadet, don't mind
| if / do" replied Williams.
That's right" said Thomas. "LoOk
here. yours ALWAYS a-pOking fun at the
Royal Cadet Well, I'll bet yer a hundred
pounds that / see Mrs. Williams before you
| do"
"You bet me hundred pounds, British,
| that you see the missis in Liverpool before
| 4 do ln
| Cadet sails by first tide tomorrow mOrnin'?''
That's so" said Thomas.
''Barrin' all mail steamers?" said Will
Jams.
"Barrin' all mail steamers" said Thomas.
"DOne with you, boss" said Williams.
So the wager was cemented over a fresh
supply of drinks, after which Capt. Thomas
walked out wishing the Yankee skipper
| good night.
"Demed fool, that Thomas" said the
Yankee to himself.
=
In the mist of early morning the Clair
mont cleared out So did the ROYAL Cadet
At seven bells-7:30 in the morning
Capt. Williams on the bridge of the Clair
mont, cheroOt in his mouth and his hands
plunged deep into his pockets, sang out 10
his first mate:
mir. Slope. send hand up to the fore
top and report if the Royal Cadets in
sight"
lay, ay, sir" replied Mr.. Slope.
The man assembled the fOretOp. scanned
the ocean for some moments and beloved
out:
Royal Cadet, astern, sir; hull down"
Thomas is deTned fool. muttered Capt
IVilIiotoc onH raIlad hifnsalf off tho hrfdsra
to breakfast.
During the second dog watch in the even
ing. Capt. Williams reclining i'm his cane
chair on the bridge. observed a connection
forward. The first mate and half a dozen
of the crew were assembled around some
object, aud at intervals cast side glances at
the skipper. Williams had the eye of a
hawk.
''NTr Slope, what's going on fOrard?.
he sang out.
Mr.. Slope came slowly aft with the air
of a criminal.
please. sir, it's a stowaway"
The effect of this announcement upon his
superior officer was terrible and Immediate:
! he jumped up from his chair as if agitated
| by an electric shock; his eyes glared like a
couple of torches; his brow contracted into
all sorts of frowns and burrows; he foamed
''Chuck him oyerboardI'
please, sir, it's a she," said the chief
mate.
"Chuck her-noi Great sakesl Bring
her aft" roared the captain.
So the mate returned To the group forward
and presently returned. leading by the hand
a fair-haired, blue-eyed child of about
/ eleven.
WELL" said Williams, after he had
slowly surveyed her from head to foot and
! from foot back again TO head. and noted
that she was apparently of very superior
order of stowaway, her clothes being good
and physical appearance that of a child
well looked after, ''who are you?"
MARY Jane Johnsworth," was the ready
reply.
MARY Jane Johnsworth," repeated the
! skipper. ''Wall. and what does Mary Jane
Johnsworth want a-hidin' of herself aboard
craft as don't belong to her?"
81 don't know" was the answer.
You don't know. Gotfather and mother9"
asked Williams.
Eyes, sir" answered the child.
Then what are yer a-slopin' from home
fur?"
I'm not I'm going home"
"Then you're Brtisher. reckon"
MARY Jane is my name; England is my
nation, Birkenhead Is my dwelling place,
and" said the child.
Capt. Williams filed up the rhyme with
/ something which was not salvation then
/ took turn or two along the bridge, keep
ing his eye on the child all the time, as if
she was some rare geological specimen.
wall" he said. stopping suddenly, ''if
you wur a man. or a boy, do you know
what should do with your"
ASK me if L could eat anything" was
/ 70 raralrr