, 1888-06-01
KEPT ISLANDS FOR SALE.
Novel Nc iod of Procuring n Livelihood.
a EruitIess EHpeditIon.

Novel NJ nod of Procuring n Livelihood.
y FruitIess Expedition.
One man in a seaport town seemed to
be entirely alone in his method of procur-
ing n livelihood. He discovered islands
for a living. There lave been explorers
since the days of Columbus to these days
of Henry NJ. Stanley, but this man was
not an explorer; he did not fit out an ex-
petition or lead a party for the enrich
ment of geographical knowledge. Other
men, being short of provisions, sometimes
go out TO a stream and cast in their lines
to catch a mess for supper or breakfast.
This man, when short of funds, went out
to sea and fshed at an island that he
might live off it until he could discover
another. When he was sailing the main
1t had to be a very wary and circumspect
island that could elude his search. His
name was Capt. Jennett. He was of
French blood, but born In this country;
and at the time the writer met him he
claimed TO have discovered ninety-nine
Islands, and as he claimed to have OBJ
tanned a patent for each island from the
United States government, he was the
owner of that humble of islands, scattered
around the globe.
When he mentioned in a casual way
that among his unconsidered trihes he
had so many Islands, the writer expressed
his astonishment, and said that the fond
est desire of his heart had always been to
possess an island.
"Well, I'll give you one" said the cap
tain, with all the free heartedness that
characterizes q sailor. 'Ive got more
han I want"
your kindness almost overpowers mo.
What must do to enter into possession2"
"Al o hav to do is to fit out a YES
sci to occupy it and ship the guRno on it,
of which you are to deliver to me one
third of each cargo. All my islands are
guano Islands. When l find another kind
of island in my net l just let 1t go. l
have too many to be bothered with any
that haven't a fortune on the surface
ready for shipment"
He then produced q time worn patent,
issued Nov. 80, 1869, by Hamilton Fish,
gallant captain had discovered ''the Island
of Roucador, on the Muskiteer bank, in
the Caribbean sea" and was entitled to
the guano on 1t If he worked 1t. A list
of articles necessary to the working of it
was next produced, in which the exact
number of picks, shovels, planks, nails,
tents, wheelbarrows, provisions, and, in
deed, everything required was set down
in tabulated form. The first load of guano
brought to market, he declared, would
pay for all of these articles, and leave d
handsome profit besides.
Some of the islands he discovered were
in the Pacific ocean, some lie near the
banks of Newfoundland, others-the
greater portion of the list-are in the
Caribbean sea, and some along the coast
of Brazil. They are not down on the
charts, as the captain cares more about
keeping them for his own profit thar for
occupation by the public.
Several expeditions AVE been fitted out
to search for the captains islands and
bring back some of the guano. One went
out from Norfolk, which is q center for
the manufacture of fertilizers, in which
large quantities of guano are used. The
expedition went out fully equipped, every
item on the list of Implements and pro
visions being provided. The captain was
stationed at the bow to look out for the
island, and after a long cruise in the
Caribbean sea 1t was found. The island
was there, and also the guano. But so
also was tho British flag, and the vessel
was warned off and was not allowed to
take a pound of guano. The expedition
cost So. 800, the captains share OF which
supported him very nicely until he dis
covered another island and another
customer.-New York Press.