Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-12-25
Written for The Evening Star
LARBOARD WATCH, AHOY!
BY THE CAPTAIY.

BY THE CAPTAIE.
Well, my little Jim. you have waited 90 long
FOR me to tell you another story, and, now that
they are handing out Christmas things, will
give You this one:
1t was somewhere about the latter part Of the
hfties that CHANGED to be one Of the crew of
the good old craft called the Joseph Porter.
she was fore and aft rig and was commanded
by genuine good-natured Jerseyman, capt.
WASH, as we called him. His brother Sam
was mate. I think there were about three
others and myself before the mast, besides our
cook-in all, seven jolly good fellows. The
fact was our skipper wore low-heeled boots and
didn't put on airs. We all lived aft. hence the
line was not closely drawn, as is usual now on
shipboard, between cabin and forecastle. Ours
was rather an exceptional crew. The mutual
good feeling fore and aft went far to mitigate
the usual hardships incident to sea life. Our
voyages, generally, were short and pleasant.
Shall, however, refer to only one voyage in
particular, as that furnishes the subject of my
story.
,,, 1t was on Saturday, day before Christmas.
We were discaarging cargo at port a little
east OF the Hell Gate" not far from New York
The weather was very cold, and Il strong nor
west WIND blowing. The afternoon was my
trlck at the guy" Capt. Wash. and the boys
mad gone to New York to look at the sights and
buy some Christmas gifts for the Jersey girls.
Inc skipper intended that our cargo should be
discharged that day and that we should sail that
evening, or, at latest Sunday morning in order
TO utilize the fair wind and reach Egg Har-
Dor IN season to spend at least part of Christ
mas ard harbor our vessel for the winter there.
1t was not to be wondered at that Capt. Wash.
was decidedly plain in mapping ont my line of
oaty as wen as the steward S for that afternoon.
was to be particularly attentive to the guy"
TO hurry up the stevedores and, If necessary,
promise them something extra to get the cargo
out. The cook was to have an early supper, SO
that upon the return of Capt Wash and the
boys it would be up Sails of lines and the Joe
homeward bound.
But, alas it was not to be.
1t happened that another craft spread her
charms over the guyman (myself) In this case
1t was a trim little miss just up from Harlem,
who approached the pier at which our vessel
was lying. She went to the outer end of the high
trestle work and waved her tiny handkerchief,
while her sails futtered in the high wind and
she almost persisted with the cold She walked
to and fro on the dock, seemingly at loss what
to do All this while l had had an eye to the
windward taking in the situation.
l summoned the steward to the guy and, in a
lew minutes, We exchanged signals.
learned that she was recently from school,
bound to beautiful little island a short dis
lance to the leeward, whittier she was going to
spend Christmas and the holidays with her
family.
1t was customary for one of the inhabitants
OF the island to meet friends at the pier and
convey them in small boat to the island. On
this occasion brother of the young lady had
gone to Harlem intending to meet her. Failing
IN this placed the young lady in the uncom-
Portable plight found her.
As night was nearing, not knowing what else
70 DO, 1t Is not strange that she accepted nv
invitation to our cabin to a warm fire Ex-
cuslng myself returned to the steward whom
l found In a much swearing" mood. Smooth
ing matters with him rejoined the young lady.
l informed her that We were Just then short
handed, some OF our crew having gone ashore.
But If she would permit me to land her at the
island would be only too glad to accommodate
her.
She replied: "AIany kind thanks, captain. I
am really sorry to put you to all that trouble
How will you ever be able to manage your large
boat in such a strong wind?''
The fact is | was charmed, the appellation
captain" being quite hattering to me, and,
nothing daunted. soon detached our yawi
from the davits and few minutes later was
bearing away my prize.
As we neared the island we were saluted by
1.-THE sentinel Of the night" 10 the shape of a
famous watchdog, who at once gave US for
midable challenge. but who was soon Quoted
by the familiar voice of Miss Nellie calling out
the password-'Towser."
We finally landed head on the rugged shore.
While Miss Nellie and Towser were Exchanging
congratulations the latter kept his weather eye
ON me and by an occasional loud bark init
mated that he was, in the absence of his mas
ter, practically in charge and protector of the
sole occupants OF the island, two ladies' q sister
and aunt OF my charge Miss Nellie introduced
me to them as Capt of the vessel at
Port -. who kindly brought me over here"
Ihanks-don't talk; they all joined in their
expressions OF gratefniness. Even Towser
hQ md
Despite all my excuses (my dress not adding
greatly to my personal appearance was at
once a serious drawback in my own eyes) and
the apparent necessity of my immediate re-
turn, was prevailed upon to accompany them
to their house.
Securing my boat more firmly to the shore
we proceeded to their beautiful and luxuriantly
appointed cottage.
was forced TO realize my situations sailor
in everyday working rig, albeit was clad in a
fairiy decent-looking top coat-and numerous
were my misgivings.
Despite many requests to lay nv overcoat
of, was firm In my determination to refute
any and all such advances, which threatened
me with such cruel exposure, and my in
variable, stereotyped reply was NO, thank
you. can stay but few minutes" With
that overcoat of my appearance would GER
tainly be against me and not in keeping with
the role OF captain" At the best felt much
embarrassed
Ohoftiy after our arrival at the cottage the
husband of Mrs. - and the brother OF Miss
Nellie arrived.
As he entered he inquired: Whose boat is
that OH the shore high and dry?"
Explanations and introductions followed. as
also another request: Captain, do lay off your
overcoat."
Yes" added Mr.. -, do, and take tea and
spend the evening with US. You can't leave
until the tide comes in. Your boat is hard on
shore
Tea was announced and / was their guest.
This over. was escorted to the parlor. While
being thus showered with kindest hospitalities
felt entirely unbecoming OF the occasion. but
realized the fact "a mans man for a. that
and that it is not ''the clothes that make the
man." Still, more than wished that had on
my good suit
After short chat was asked if was fond
OF music. or course l was. No sooner said
than done Mr.. - picked up his cornet and.
with his wife at the piano, they accompanied
the voices of the ladies. Muslc-don't talk. For
the first time in my life heard the song Lar
board Watch, Ahoy" l have heard it sung and
played many times since, but never with such
inspiration as on Captains Island"
Hours were pleasantly spent, and prospects
OF much pleasure in store for the coming Sun.
day (Christmasl, when they were all to sing in
the church choir at Port - and they eyacta,1