New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-11-01
NO WHALE FOR THREE YEARS.
DJsMAY OF THE PEOPLE on SOUTHERN LONG
ISLAND OVER LOSING THEIR PIN MONEY.

DJsMAY OF THE PEOPLE on SOUTHERN LONG
ISLAND OVER LOSING THEIR PIN MONEY.
The inhabitants Of the southern shore Of western
Long Island are in dismay because the summer inst
past is tho third which they have caught no
whale. They have usually calculated on about one
good sized whale a summer, and they have for many
years relied on IT, Some Of the institutions Of the
country arranged the supposton Of the whales
keeping up their average. Among other things tho
minister's salary is partially dependent upon the cap
ture Of a whale. But three seasons have Rone
by without the appearance Of ono, and
that source Of comfortable pin money
(f that term be used in incongruous
eOnnecton) threatens to become obsolete. In the
good old days when whales that way there wonld
often be 81 200 81 500 to divide among the sea
side people The retired sea-captans who lived In
and dignity that coast built their houses with
broad observation towers the roofs and spent
largo part of their time upon them with their spy
glasses wecpIng the horizon for whales When they
saw one the neiglborhood was aroused. II dldnt
take long 10 do this far the immediate circle OF
those interested was concerned. The church bell was
generally ung and travels fast In the country.
There would soon be a good-sized crowd gathered
the shore.
Then the appointed crew Of old, experienced whaiers
launched their boat, kept In readiness and II they
successful IN harpoonlng their whale would have him
towed In 10 the shore. Then there big blubber
trying bee The whale house, on the shore
opened the big kettle II contained put into requisi-
tion and the whole countryside engaged in profitable
IL not very appetlzng recreation OF cutting up the
whale and trying out the bubbcr. and extracting the
whaebone from tie head. Then the division Of the
spoils The man who first saw the creature had
certain extra share, and the Others divided, while
the minister received exceedingly welcome addition
to his stipend.
absorbing Is the occupation OF looking for whales
for the" menOlks7 OF the shore settlements that
they have far-away, Captain Cutie look in their
eyes all the time; their gaze being bent, not exactly
the coast d Greenland, but those quarters
whence whales generally to he expected. One
grizzled old mariner who had been spending the de-
cinng years Of his life right the edge Of the water.
was one day compelled by exigences Of a domestic
nature to move up into the village. back from the
watcr-sde and quite inaccessible to views OF the
ocean.
M wife got q crazy notion that she'd have to b
up in the village 9uer1lonsly explained the
old captain to any inquiring visitor. he sat a.
shine, m had 20 do what Mirandy wanted, though
l did make a powerful KICK But it's mighty poor
place TO live.
Convenient to the store1 oh, yes. m TO church.
m all that. But it's way back from the water.
m it's cluss m dusty, m they make such In
fernal racket-and here the Captain Cutie look came
into his be added the chief clause In his indct
ment Of village life" and you can't whale nor
nuthin', II there should be one.'