Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1893-07-13

lnpS became more nautical, until at last,
peeping between two high dingy wharfs,
he caught glimpse of the mud colored
waters of the Thames and of the bristle
of masts and tunnels which rose from
its broad bosom. To the right lay quiet
street, with many brass plates upon
either side and wire blinds on all Of the
windows. The admiral walked slowly
down it until 1.-THE st. Lawrence Ship
ping Company" caught his eye He
crossed the road, pushed open the door
and found himself in low ceilinged Of
flee, with long counter at one end and
great number of wooden sections of
ships stuck upon boards and plastered
all over the walls.
"Is Mr.. Henry in?" asked the admiral.
mo, sir" answered an elderly man
/ from high seat in the corner. 'He
has not come into town today. l can
manage any business you may wish seen
/ to-"
"You don't happen to have first or
second officers place vacant, do your"
The manager looked with dubious
eye at this singular applicant.
do you hold certificates" he asked.
81 hold every nautical certificate there
is"
"Then you won't do for u.s."
"Why notT
"Your age, SIR"
Il give you my word that l can see as
well as ever and am as good man in
every way"
81 don't doubt it."
"Why should my age be bar, thenr'
well. must put it plainly. If man
of your age, holding certificates, has not
got past a second officers berth, there
must be black mark against him some
where. l don't know what it is, drink
or temper or want Of Judgment, but
something there must be-"
II assure you there is nothing, but
find myself stranded, and so have to
turn to the old business again"
"Oh, that's it" said tho manager, with
suspicion in his eye. "How long were
you in your last billetr'
"Fifty-one years"
"Whatp
Eyes. sir, one and fifty years."
"In the same employ?"
"Yes."
"Why. you must have begun as
child"
81 was 10 when l joined"
ut must be q strangely managed busi-
ness" said the manager, (which allows
men to leave it who have served for 80
years, and who are still as good as ever.
Who did you server"
"The queen, heaven bless her."
"Oh, you were in the royal navy.
What rating did you holdT"
II am admiral Of the fleet"
The manager started and sprang down
from his high stool.
my name is Admiral Hay Denver.
There is my card. And here are the
records Of my service. don't, you un-
derstand, want to push any other man
from his billet, but if you should chance
to have berth open l should be very
glad Of 1t. l know the navigation from
the cod banks right up to Montreal
great deal better than know the streets
Of London"
The astonished manager glanced over
the blue papers which his visitor had
handed him. won't you take chair,
admiralT said he.
"Thank you. But should be obliged
if you would drop my title now. l told
you because you asked me, but I've left
the quarter deck, and | am plain Mr..
Hay Denver now"
MAY / ask" said the manager, "are
you the same Denver who commanded
at one time on the North American sta
tion?"
81 did,"
"Then it was you who got one Of our
boats, the Comus, off the rocks In the
bay of Fundy? The directors voted you
300 guineas as salvage, and you refused
them"
SIT was an offer which should not have
been made" said the admiral sternly.
"Well, it reflects credit upon you that
you should think so. If Mr. Henry were
here, am sure that he would arrange
this matter for you at once AS it is, I
shall lay it before the directors today,
and l am sure that they will be proud to
have you In our employment and hope
in some more suitable position than that
which you suggest"
II am very much obliged to you, SIR"
said the admiral and started off again,
well pleased, upon his homewardj journey.
CHAPTER XIV.
STILL AMONG SHOALS.