The morning call., 1894-08-26
HIS FUNNY FADS.
Erratic Mr.. Smith of the
Golden Fleece.
The Skipper of the UnIucky Schooner
Appears and Spins an Anus
ing Yarn.

The romantic narrative of the driftings
and tate OF the trading schooner Golden
Fleece, as published in Fridays CALL,
has not only refreshed the memories of
many who became acquainted with Mr..
Smith and the genial doctor, during their
sojourn in this city several years ago, but
has also resurrected Captain Robert Quin-
ton, the skipper of the ill-starred craft.
He is at present residing in San Francisco,
and recalls wildly the almost aimless
wanderings of the Golden Fleece and her
two erratic supercargoes. After drawing
the salary due him, and leaving the vessel
at Rong-Kong, Captain Quinton returned
at once to California on one of the regular
steamers, and had almost forgotten the
existence of the Fleece. till reminded of
the same by the recital of events afore-
mentioned.
The skipper states that William Yer
mllyea Smith was the full name OF the
erratlc individual who accompanied him
on that eventful voyage, and his COM
panlOn was DIR. Richard F. Duncan of
WllllamstOwn. Mass. While on a visit to
relatives IN the East Captain Quinton first
became acquainted with the pair, and
when he started westward they packed
their baggage at a moments notice and
accompanied him. En- route he learned IN
addition to what has already been stated
that Smith had a wife in New York, sec
end in New Jersey and still another Ia
Spain, but notwithstanding these matrl-
monlal drawbacks he considered hlmseII
eligible Tor fourth.
in some respects he was the most
peculiar man | ever met, sald captain
Qunton, land in my judgment he was
born adyenturer. Women, butter and
tobacco. he claimed, were the only OBJECTS
Of Gods creation worthy TO De cultivated
by any gentleman, and ne manaseu 10 llfo
up strictly to his principles IN TINS regard
He had four wives ana was seoAins aI-
| other, used butter on every article Oh 1000.
including fruit, and managed To consume
! tobacco fifteen hours out OF every twenty
| four. [ remember that upon reaching one
of the islands of the South Pacific, Smith
| nossessed himself of a rare bird of some
| sort and proceeded to feed 1T upon nothing
Int butter. The bird grew thin, and when
some one demonstrated with Smith for not
feeding it upon fruit, the latter asserted
| That a butter diet would make songbird
out OF a turkey buzzard if only continued.
His pet finally died, but Smith claimed it
was caused by asthma or old age.'
Speaking OF his passion for tobacco"
continued Captain Quinton, "he would
after smoking from morning till night
place a pitcher of water on table near
his bed, ana alter filling the room full Of
smoke retire to rest. The fumes of the
tobacco, he claimed, purified the water,
which was only TT to drink when so Duri-
fed. Before sitting in BARRIERS chair be
invariably entered into negotiations with
the barber, allowing him TO smoke huge
pine during the entire shaving process"
The skipper states that DR.. Duncan
did not remain with his comrade Smith on
his island home. but returned to America,
and has dropped completely from view.
Smith in all probability is still dsvoting
his undivided attention TO women, butter
and tobacco on one of the South Paclnc
islands.