The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-11-13
MARSHAL BALDWIN IN A STEW

concerned, because Captain Zardilla bid
in for her when he did not have any
money.
The Adalguisa is the bark that Mate
Roberts said was sent out to be lost. She
is as old as the Cathedral at Lima and in
a much worse structural condition. Her
owners are rich men, who it is alleged
were anxious 10 get rid OF their property,
and so sent her out in a disabled condi-
ton TO battle with wind and wave.
Captain Zardllla il an Italian. 1t was
he who weakened when the breezes com
menced to hum through the an cient bark 5
tangled rigging. He held consultation
with his first officer and said he thought
that a change of course would be in order.
San Francisco was reached, the Adalguisa
was leaking and her crew half starved.
Promptly at 80 o clock yesterday after
noon Marshal Baldwin " as on hand at the
Merchants Exchange to preside as auc-
tioneer at the sale. He brought with him
the stars and stripes. small step-ladder
and a stout deputy to maintain order in
the event of riot. Across the flag was
the word Auction" and as soon as it was
unfurled mariners from all quarters came
pouring into the Exchange binding. There
were Captain Gray of the Red Stack Tow
boat Company and Captain Hawlev of the
Spreckels line, Charles Minor Goodal.
Captain Mat Turner and John Rosenfeld.
There were sailors from North Beach and
tars from the flats, marines with little
bunch of whiskers on their chin" and nau-
Teal persons with smooth faces and clear
consciences. All wanted chance to bid
in for the AdaIguiSa, as it was mooted
broadly that the craft might be knock Led
down for six bits or a dollar.
Marshal Baldwin trced MP his trousers
aud hooked on to the stepladder. His dep
uty made fast to one of the pillars
of the building and remained glued
there during the ceremony. The Marshal
adjusted his port and starboard lights on
each side of the bridge of his nose. said
gentlemen" and hush came over those
gathered like magic.
81 have here the stout, slightly anti
quated but valuable Chilean bark Adal-
guisa, against which claims TO the amount
of several hundred dollars have been
made. She is an atwood copper-fastened,
dOuble-bo toned cargo carrier with ped
igree like a racehOTse. Gentlemen, what
do you bid ."
A still, small voice at the outer edge of
the multitude said, "Ten dollars"
A still smaller voice said Fifteen" but
the quick ear of the deputy caught the
raise. Marshal Baldwin was appraised.
By this time Captain Mathew Turner,
who had been converting with himself
near the stairway, came to the front. Sew
eral nautical persons had run the bid up
to $500, and Captain Turner was deter
mined not to be outdone.
Five hundred aud fifty" he shouted,
and Marshal Baldwin's face lit uD like
tOrDed o-bOat under seaEchlighl.
Five hundred and fifty. Who bids five
seyenty-fve? Just think of it! A whole
full-rigged bark for less than $500"
Up TO this time Captain Zardilla had
been passive factor in the proceedings.
Hestood beside Mr.. Cation of Grace & Co.,
looking like a man who was on trial for
stealing bis own clothes. He hated 10 see
his ship getting away from him so Oh eaply.
With a couple of strides forward he
reached the Marshal's elbow, whispered
something and retired.
six hundred Pm bid who bids twenty
Eve? Six hundred Pm bid; who bids"
The Marshal paused. for Captain Tur-
ner had raised the bid. and again Zardila
came forward. This time he had an inter
prefer. and the bidding kept no at lively
rate until il reached $500. Zardilla al
WAYS led.
Zardilla bid $50.
Turner went him ten better.
Zardilla bid $3.50.
Turner went him another ten be tter
Zardilla bid $500, or twenty better than
Turner.
The latter turned up his nose and
walked away in disgust, while Marshal
Baldwin said, Going, going. gonev' and
knocked the vessel down TO the Italian.
The crowd dispersed. Mr.. Baldwin
came down from his stepladder, furled
Old Glory and handed the emblem of his
country over to the deputy, who had by a
mighty effort torn himself away from the
pillar to which he had adhered. He
walked off like an automaton. Then Mr.,
BALDWIN turned to the purchaser and re-.
Quested deposit.
An expression as blank as a clean sheet
OF paper came over that worthy's face.
BE suddenly became as non-committal as
a 6ivalve, and not until Mr.. Cation had
asked him few questions in his own Ian
guage did he deign to reply.
~ guy hO hdo DOI ROI a cent To his
name, said Mr.. Cation, sem-apologeti-
calIy.
Mr. Baldwin turned white, Then Mr.
Baldwin turned black. He threw nm
both hands and made a reverse nation
with his right foot. like as if he had inten-
ton Of kicking himself. He set his eve.
glassesson his lose securely and exclaimed
as does Mr.. Baldwin not often exclajm :.
"Well, I'll be dangedW Colo beads of
perspiration were standing out on his fore.
head and there was every sign of the Mar
shall being unduly warm.
Another hasty consultation between
Mr.. Cation and Captain Zardilla. Itwa
learned that the latter had an idea Can
tain Turner would go $40 higher, and he
wanted to get as much money for the
bark as possible. because good deal was
due him for wages.
''Tell him ! arrest him for contempt. {"
said Mr.. Baldwin with emotion. "Here,
give me that flag" Mr.. Baldwin took
charge Of the stars and stripes and the
deputy took charge of Captain Zardila.
And this is the story of how the Adal-
guisa was not sold.