Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-04-01
cleaned and repaired; vice-Consulate
for Norway and Sweden"

uouUG OeSIreu. IL seemed to me tina
Messrs. Dewy& Moss had altogethe,
too many strings to their bow. An,
the railway journey to F. was ;
long one. So hesitated for two DAYS
and on the late afternoon of the third
found myself some three hundred
miles from home, standing in a windy
street full OF the blown odors OF ship
ping and pulling at bell which
sounded with terrifying alacrity just
on the other side of the door. A win.
dow was thrown up, right above me
and a head appeared (of Dewy, as il
turned QUIT and commanded me to
walk in and come upstairs.
Mr.. Dewy met me on the landing,
introduced himself and led me into his
office, where fat young woman sat
awlkwardly upon a wooden chair sew
| eral inches too high for her. Hastily
reviewing the many professional capaci-
ties in which Mr.. Dewv could serve
her, l decided that she must be cool,
in search of place. The agent gave
me the only other chair in the room
it was clear that in their various feats
of commercial dexterity the firm de-
pended very little upon furniture and
''accessories"-an balanced himself on
the edge of his knee-hole table. He
was q little, round man, and his feet
dangled three inches from the floor.
He looked honest enough, and spoke
straightforwardly.
You have come about the Yacht,
sir. You would wish to inspect her at
once. Dear, dear, it is most unfor-
tunate! Your letter only reached us
this afternoon. The fact is, my part
ner, Mr.. Moss, has gone off for the day
to N to attend meeting of the
Amateur Bee Keepers Revolutionary
partner is an enthusiast upon bee
culture"
The versatility of Moss began to grow
bewildering.
And will not be back until late to-
night. As for me" he consulted his
watch; II am due in half an hours
time to conduct the rehearsal of serv-
ice of song at Lady Huntingdon's
chapel, down the street, where I play
the harmonium.
The diversity of Dewy dazed me COM
pletely.
You are staying the night at F-?'
he said.
"Why, yes. sleep at the Ship inn,
but hoped to leave early tomorrow.
'''Of course You could inspect the
sails and gear now at once; they are in
the loft behind" He jerked thumb
over his left shoulder.
80 l understand; but it would be
better to see the boat first
"Naturally,' naturally. I hope you
see how / am placed. You would not
desire me, l feel sure, to disappoint the
members who will be waiting presently
for their rehearsal. Il began to delight
in Dewy). Stay, perhaps you would
not greatly object to rowing up and in
spccting the yacht by yourself? Here
are the keys and my boat is at your
disposal; or, if you prefer it, Il water
man"
Nothing would suit me better, if
you don't mind my using the boat"
''Itwill be q favor, sir, your using her,
assure you. This way, if you please"
He jumped from the table and led the
way downstairs and through some
very riclsety back promises to the quay
door, where his boat lay moored to o
frapc. As climbed down and cast off
Mr.. Dcwy pulled out his watch again.
"Thc evenings are lcngthcning, and
you will have plenty of time. Half an
hour to high water; You will have the
tide with you each way. The keys will
open everything on board. By the way,
you can't miss hcr-blacll, with tar
nishcd gilt line, moored beside u large
white schooner, just thrce-quartcrs Of
Il mile up. You can moor the boat to
the frape on your return; tomorrow
will do for the keys; at your service
any time after nine a. m. Good even
inc. ieir."
Mr.. Dcwy turned and hurried back
to his client, whose presence during
our interview he had completely ig-
norcd.
The sun had dropped behind the tall
hills that line the western shore of the
F. river; but a soft yellow LIGHT, too
generously spread to dazzle, suifuscd
the whole sky, and was reflected on the
tide that stole up with scarcely RIM
pie. A sharp bend Of the stream
brought me in sight of the two yachts,
;lot fifty yards away-their inverted re-
Elections motionless as themselves; |
rested on my oars and driftcd mp to-
wards them. coming the black yawl
She struck me as too big for n thirty
five tonner, foreshortened though she
lay--a wall-sided narrow boat, but
very pretty specimen of her type. Her
masts were painted white,
and her upper boards had been re-
moved, of course.
Hullo.
There was a man standing on her
deck.
She lay with her nose pointing up
the river and her stern towards me.
The man stood by her wheel flor
some idiotic reason best known to him
self, her builder had given her wheel
instead of tillerl, which was covered
up with tarpaulin. He stood with
hand on this tarpaulin case, and looked
back over his shoulder towards me--a