Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-01-23
NO ROMANCE IN IT.
NO Music OR HoRNPlPE IN THE LIFE
OF THE MODERN SEAMAN.

Bitter disappointment Followed an Inves-
tisation-sailors Who Work. Eat and
Sleep and Are Devoid of All Ambition.
A Hard and Hopeless Life.
My earliest and strongest impressions
of seafaring life were gained by watching
the cvolutions of her majesty's ship Pina-
fore while shc lay in the dry dock In Phii-
adelphia. and although my Ideals nave
been somewhat shaken by seeing the deck
hands of the transatlantic steamers re-
tanned the notion that the counterpart OF
my old friends would be found aboard
sailing vessels. But that dream is over.
The first shock came soon after leaving
port, when told the captain that he was
to teach me how to dance the hornpipe.
He said that he didn't know how, and
moreover, had never seen any one who
did. I replied that 1 was not from the
country. bat he solemnly assured me that
he was telling the truth and called upon
the second mate to bear him witness. The
latter after much reflection, recoliectea
that he had once known a sailor who could
dance hornpipe but couldn't remember
whether it was on voyage TO the East
Mississippi Further inquiry proved that
no one else had ever witnessed such per-
forInance.
This was not the most bitter disappoint-
ment, however am not great lover of
music, but it seemed to me to be neces-
sary part Of sailors existence that he
should scamper merrily about and pour
forth tho gladness of his heart in song.
81 r. 10
they pull on the ropes and occasionally
burst into dirgc while at pumps, but to
both of these performances the cry OF the
penguin is cheerful by comparison.
Indeed have come to the melancholy
conclusion t.lat the flavor of romance evap-
grated with tho first generation of sea
mon. There is none of that picturesque
idleness which was led to believe was as
essential as the song and dance. Were one
of them to write his daily life it would be
expressive OF more energy than Mark
Twain's famous diary, but would partake
of the same simplicity. II would read,
"Worked, ate and slept" Work begins
when they are driven aboard by their re-
spcctive keepers and ceases when the yes
sci arrives at her destination, SO tbat che
time occupied in eating and shopping is
their only respite In heavy and squaliy
weather there is also constant pulling of
sails 1t is then that their abilities in that
monkeylke accomplishment of climbing
the riapings are tested. AS you stand on
deck in heavy gale and watch all bands
upon one of tho yardarms furling sail
YOU begin to put some faith in Darwin's
theory concerning the origin Of mankind
In fine weather their duties are of differ
cnt sort. They then turn painters, car
pcnters and jacks of all trades. Holy
stoning," scraping, painting and varnish-
ing go on until the ship looks as if she
were lust off the drydock.
Sometimes in an idle moment or in
fit of temporary insanity a sailor decides
TO wash shirt or rcd bandanna One day
during heavy rain this madness became
epidemic, and after closing the "scuppers"
all hands got upon the deck and proceeded
to wash their clothes with small piece OF
soap with a large question mark.
We're they as well treated on all vessels
MS they were on tho Standard they might
possibly learn to take care Of themselves
when ashore 1t is indeed q case of out OF
tho frying pan into the fire, for when they
escape from the rule of moro or less severe
sbipmasters they have not the sense to
keep out of tho way of boarding house run
ncrs and tho like. If they would only keep
their wits about them and make up their
minds to defend themselves in an honest
way, they could not fail to better their
condition. They sometimes entertain
themselves by Sinking work at the iatter
part of the passage and by damaging the
rigging Just before saying farewell.
They never lose the sheeplike appear
ance with which they come aboard, going
about in a flock at the beck and call of the
officers The watch may be forward pull
ing at some ropes when they hear, " Come
aft. two o. yer!" and Immediately replying,
Come aft, two o. yerf' they shuttle in q
body in that direction. In nothing are
sailors more obliging than In regard to
their names 1t matters notwhat they arc
cnllod--Tom, Dick, Harry-all are the
same to them as long as each has scpa-
rate one When two happen to claim the
same name on their arrival, each tries to
outdo tho other in nobly sacrificing 1T to
his companion. Truly they are believers
In the poetical theory concerning the rose
and can see nothing in name.
Bringing up the rear in the ships COM
pany came the animals. Besides pig we
left port with an army OF chickens, cats
and rats, of which tho latter were by far
the most numerous. The chickens went
all too soon, the cats departed save two,
but the rats remained faithful to us. The
surviving cats We're natives of Boston and
showed great fondness for baked beans
and brown bread. 1t was just as well
that their comrades did not live, for they
were all possessed with hearty appetites
and doubtless would have proved very
severe tax upon our supply of provisions.
When the bell sounded, these creatures APP
peared from their various hooks and cor
ners to demand meal in as many differ
cnt keys.--Edward Porter in Philadel-
phia Times.
Fine Homemade Candies.
Almond Candy. pound of suga,