Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1895-10-09
Mari; Tlcain's Latest Story.


Ii was on the ship coming home from
Europe at the entertainment given in aid
of the Atlantic sailors that Mr.. Clemens
recalled the tale in response to an encore
demanded after he had read a selection
from his own writings Naturally he
turned to the sea and sea folks for inSpi-
ration. TINS was the story, robbed per-
firce, of all the inmilabe features OF the
telling peculiar to Mark Twain in his
happiest mood. when the words drawl
their slow length along, fairly floating in
their humor, which is frequently far mure
in the style of uIterauce than in the mat
ter itself He had the tale from an old
salt he mel once Ell route TO Havana
| The old salt, who was a Nantucket fish
! erman, and for many years master OF a
craft Of his own, was ruminaling about
the queer characters and odd experiences
h. hA eucluntere first anl las; in his
day. aud among Others recalled the slim
slip of a boy, who shipped with him ON
one trip-a perfectly green hand, who was
anxious to learn something of the sea.
The first night out a northeast gale set
in with heavy rain. The captain order
ed the newcomer aloft To reef a yard and
hen. with kind hearted anxiety to see
that the boy did not 60 overheard in the
gale, he went forward as soon as he could
to see how he was getting on. The boy
had not hunked, nut was climbing with
one hand and with the other trying To
steady an umbrella over his head. This
was too much for the captain, and he
roared at The land lubber, of course. This
was sample Of some Of the performances
of the young sailor, but the voyage was
"A long one, aud before they parted the
sailor had become used 10 the ropes, and
he and his captain were on lirsl.raie foot.
ing.
Shortly before the Nantucket sailor and
Mark Twain came across each other, the
old captain, just home from a long voyage,
together with the male Of the vessel, had
gone to Boston to see the sights. They
concluded 10 take luncheon at a swell
hotel just to see what it was like. They
finally fetched up AT the fremont House
and fairly got seated at one of the tables
in the main diuiug.room. While they
were waiting for their best substitute for
plumduf, they noticed that a good deal
of attention was being pail to II gentleman
who had just come in, accompanied by two
ladies. They were SO impressed by this
that The captain asked his waiter vino the
important parsonage was, and he learned
that he was the Governor Of Massachu-
sets.
When he named the governor the cap
tain's memory was stirred and, with his
seamau's love of dramatic Effects, he turn.
ed To his mate aud bet nver that he'd
90 over and shake hands with the goverp-
or. The mate bet fv.r he "dassent."
But the captain wasn't ddunlel. He ad-
ded that he was ready to bet another fiver
that The governor wouldn't only shake
hands with him, but w. uld ask him To
dinner. The mate accepted this wager.
too, aud The captain gave hitch To his
trousers, which is a trick all seamen
"larn," and got up.
in telling The story he said he almost
felt ready 10 lose his wager alter he START
ed, but he didn't want To make fool OF
himself, so he went over 10 The governors
table aud made his best bow and said
GLOW do you p
The governor said, How do you do 2"
too, bat he went on TO say that he was not
able to place the face aud so on, which
is a trick all governors larn, and a lot
of other people. too, for that matter. The
captain bad his pedigree all ready. 1t
consisted of his own name aud the name
of his vessel.
The mate, who was looking on, saw a
change come over the face Of the governor
and walters. and all were much surprised
to see the State digniiary leave his chair
at step, grasp the hand OF the queer
looking old codger aud shake it vigorous
/ ly.
The captain was asked at once to sit
down and have some luncheon, but he
said he could not as he bad left his mate
back "aft."
"Well, 90 get the mate" said his ex
cellency, there's room for all Of US. II
there isn't we'll have room made. Here,
waiter"
The upshot of it was that the first lady
of the Bay State aud her sister and his
excellency the governor aud the captain
and the mate ale together in peace aud
harmony and food Of old I me memo