Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1895-10-10
THE VOICE THAT CALLED.

of narratives having given out we were
casting about for more. yes, said
my friend, the director of and partner
in noted ocean steamship line, 81
have had quite few remarkable IN
cidents happen to me in my day, es-
pecially when was sailing one Of the
two ships belonging to the--line,
and my partner the other, with ret
respective smile as he thought Of the
extensive number Of vessels he con-
trolled.
"But | think the most tying expe-
rience l ever knew took place even be-
fore then, when I was youngster Of
twenty and very proud of being trusted
with a ship while still 50 young.
"You see, I was clergyman's son
and my family looked upon my desire
to follow the sea as utter foolishness,
but after I had run away a dozen
times or so and been followed and
brought back Just as many, my father
thought he might as well let me have
my own way, so he took me down to
Liverpool and apprenticed me proper
| " and in the due form to an old friend
of his, who was the head Of great
merchantmen line running to the West
Indies and back. l was only fourteen
then and | believe the idea was that
| should tire of the labor and hard
ships of sea life and be glad to beg for
home again; when this happened |
was Of course to be let 90, for friend
ships sake, and would be started off to
college in due order; year or so be-
hind my proper time, but still not IT.
redeemably late"
The old captain smiled again and a
twinkle frightened his eye as though
he was very much amused internally,
but his voice was as dry as ever and
not the shadow of smile transgressed
the club rule which prohibited mem
Der from laughing at his own stories.
Some of the listeners stirred a little
Iazily as he paused, and Wilson, who
was always the leader, nodded to him
to continue.
"Well," j" he complied, 81 disappoint-
ed my father and enjoyed sea life 50
much that my captain gave fine ac-
counts of me and my fathers friend
took a great liking TO me and often
had me to spend week at his home
when the ship was in port, and |, fear
ing to be late in joining her again, had
shortened my home visit and was wait,
ing for the day of starting. His wife
was kind to me, too, and he had lit
tie daughter, who-but that's antici-
pating.
The years of my apprenticeship
passed and the proud moment when
received my papers as master mari
mel arrived. Then | was given
ship, although my youth made this
very unusual thing, and sent off to the
West Indies. OF course, was sup
piled with an old and experienced frst
mate, and it was probably due a!
much to his care and watchfulness al
to my own skill that the voyage Passec
off without an accident or mischanct
of any kind, but l was as proud as
hen with her first batch Of chickens
and the head of the firm showed hi
confidence in my abilities in manner
which came very near to losing him
daughter.
Arthur, my boy he said to me-
some days before l sailed again, i n
going out with you. I'm going to taxi
my wife and daughter along, too; w
all fancy the trip, and it struck mt
that we would go with you instead o
on passenger vessel. My wife ha
made the trip on merchantmen many
a time when we were younger and my
daughter is very anxious to try 1t
You can let the ladies have the wife
cabin, can't you?'
"In those days every merchantmen
ship was supplied with little eabll
for the use of the captain S wife, al
though they stopped the practice soO1
after and forbade the men to carr.
their families with them. OF course
I was very willing to have my friend
as passengers, although l was httl
nervous at the thought of my employ
er being in the ship with me and hav
ing his sharp old eyes taking notice c
my every movement.
"But l need not have been anxlou
on this account, for the day before W
sailed the old gentleman was disable
with an attack of gout and he decide
that he must STAY at home