The Portland daily press., 1896-02-26
FISHERMEN IN LUCK.
No Freight Specials Over the Grand
Trunk.

- :" -~oHu 6happcT WHO 11Ioho Do"
| Under Repeated Reverses.
| Yesterday was quiet day on the water
'front.' and even the coasters kept clear OF
this port. The Gloucester fishermen
Elsie Smith, arrived from the banks with
DO, 600 pounds of cod and paddock. She
encountered the hard and OBTAINING
weather, and occasional storms reported
by other fishermen. The schooner Wide
Awake bro ught in 1000 pounds, and the
Robert and Call 5000 pounds Of cod and
haddock.
This has been d good week for the
fishermen. who have taken good catch
IN almost every instance, and have sold
at good prices. 1t speaks we'll for the
Portland market when fishermen come
here in preference to going to Boston or
Gloucester. Portland has this year been
the market sought by many Of the
Gloucester shippers.
The high rates asked by marine under
writer's, works occasionally greatly to the
disadvata of the owners of small
vessels. There was case in point re-
ported yestei day by a gentleman who is
we'll acquainted along the coast, and who
is well and favorably known to many of
the fishermen.
He said he received a touching and
pathetic note from little girl Of thir-
teen, asking for help. Her story, we'll
and modestly told, was a most pathetic
one. Her father WAS considered as things
go along the coast, in a way to make
good living. That is he owned and
managed a schooner, and being an
honest, sober and thoroughly reliable
man made some money. He lost his
schooner through no fault Of his own.
and was assisted by friends to get an
other.
But bad luck still followed him. He
did not feel able to keep his little craft
insured, and after few months lost her
much as he did his first schooner.
That broke down his courage, and he
went to his island home, sick, broken
down man, and died in short time after
what was to him crushing loss. His
three children, aged IA, 10 and years
were left practically without means.
The little girl of thirteen took up the
work of looking after herself and her
brothers OF course the boy of fourteen
could do something, and the children of
Maine fishermen who make their homes
far down the coast are used to hardships.
Food they could manage to get, but
clothing they could not, and as last re-
sort the poor child applied to the one
friend she knew, the man who had helped
her father. She asked for one thing more
on her own account and that OF the boys,
good paper.
rhe asked for aid was at once sent, and
a good religious paper now visits that
humble home. The girl who has taken a
heavy burden on her shoulders was
greatly encouraged, and at slight cost
that burden was made much lighter. It
was good and helpful story the telling
of which seemed TO someway brighten a
dull day on the water 'front.' No specials
came down yesterday over the Grand
Trunk, but the cargo OF the Laurentian
will be rapidly forwarded. The record in
that respect has been remarkably good
this year, and there is yet to be the least
detention Of freight.
Mr.. Farrell is the day train dispatcher
at the Grand Trunk, during the absence
of MIR. Laurie, called to Montreal by the
death of his father Mr.. Penfold is the
night train dispatcher in place of Mr..
Farrell.