Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1897-05-13

y
. WQD4A.
~ a. CONAN DOYLE
nature, but in very good spirits none the
less. He walked with dilated nostrils
and clenched hands. all glowing and
tingling with the excitement Of the CONE
bat. and warmed with the thought that
he could still, when there was need,
take his own part in . street brawl In
spite Of his three-score and odd years.
His way now led towards the river
side regions, and cleansing whit OF
tar was to be detected In the stagnant
autumn air. Men with the blue jersey
and peaked cap Of the boatman. or the
white duck Of the lockers. began to re-
place the corduroys and fustian OF the
laborers. Shops with nautical instru-
ments In the windows. rope and paint
sellers, and slop shops with long rows
of oilskins dangling from hooks. all
proclaimed the neighborhood OF the
docks. The Admiral quickened his pace
and Strengthened his figure as his sur
roundings became more nautical, until
at last, peeping between two htgn.
dingy wharfs. he caught glimpse OF
the mud-colored waters Of the Thames,
and of the bristle of masts and tunnels
which rose from its broad bosom. To
the right lay quiet street. with many
brass plates upon either side. and wire
| blinds in all the windows. The Ao-
miral walked slowly down 1t until The
Saint Lawrence Shipping Company
caught his eye. He crossed the road'
pushed open the door. and found HIM
self in low-ceilinged Office. with
long counter at one end and a great
number of wooden sections OF SHIPS
stuck upon boards and plastered all
| over the wallis
'Is Mr.. Henry in?" asked the Admiral.
mo, SIR" answered an elderly man
from high seat in the corner. He has
not come into town to-day. can man.
age any business you may wish seen to.
"You don't happen TO have first or
second officers place vacant. do you!
The manager looked with dubious
eye at his singular applicant.
:'Do you hold certihcates?" he asked.
II hold every nautical certificate
there isl
Then you won't do for u.s."
''Why not?"
''Your age, SIR"
81 give you my word that can see as
we'll as ever. and am as good a man
in every way"
II don't doubt It..
"why should my age be bar, then?"
well, I must put it plainly. If man
Of your age, holding certificates, has
not got past a second officers berth,
there must be black mark against him
somewhere. don't know what 1t Is,
drink or temper. or want of judgment,
but something there must be-"
II assure you there Is nothing. but l
find myself stranded. and so have to
turn to the old business again"
"Oh. that's it" said the manager,
with suspicion in his eye. How long
were you in your last billet?"
"Fifty-one years."
WHAT"
Eyes, sir, one-and-fifty years"
I'm the same employ?"
Eyes"
.Why. you must have begun as a
child"
Il was twelve when Joined"
'It must be a strangely managed
business" said the manager. (which al
lows men to leave it who have served
for fifty years. and who are still as good
as ever. Whom did you server"
1.-THE Queen. Heaven bless her!
"Oh, you were In the Royal navy.
What rating did you hoid?
IT am Admiral of the Fleet"
The manager started. and sprang
down from his high stool.
ssNx, 20 Admiral E19v Denver.
There is my card. And here are the
records of my service. don't, you un-
derstand, want to push another man
from his billet; but II you should chance
to have a berth open, should be very
glad of it. I know the navigation. from
the Cod Banks right UP to Montreal a
great deal better than know the streets
Of London"
The astonished manager glanced over
the blue papers which his visitor had
handed him. Wont you take a chair,
Admiral?" said he.
THANK you! But should be obliged
If you would drop my title now. told
you because you asked me, but I've left
the quarter deck, and am plain Mr.. Hay
Denver now
MAY ask" said the manager, "are
you the same Denver who commanded
at one time on the North American sta
tion?"
81 did"
'Then it was you who got one of our
boats, the Comus. of the rocks in the
Bay Of Fundy? The directors voted
you three hundred guineas as salvage.
and you refused them"
TT was an offer which should not have
been made" said the Admiral sternly.
"Well, it reflects credit upon you that
you should think so. II Mr.. Henry were
| here am sure that he would arrange
this matter for you at once. AS it is,
shall lay it before the directors to-day,
and am sure that they will be proud
to have you in our employment, and, I
hope, in some more suitable position
| than that which you suggest
II am very much obliged to you, sir"
said the Admiral, and started off again,
well pleased, upon his homeward Jour-
| ney.
CHAPTER XIV.
ETTyJ AMONG aunAvc