The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-07-19
BUYING a BURNING VESSEL.


Tho e0ooeeekul bpeoohotlon OF Q x0oP
Yosns College Student.
There Ia . certain minister In . Now
England town who, his friends are aoous-
toned to declare, half jokingly, half seri-
ouAly, has undoubtedly missed his voca-
ton. Tey base this opinion not upon any
lack Of tho clergylnan's ability In bis pro-
fession, but upon unmistakable CONNER
cial qualifications Of his which would have
made him an unusually enterprising man
Of business. Their favorite illustration in
support Of the idea is the story Of daring
speculation which tho minister conducted
successfully in his college days.
In common with large number of 9th.
or students In tho small seaooast town
where the institution was situated, young
B. was desperately poor. Tho facilities
there were not particularly good for on
abling a man to work his way through
his college course, and he had tried in vain
to find anything at which he could earn
enough to pay his expenses. At the time
when the following incident occurred no
had just $40 left Of the sum with which
he had begun tho year. He owed most Of
this and could sce no prospect Of obtain
ing any more He had lain awake fof
some time one night wondering II, after
ALL he would DO forced to leave college for
o year or two, and 1t seemed to him that
he had scarcely dropped asleep when be
was aroused by confused noise outside
and by q brilliant glare Illuminating tho
sky. Going to the window and looking
off toward the SEQ, ho was startled to dis.
tinguish the outlines Of burning vessel,
which was slowly making her way toward
the shore. Dressing hastily, he rushed out
and soon reached the wharf, which waa
already thronged with the townspeoplo
and students. Tho flames on the vessel,
making only moderate Roadway, and 1t
was evident that she would get ashore DO.
fore the lives of hor crew wero threatened
This was In fact accomplished, but by tho
time the last man had been brought safely
to land tho fire was raging furlously, md
the little steamer seemed doomed. Hoi
captain, who proved to be also her owner,
stood gazing at his property rucfully 70.
moment, then turned his back upon Ii
and started to walk away. Young B.
stopped him, struck by sudden idea.
Aren't you going to try to save any. |
thing from your vcssels' no asked.
NO." replied tho disguised captain,
with q shrug Of his shoulders. 'I'm
through with hcr-for the present, any.
way If thags's anything left tomorrow !
morning, may try to got 1t, but guess
there won't be. I'm going to look for &
lodging now. Good night"
"Will you soil INC that boat Just as sho
lies for $40?' eagerly inquired B.,
naming the entire sum In his possession.
Tho captain stared Mt him in astoniih-
mont. "Ycs, I'm hanged II WON'T" l.,
replied, with grim look of amusement !
I'm sick of tho whole business.
B. lost no time in making his nr-
Calling q classmatc who WI
on tho wharf, he whispered some direo
lions in his car. Then, turning to tn,
captain, he said:
''If you will go with this young man,
he will give you tho $40 at once. 1 cant
spare the time, because I've got to Get
right to work on tho vessel"
This was no sooner said than done.
With a few students and some of tho men
rom tho town, whom he promised to re-.
pay literally us soon as no had disposct!
If his new property, tho young speculator
vent to work vigorously upon the burning
steamer. Their efforts toward putting tho
ire out were even more successful than
hey could have hoped for, and when morn
ng dawnetl 1t was evident that a consid.
,rable amount Of valuable property, In
'luding tho machinery, had been saved.
To cut the story short, B. sold the hull
md wrcckago for $500, only very small
of which had to be paid to tho
pen who had assisted him. In speaking
# the incident since he has often said that
t gave him kcenor pleasure than he re-
Members feeling nfter any other nchicve-
nent Of his career.-Ncw York Tribune