New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-06-19
BUYING A BURNING VESSEL
THE SUCCESSFUL SPECULATION OF
POOR YOUNG COLLEGE STUDENT


There is a certain minister in a New England
town who his friends are accustomed to de-
clare. half jokingly. half seriously. has I'M
doubtedly missed his vocation. They base this
opinion not upon any lack OF the cergyman's
ability In his profession. but upon unmiStak-
able commercial qualifications Of his which
would have made him an unusually enterprise
ing man OF business Their fayorite illustra-
ton in support OF the idea is the story Of
daring speculation which the minister conducted
successfully in his college days
In common with large number Of other SUI
dents in the small seacoast town whore the in
stitution was situated. young b was dts-
perately poor. The facilities there Were not par
tcularly good for enabling a man to work his
way through his college course. and ne 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 he had Just $40
left Of the sum with which he had begun tho
year He owed most OF this and could see no
prospect Of obtaining any more. He had lain
awake for some time one night. wondering II
after all. he would be forced to leave college for
a year or two. and it seemed to him that he
had scarcely dropped asleep when he was
aroused by a confused roise outside and by
the window and looking off toward the sea- he
startled to distinguish the outlines Of
burning vessel. which slowly making her
way toward the shore Dressing hastily. ne
rushed out. and soon reached the wharf. which
already thronged with the townspeople al d
students The flames on the vessel. which was
a small steam propeller. were making only mod
crate Roadway. and it was evident that rhi
"a lof,r ,h. har
were threatened This was in fact accomplished
but by the time the last man had been brought
safely to land the fire raging furiously
and the little steamer seemed doomed. Her cap
tain. who proved to be also her owner. stood
gazing at his property ruefuy for a moment;
then turned his back upon it and started to walk
away. Young b stopped him. struck by
sudden idea
Aren't you going TO try 10 save anything
from your vessel" he asked
NO" replied the Disguised captain. with a
shrug Of his shoulders. I'm through with her
for the present anyway II there's anything
left tomorrow morning may try to get it. but
guess there won't be I'm going TO look for a
lodging now: good night"
VIII you sell me that boat just she LES
for SiO7' eagerly inquired b. naming the en-
tire sum In his possession
The captain stared at him in establishment
Yes. I'm hanged IL won't" he replied. with
a grim look OF amusement; I'm sick OF the
whole business"
b lost no time In making his arrange
ments Calling cassmate who was on tho
wharf he whispered some directions in his ear
Then. turning to the captain he said
III you will go with this young man he will
give you the $40 at can't spare the
time. because I've got to get right TO work
the vessel"
This sooner said than done. With
few students and " the men from tho
town whom he promised TO repay literally. ~
soon az ne had disposed OF his new property.
the young Spectator went to work vigorously
upon the burning steamer. Their efforts
toward putting the fire out even moro
successful than they could have hoped for. and
when morning dawned it was evident that .
considerable amount OF valuable property. in
Guiding the machinery. had been saved To cut
the story short b sold the hull and wreck
which ha6 10 be paid 20 the men who had as
sisted him In speaking Of the incident since
he has often said that it gave MIN keener
pleasure than he remembers feeling after any
other achievement Of his career.