The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1898-03-18

hall. Every foot of space within has its
use. Between the windows is the desk
of the shipping master, against the
wall, on either side and in every odd
corner where desk room with light may
be found the desk or table of a COM
missioner, a boarding master or super
cargo.
At the rear, in obscurity and far re-
moved from the glowing stove, are one
or more benches, upon which idle sail
ors on the lookout for Chances sit
and smoke, swap yarns and opinions
and now and again venture a respectful
remark to the shipping or boarding mas
ter-men of great influence and not to
be addressed with impunity-and are
ignored for their pains. To these offices
come the captains in need of crew,
sailors in search of berth and with in
credible frequency lads in their early
teens wanting "cabin boy" positions
Sailors, said an old shipping mas
ter yesterday in his South street Office,
"are the hardest worked, worst treated,
worst fed and least thought of class of
men on the face of the earth. If you
want candid opinion Of a sailors life,
ask a sailor. They all know what it is,
and they all admit it. Yet they stick to
the sea, and they can't be torn away.
The boarding houses are crowded with
idle men, and the shipping offices are
besieged by them, most of them ready
to take a berth in any kind of craft
af1oat. l can understand that though.
Once a sailor always sailor is pretty
steady rule. What l can't understand is
the existence of great crowd of young
men and youngsters who choose to fol-
low the sea rather than a quiet, comfort
able trade ashore. The romance has
been pretty well battered out of the
life ON the rolling wave by any num-
Der of plain tales and thoroughly accu-
rate descriptive articles, and it seems
to me that the youngsters of this gener-
alton should have the truth in their
heads But they haven 't-strange to
say, they haven't. The boys of 40 years
ago, when l went to sea and when the
only sea stories to be had were of kind
to fire the imagination of a log of wood,
live again in the boys of today-lads
with the same thirst for adventure, the
same faith in their false ideas and the
same obstinate determination to follow
the life of their choice The shipping
masters meet
The shipping master interrupted him.
self to listen. There was an uncertain
footstep in the hall. pausing before the
threshold for an instant, then timid
knock on the door.
"Come in. called the master, adding
in lower voice, my life on there's
one now"
A boy of Is years or thereabouts en-
tered, and, cap in hand, advanced diff
IDENTIFY to the group of gossips about the
stove. He was coarsely clad, slight and
pale faced and lacked the self assured
air of the city bred boy. He looked
about him nervously, evidently uncer-
tain what to do, and doubtless heartily
wishing himself away from the rough
looking company.
"Is-is this IA shipping Officer" he
stammered.
at is. F."
"Where a seaman gets berth?"
"Some of 'em get jobs here. "
"Well, II want TO sign articles for
voyage south.
"See these men"-pointing to row
of grinning sailors on one of the benches
They'd sign articles for trip to the
north pole If they had the chance. A"
The boy glanced furtively at the i'll
booking fellows and seemed surprised to
learn that there were seafaring folk
with never sign of the sea about them.
~ thought perhaps you might have a
place for "a cabin boy"
What's a cabin boyY" very grufay.
"Aren's any cabin boys nowadays"
"Oh," exclaimed the boy as though
the simple bit of information bad sud-
denly and Thoroughly revised his con-
eeption of the needs of the mercantile
marine service. 81 didn't know. Thank
you, SIR" And with that be turned and
hurriedly MADE his way from the Office.
"He's enlyiSns Ct very MANY" said