The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1899-06-22
CHAPTER I.

Henry Nj. stevens, Manila (via Hong
Kong:
Business suspended. Cancel unshipped
orders. Draw Larrinaga & Co. balance to
date, $500. LANT1NE & COMPANY"
l remember as II it happened but
yesterday the queer feeling which
came over rue when l read the forego-
ing cable. 1t had been an unuselly
warm day for March, and was trying
TO keep cool in the lounging-room of
the European club, on the river bank,
short distance from the city. My
business in Manila was practically fin
ished, and l was anticipating few
days of recreation before the Hong
Kong steamer left, upon the following
Tuesday, when the message was hand
ed me by one Of the native boys en-
ployed by the club.
1t was such thorough surprise that
for several moments did not realize
the position in which it placed me. l
had been the eastern representative of
Lantine & Company for over two years,
and, although my savings had disap-
peared through series of ill-advised
investments, my position seemed such
a secure one that money matters sell
dom troubled me. Now, however,
after drawing from the Manila bank
ing and shipping house the amount
mentioned in the Dispatch my entire
capital consisted of some thing less
than three hundred dollars, and had
no idea which way to look for employ
ment.
Two of the leading Manila merchants
happened to be in the club at the time,
and, after canceling the purchases |
had made from them on behalf of my
house, ] cabled to HongKong and
Shanghai in the hope of heading off
shipments ordered there during the
previous month. Then, driving to my
hotel in Binondo-the Oriente-I set
tied matters as far as lay in my power,
and was ready for dinner before eight
o'clock.
The Oriente. being new and pro-
gressive, sets one of the best tables in
the east, and as experience with orien-
tai life brings the conviction that
neither hurry nor worry is con-
ducive to good health, took my time
over the meal. Then, lighting a che
root, / walked down the Escolta as
far as the Puen,e d'Espana. which con-
meets Binondo with the old walled cit
adel of Manila. and, leaning against
the hand-rail under solitary electric
light, watched the canoes and bancos
on the Pasig while tried to do little
figuring as to my immediate prospects.
Three hundred dollars would land me
in New York by careful management,
but there was no certainty of employ
ment when | reached there; and the
other foreign houses were so well rep
resented between Yokohama and
Singapore that an immediate opening
in the east seemed unlikely.
At first could think of nothing but
my uncomfortable predicament. But
after awhile the influence of a good
dinner and the soothing qualities OF
the climate began TO make themselves
felt. | found myself watching the
motley crowd of all nationalities
which passed and repassed across the
bridge, the crowds of laughing Mestiza
and Visaya girls strolling along
through the Paseo to hear the military
band at Luneta, groups of Chinamer
sauntering about after the days bust
ness, and Spanish officers driving IN
carromatas with the ladies of theil
families. Down the river were rows OF
small coasting steamers and brigs
each spar and funnel outlined distinct
ly by electric lights on the quays; be
yond them, red spark from the light
house upon the northern mole, and
scattered lights from larger vessels
which lay at anchor two or three mile:
out in the bay.
While watching these, ] noticed ,
government launch coming up thu
river. The landing steps of the qua!
were but few Eaces below the bridge
and l could easily see the faces of tw;
men as they stepped ashore from her
They were both strange to me, bu
there was something about the wall
of one which seemed familiar. pre-
sumo my own face must have been dis
tjnct, as leaned over the rail, for tn,
man glanced searchIngly at me as h
climbed to the street level. AT first h.
turned and walked away several steps
evidently under the impression that h
had made mistake, then came back
as If to cross the bridge in front of me
We looked each other in the eye for
second; then he stopped, and said:
"If you're not Harry Stevens, of New
York, I've made the biggest mistake o
my life."
grasped the outstretched hand an,
began to see something familiar be
hind the brown beard.
"Yes, I'm Harry Stevens, but-hol
on minute. Weren't you with tn
Oceanic Steamship company, seyera
years ago? By Jove! 1t can't be Die
Halstead? What? Well, I'm blessed
Where on earth did you drop from
You have changed, and no mistake
Possibly. But you haven't, oil
chap; I'd know you anywhere. Say
look here, we've got heap to tai
about; come up to the club. No, neve
mind the carromata; it's cooler on tn
river. Well go up in the launch"
"But-how the deuce? l though
she belonged to the government
That's right. So do !, for the pre-
emit" We had taken our seats in IN
stern, and were gliding up the motion
less stream. "rye been in command
that tramp, the Countess of Devon, fo
over a year-you see her lights OF
there, two miles from the mclean
the biggest stockholder in the con
pany that owns her is old Leo
Ramirez, of Liverpool and this plac
N 4.