The Savannah morning news., 1900-08-12


China, often make larger annual income
than the accomplished gentlemen wse
command the great liners of the Atlantic
or Pacific. And when they have accum-
ulated enough 1t is not uncommon to find
them owning a craft of their own.
One of the most fortunate known az
Lucky Phil" was captain and owner OF
the finest craft that ever claimed Cochin
as a home port. II looked like a yacht
and it's discipline was that of man-of.
wer. The captain had been an officer in
the little navy OF the Honorable East IN
Ola Company. II was known from Muscat
to Shanghai. and made money hand oyeS
fist. Captain Phil was liberal and a gen.
erous entertainer. His steward was John
the Chinaman, who was unapproachable
in all of his numerous functions The
best that all markets afforded attested
his skill as caterer, and the best things
were served in the best way, for John
could not only supervise the cooking but
was an adept himself. AS valet he was
perfect, could mend clothes like tailor,
shave, cut hair, in fact, do anything any
factotum could possibly be expected to
do. AS nurse he had proved invaluable,
having by his tender and judcious care
actually saved the lives of Capt Phil and
his wife when Frustrated with fever But
ne became transcendent as a nurse for
children Capt. Phil had two little girls
/ knew them; they used to come to my
house every day to play on my wifs's
piano-and John was devoted to them.
The Happy Indin Home.
The Captain owned a house In Cochin,
something unusual in India, where Euro
peans are usually carpetbaggers, longing
10 make their pile and go home, and ex-
pended no little care and money in maxi
Ing 1T comfortable, and he usually man.
pped IN AZ laaz Sxra 10
home every year when hospitality pre-
vailed. When the blue peter few wife
babies and all used to go aboard the
Laura Broke. Till his last voyage the
Captain had his home with him whereves
he went. The first separation was in 1864,
when Capt. Phil intended TO make a short,
sharp and decisive commercial campaign
and retire from the sea.
The brig was TO be sold, and there had
been keen competition among the wealthy
and enterprising natives for the refusal of
her P. Poolikahguth Markar, the mil
lionaire Moplah trader in coffee. which,
shipped to Bombay in Arab dhows. and
transshipped here as Mocha, is of the fn
est brand; Rungan Shanoy importer and
exporter, afterward killed by a cobra
which frequented his compound, and
which was daily fed with milk "a pleasant
fellow: 1 saw him two hours before this
happened), and P. Sabapathy Moodelliar.
another general trader of credit and re-
nown, three of the very best constituents
of the Branch Bank of Madras. were
prominent candidates. No decision was
arrived at but the fact of the voyage be-
ing Capt. Phips last suff1ced to gather an
unusual throng TO see him OFF. 1t was
his first parting, TOO, from his wife ana
children. and the first time John the chi
naman had been separated from ms 40
nestle duties. There was sort OF tol-
lying tiffin on board, with the Europeans
to add their consultations. and. in fact.
abe good-bys were made generally 1estai.
The gallant craft sailed gayly over the
bar between the old Portuguese castle and
the palm-embowered fishing village OF
Vypeen. with colors flying and hr1ng a
salute. No news came for two years Inen
John arrived with the sad news that, llko
sundry other vessels that have been miss
ed from time to time the Laura Broke
had been rushed by pirates in the China
sea. looted and all hands killed but him
self. 1t was grievous tale. but sucn
things happen, and in due time the stns
of bereavement was soothed. the via.
ow would not leave Cochin, but tauene
her children herself. and continued 10
a favorte in the little society. John pc
came. II possible, a greater treasure thSh
ever, transacted all the domestic business
and rose in favor with every one.
john. tne iFahtofs
One day the Western Star ioca,
weekly. had few belated lines, chPpeu
from, an old exchange about the roundihs
IN month or so before of some pirales
at Hong Kong, and il came out tnls
among their exploits was the seizure OK
the Laura Broke. John read TINS anu
proceeding to the tannah. police statio,v,
gave himself UP as not only an accesso,'
before the fact. but the chief OF the GU"
spiracy to admit the pirates as passens
and the man who gave the signal Tor tne
slaughter by stsbbing Capt. PM!
produced the knife with which he ealo lns
deed was done, which he had carried ever
since wrapped up in cloth in MS houSe'
like the Kate Stoddard who murdered 'ne
brother of a justice Of the Supreme CouIt
some years ago In Brooklyn. The pra
had treated him stability, for, instead y,
giving him any share OF the plumber they
gave him frightful beating. scuttleo tse
brig, and left him aboard. HOW ne tld'
a raft. was pursued by sharks. sunered
the extreme agonies Of hunger ana tnfs"
was finally picked up, and STRANDED pe
niless, in Singapore. where he founo Won
and saved enough 10 be able to prese".
himself In his usual respectable torh u"
Cochin. were all detailed. -
The thing was amazing, and opinions
were divided. Some thought John ha1
suddenly become crazy, though his actions
outside of his story were sane enough
Others that no Oriental could really DC
trusted and Cinnamon least OF all. Capt.
Phil's wife and children were perhaps not
the best of judges, but they could never
believe John guilty. It was puzzle what
10 do with him, but he was at last sent 20
Hong Kong, where his story seemed 20
have been corroboraed, aud John was
hanged. and duly buried in quickiime.
Can any man of any race show sucn
fidelity for over twenty years. and then
be so treacherous7 Events now occurring
would seem 40 show that we hold differ
ent ideas from some Eastern peoples as
to what is right or wrong
"A newspapers or sheet Of paper tied on
a window or balcony OF a dwelling house