Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1900-04-18
CoprIght. i.13, by ETrtn I5Iardman.

ooooooOo OooOOOoooooOoo
1t was in the East India museum at
Salem. Mass. that | first met my
friend the captain. lie was gazing
reminiscent!y NJ large case of curiOs
which he had brought from Calcutta
ever so many years ago. Fashioned in
Benarcs 10y the cunning haqds of Hin
doc artilicCrs. the exhibit was repre-
sentative OF the ingenious handicraft
or those patient and interchangeable
workers. The glass case ON which his
eyes were fixed mOurnfully and yearn-
ingly reminded him perhaps of Salem's
maritime decadence.
Iu the good old times Salem's clip
pers were the proudest and fastest OF
all the gallant areosics that plowed the
southern ocean. raNely brcasting the
towering seas encountered OF the Cape
of Good Hope when running casting"
down AMI making fast passages out
and home. Then il was that Salem
mad mighty rival IN Boston. and the
fastest vessel picked up the choicest
freight from the Indian Chinese and
ParScc merchants auxiouS TO send by
the Smartcst ship their soft and gleam-
ing silks. their fragrant teas and aro-
matte spices and all the other fantastic
products OF their OLD and storied coun-
tries TO the new and rising nation or
the Occident.
don't know how IL was that | came
TO be ON speaking terms with my
friend the captain. There is kind OF
Frcemasonry among those who fol-
low or have followed that cruel and
capricious mistress. the sea. for a
livelihood that frequently amounts to
magnetic attraction. just as two
ships In the doldrums. without a breath
Of air blowing or an inch OF current
running. gradually will approach each
other. coming nearer and nearer. until
eventually df the calm continues they
drift close alongside each other and Ell
ther collide or exchange friendly cour-
tesics.
In the same mystCriouSly magnetic
way the captain and ! drifted together
and became good chums. He was a
striking personality. Although past
his L.sViiCtn year. his eyes had not lost
their fire. Above the average height
of man. lac lowered erect IN spite Of
his burden of days, and his white hair.
eyebrows and beard were in striking
contrast 10 his mahogany complexion,
tanned 10y many tropical suns. lie had
a powerful Roman nose. q short upper
lip AMI massive lower jaw. denoting
dogSci determination and an obstinate
Will
lie was clad in the costume affected
hy mariucrS half century agO-a blue
coat and waiSicoat with brass buttons,
trousers OF snowy duck, a white shirt
and well stnrchcd choiler. On his
crisp thatch OF Slistening silver hair
he wore an easy hat OF felt.
Ii had an irresistible fascination for
him. he said. that quaint old museum
at Salem. There he spent much Of his
time. II reminded him of his past. An
old East India skipper feeds always n
longing 10 revisit the scenes of his
earlier triumphs.
The captain lived in a delightful cot
taer DutSidc the town. far from the
maddcning clang of the trolley car
gong sweet. old fashioned dwelling
Of red brick. with clematis. honey
suckle and trumpet vine shading it's
spacious vcranda. There with an old
colOrcd manservant whom he had
bought from slave ship and who re-
fused TO be liberated. he kept bach
eior's hall. Many quaint and bar
barrie dish did the old slave cook for
us-highly seasoned Indian curries and
dishes savorIng OF the Kongo. whence
he had been stolen by Spaniards In his
youth.
One evening over a bowl OF punch. in
which Medford rum and fragrant lines
we're the chief ingredients. the captain
unhosomed himself TO me- He said he
was hIunicd by the memory OF one
sin which nc had committed and which
he was afraid might make things go
hard with him on the day Of judg
ment. He said he had rcpented bitter
~ Of his crime. which was done In
moment Of anger. and he thought he
would Ike to have the views of anoth
or old salt rs to whether hc was justi-
hcd In the drowning Of two sailors.
You could have Knocked me down
with feather when the captain thus
gave me his confidence. This kindly
old gentleman with distinguished man.
ners. Reu"rous Instincts. leading a
eaitp. pnrc hfr. murderer! Never!
thought A. RQrhanS ha fa tho Victim