The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1901-06-21

inshore. and evidently was about to
come alongside Of a dock. Any long
shoreman, and half Of the city landlub-
bers, could have told at n glance that
she was a private yacht, but Jimmy
never asked. He was possessed with
the insane idea that she was a tramp
steamer, Just arriving. The question
OF her probable tonnage bothered him.
I'm sure I can't guess whether she
Is Of two or ten thousand tons" he
muttered, desperately.
But putting this detail aside for a
moment the lad lodged his way across
the street, in and out among the reck.
lessly driven teams entered the freight
shed, very much out Of breath, and
waited for the craft TO make her land
ing This was accomplished In short
order, and scarcely had the gang plank
| touched the wharf before Jimmy was
running up It. very nearly bowling
over portly individual who was about
| TO commence the descent.
"Well young man." began the latter,
| n triHe brusquely. as he staggered
back from the shock Of the encounter.
what are you trying to do? Knock
me"
"Please, -er-captain-excuse my
haste, but are you a tramp?-er-that
| Is. your vessel | mean-is she a tramp
steamship interrupted the excited
| youth.
"Heyr snorted the other. wonder
ingly.
Because, II she IL, / can offer you n
| nse charter" went on the guilcless
Jimmy. that is-er-if your boat does
| not run much over two thousand tons"
BLESS me! The boy must be crazy"
exclaimed the portly individual.
IF I'm right in my guess that this
vessel is two-thousand.to tramp
steamer, and | do hope l am. you
really must give our firm the chance
of chartering her." ratified on the en-
thusiastic youth.
What Is the name of your firm"
queried the other. commencing TO be
interested by the lads combination Of
ignorance and earnestness.
Greenland q Co, one of the oldest
and best In our line" declared Jimmy,
proudly.
And what share may you have in
the tirm?" questioned the elderly
man.
"Me? oh. I'm only a junior clerk.
the lowest in the office. l suppose |
really ought to be called the crrand
boy. but Mr. Waldron--"
IF the office boy oe the concern runs
around hunting up steamships for
charter. wonder what duties the head
of the firm reserves for himself?" com.
mented the portly individual, much
amused.
But you have not answered my
question yet" put In Jimmy, fearing
that he was not making good i'm
preston. IL don't mind telling you
that IL Is a very important matter for
us. Unless we make this charter by
tomorrow morning we shall lose our
biggest customer"
Dear me. dear me-" cried the other.
that's too bad,-after all your exer-
tions, too"
Then you're not two-thousand-
tramp steamer" queried the boy, with
n falling infection In his voice,
mo. only a 100000 steam yacht"
replied the portly individual, gravely,
but | like your spirit, and I'll tell you
| what we might do. We might help
you to find what you're looking for"
Jimmy was overcome by the friendly
tones of the other and stood abashed,
but secretly hopeful
Captain Patterson" called the
other. beckoning grizzled old sailor
| to his side this young man Is In
search of an incoming tramp steamer
of about 2000 tons, that may be open
for charter. See II you can help him
out. won't need the yacht again till
late tomorrow"
AYE. aye. sir" replied the mariner,
touching his cap with n forehnger, and
speaking as IL such an order was moth
ing out of the common way.
"And. by the bye. young man." said
the portly individual, interrupting
Jimmy's torrent of thanks. and turn
ing to descend the gang plank; you
would better send a telegram to your
people. so that they won't be worried
should you be absent over night"
And away he went to a waiting cab.
with an attendant valet and two sail
ors loaded down with small luggage.
After having followed the suggestion
of the thoughtful yacht owner Jimmy
returned aboard. the gang plank was
taken in. hawsers cast OF. and the lit
tie steamship departed upon her odd
mission. steaming directly down the
great New York Bay. aud into the
open sea.
On the following morning the senior
partner OF Greenland x Co. showed
some anxiety in his face as he entered
the office.
, where's EvansT he demanded
! looking over at the unoccupied desk.
mot here yet. sir" chirped Ralpl
; Connor
= "sick. guess" growled the offic'
, manager
{ well. well. hope not" returne,