Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1901-07-02

you've Slave0 narQ
enough as mate" Kettle went on.
you've sweated and slaved so much
that your clothes hang on you like a
slOp chest shirt on a stanchion just
now. But you'll fill 'em out nicely by
the time you get back to England
again, my lad"
The pair of them liked one another
well, but the ties of discipline had
kept them icily apart up to now. Muir
rays promotion put them on an equal
footing of grade.
Running the Parakeet doesn't seem
to have made you very plump, skip
per-"
Constitutional. guess" said Kettle.
81 don't believe the foods grown thatd
make me carry flesh. I'm one OF those
men that were sent into the world with
a whole shipload Of bad luck to work
through before l came across any OF
the soft things"
"You haven't much to grumble at
now," said Murray cheerfully. Here
am I kicking you out Of the command
of the Parakeet, to be sure. And why!
Because while you've been her old man
you've made her pay so well that the
firms saved enough to buy O bigger
ship. They're naturally going to give
her to you to scare up more fat divi-
dends. Lord" said Murray, hitting his
knee, 1.-The chaps on board here will be
calling me the old man. behind my
back now"
you'll get used to hearing the title
said Kettle grimly, "before you make
your pile. You'll get married, sup
pose, on the strength Of the promotion.
I saw a girls photo nailed up in your
room."
The new captain nodded. "Got en-
gagged when l passed for my masters
,ticket. Arranged to be hitched so soon
as found u ship. Well, suppose you
20 straight home by mail from Alden
here?"
Hello! Haven't they told your"
'My letter was only the dry, formal
announcement that you were promoted
to the new ship and was to take over
the Parakeet."
"They don't waste their typewriter
In the office. l suppose they thought
I'd hand on my letter if saw fit. Read
through that" said Kettle and handed
across his news. This Is how II ran:
Dear Captain Kettle-Having noted from your
cables and reports you are making good thing
for us out OF tramping the Parakeet, we have
pleasure in transferring you to our new boat
which is now building on the Clyde. She will be
$500 tons, and we may take out passenger certif.
cate Your wage on her will be G2l per month.
with 2h per cent commission, as before, but for
the present, till this new boat is finished. we
want you to give over command Of the Parakeet to
Murray and take on new job. Our Mr.. Alexander
Bird has recently bought the wreck Of the steam
ship Grecian. and sending out steamer
with divers and full equipment to get the salvage
We wish you to go on board this vessel to watch
over our interests. We give you full control and
have notified Captain Tazzuchi, at present in com.
mand, to this effect.
birds are getting on" said Murray.
"But I've big doubts about three new
boats all ut one bite. One they might
manage ON a mortgage. But three? l
don't think it. Old keys too eau
tious."
"Messrs. Bird are your owners anu
mine," said Kettle significantly.
"Oh," said the newly made captain,
"I'm not one of your old fashioned sort
that thinks an owner little tin god!'
"My view is" said Kettle, "that your
owner pays you and so Is entitled to
your respect so long as he is your own
er, but you've got such big notion Of
your own rights that we're not likely