Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1902-02-13
HOw Jimmy Captured
a 1900 Ton Tramp B
BY PERcIB W. KART
are very nice. my boy"
remarked the old merchant. as

he handed the charter-party copies
back 10 young Jimmy Evans. 81 like
10 see them done 80 neatly and ruled
50 correctly. Little things like that
add greatly to the reputation OF our
Office. Keep on as you're doing, and
we'll see II we can't make first
class ship broker out OF you"
The lads face flushed crimson
with mixed pleasure and embarrass-
ment, and. saying nothing, which was
u very good answer under the cir
cumstances. he hastened back to his
tall desk.
"Gee-whillikensl" calculated Ralph
Connor, after Mr. Greenland had left
the Office, i've been here over year
now. and the old man has never
given me any such dose of taffy in
the whole time"
Good reason why" growled the
elderly Office manager, who could not
help OyerhcarinR the conversation Of
the two lads. "You take a whole day
to make one set OF copies, what with
tearing up expensive blanks and be-
ginning again, and even then they're
80 smudgy and blurred that it's all
one can do TO read, let alone admire
them. The trouble with you. Ralph
Connor, il that you don't understand
the meaning of what you are writing
You go at II just as il you were a
parrot. Young Evans has pretty
nearly bothered the life out OF me by
asking questions. but | will say that
he seems To profit by what he is
told"
'I'm sure. I'm very much obliged,
Mr.. Wnldron, for all your kindness
to me-" said Jimmy. "I know that
! owe a great"
"Oh, It's all right" interrupted the
manager. "Come over here and
check Off these commission accounts
with me-"
Al the close of this lengthy task,
young Jimmy fdgeted about a mo-
ment or two, and then said:
"Mr. Waldron. may | ask"
Ralph Connor, over at the next
desk, commenced TO snicker and
work one arm like a pump handle.
The office manager turned on his
high stool 10 glare at the humorist,
and then back to Jimmy, merely say
ing; "Well?"
"Er-mny ! ask" repeated the boy,
nervously, may | nsk why Mr.. Gren-
hard is so excited about not getting
this 2,00O-ton steamer charter"
Cant get the steamer" replied
the Office manager, without turning
around
But there are lots Of them In the
harbor," persisted the youth. why,
! saw dozens. when | came over In
the fcrryboat from Jersey this morn
ing"
ayes, I dare say; but they're all
either liners or ready chartered" D"
said Mr.. Waldron. tussing with some
documents AS he spoke "You soc,
the war in South Africa has made n
great scarcity In tramp steamships
az New York, as well MS other ports.
The British government is using q
great many in its Transport service.
I'll venture 60 say there are dozen
firms ready to snap up just such u
ship as We want the moment she ar
riyes. | don't suppose you really
know what a tramp steamer Is"
"No. SIR" said Jimmy, 81 do not.
I've always lived inland until we
came here, and am not posted on any
kind Of shipping, very much; but now
that I'm in the business, I'm going
TO learn all | cAn about them"
That's right" returned the man
ngcr, admiringly, Here's little
pointer for you. now. A tramp
steamship is one belonging 60 no
regular line. hut seeking cargoos
from one port to another. wherever
she can get them"
And we have an ordcr 20 charter
a 2,ooo-ton tramp steamship. and
have not been able to find one as
yct2" inquired the lad.
Just so," asscntod Mr.. Waldron;
but what makes the thing worse IT,.
this order comes from our biggest
customer, and he declares that unless
we can secure the charter for him
10y tomorrow morning. he will take
his business 10 another ship broker
age concern"
"Whcwl" whistled Jimmy. dole
fully
$50 J shouldn't wonder II we lost
our biggest account" went on MIR.
Wnldron, sArdonically.
'I'ut such tramp steamer may
come into the harhor by tomorrow
morninE," spoke M Jimmy. eagerly.
"Ncs, Nut II It should. how can we
hc sure VI getting hers The mart
time exchange serves us all alike in
the matter OF reporting arrivals.
Othcr brokers have thc same show as
We do.' oNserved the manager. And
he concluded hy uodding his head
significantly, over toward the piled
up work on the iunior clerks desk.
Late that afternoon. Jmmy left
the office and hnstened toward his
suburban home. In going to the
ferry, Dee had 10 pass along a portion
of West street, and became very
much excited ON uot.ctur "a certain
craft in the North river The vessel
was heading iushore, oul, evidently.
was about 60 come ulancsilc OF A
dock. Any lonFshorrwoo. aud half
OF the city hudluhhrrs. could have
told at glance that she was prl.
vate yacht, but Jimmy sever asked.
lie was possessed with the Insane
idea that she was u trtnp steamer
just arriving The question OF her
rrohable tonnage bothered him.
'l'm sure | can't guess whether she