Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1902-12-30
, F any one announced in the cap
tains' room at Halletts that a
man could leave that sanctum

YF any one announced in the cap
tains' room at Halletts that a
IL man could leave that sanctum
shortly before turning out time
and be forthwith kidnapped in the open
streets of South Shields. every master
| mariner within hearing would have
put him down contemptuously as a
gratuitous liar. All opinions in the
captains room were expressed strong
ly and with due maritime force of Ian
guage.
The place seemed to its freQuenters
the embodiment of homeliness and Sc
curity. There was faint smell of var
nish in the atmosphere and always had
been within the memory of the oldest
habitue, and shipmaSters came back to
the odor with sigh Of pleasure as
men Go return TO the neighborhood OF
an old and unobtruSive friend Captains
met in that room who traded in all
parts of the globe. talked and soon
found acQuaintances in common. II
was a sort of informal club. with no
subscription and an unlimited member
ship. The holding of masters tick
It" was the only entrance qualification.
and it was not considered polite to ask
your neighbor whether he was at that
moment in or out of employment
Ii YOU were a genuine master mari
per. but Of an unclubbable disposition.
you did not go to the captains room at
Hallett's second time. and always
made point Of getting rather red ana
speaking of it rather contemptuously
when the place was mentioned after
ward. If you did not hold masters
ticket, even II you were that dashiHg
thing. newly fedged mate. the bar
maiden on guard spotted you on the
instant and said. That door is rri.
vate." and directed you to the smoke
room down the passage.
Into this exclusive chamber Captain
Owen Kettle had made his way that
day after tea and over two modest ha!f
pints OF bitter beer had done his share
in the talk and listening from till
1880 Of the clock. He had exchanged
views with other shipmaStcrS OH car
goes. crews. assurances, climates ana
those other professional matters which
the profane world not in the shipping
interest finds SO dreary. and had been
listened to with Difference. He waS 4
man who commanded attention. and.
though you might not like what he
said, you would not dream of refusing
to listen to it.
That special night, however, Captain
Kettles personal views on maritime af-
fairs were listened TO with even more
Difference than usual. \ large. red
haired man swung into the captains
room some few minutes after Captain
Kettle had seated himself. and after or
dering his beverage and cigar nodded
with a whimsical! smile in Kettles di-
rection and asked him how he liked the
neighborhood of Valparaiso as resi-
dence.
81 forget" said the little sailor, dryly
enough
IAN right. captain" said the red
haired man. Don't you mind me. |
never remember too much myself
either. Only you did me good turn
out there. although you probably don't
know it. and I'd be proud if you'd have
drink or u smoke with me now in re-
membrance."
You're very polite. captain
Don't mention it, captain" said the
red haired man. and he struck the bell.
Same? Half pint of bitter, please.
miss, and one of your best fourpenny
smokes"
The general talk Of the captains
room. which had halted for the mo-
ment went on again, One worthy
mariner had recently failed to show a
clean bill of health in Barcelona anu
had been sent to do twenty days pen
ance at the quarantine station. which
Is in Port Mahon. Minorca. As natu-
raj consequence. he wanted to give his
views OH Spain and Spanish govern
ment with length and bitterness. but
somehow the opportunity was denied
him. The red haired man put In sen
tence or two and Il question. and II was
Kettles views on the question 10 which
the captains room found itself listen
ing. A salvage matter was brought up
by stout gentleman in the Baltic TIM
Der trade who was anxious to air ms
sentiments, but the red haired man
skillfully interviewed. and kettle on
salvage" was asked for and heard.
And SO on all through the evening.
The red haired man did his work clev-
erly. and no Que resented it
Now, Kettle was a man who liked
being listened to. and there is no doubt
that his vanity was tickled by all this
Difference from his professional equals.
There Is no doubt also that the snug
security of Hallett's lulled his usual
sense Of wariness. which may in part
account for what happened afterward.
And So without further excuse for
him. 1t is my painful duty to record
lQAl I'LL uOuI dltcI iSit IAS S&Peoaho
room the little sailor was entrapped
and kidnapped by what to man Of his
knowledge was one of the most vulgar
Of artifces.
He emptied his tumbler, stood up and
said he must be going. The red haired
man looked at the round cabin clock
on the wall and mentioned that 1t was
his time also and together they went
outside into the damp. dark main
street Of South Shields.
Going back to your ship. captain"
asked the big stranger.
"Why. no. captain" said Kettle. u
i've here. and I'm of home"
"Then l suppose | must say good
night. Hope to meet you again. though
What boat are you on now, captain"
well. I'm putting in bit Of spell
ashore just now. captain. Fact is.
|