The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-10-20
PRESUMPTION.

From The Sketch:
They presume" said the captain, 1--WE
seen them in many parts of the world and
they presume" We were talking of wo-
men.
the quay at Navoe Port, just below St.
Petersburg. and he had invited me on
board for a final smoke and drink before
turning into my cabin on the adjacent
ship. The captain had ample quarters be-
low. The cabin was perhaps 80 feet long
with a table running down the middle and
cubices thanking it. For this was one of
the steamers that hesitated between cargo
and passengers. The cargo won and this
saloon which is now the captain S cabin,
wherein he usually sits alone, is the only
reminder of the contest At one end of
the long table the whisky was placed by a
respectful boy: the captain, from one Of
the side cubieles, had brought box of
cigars. Now he leaned back in his swivel
chair. blue eyed with white beard close
cropped, and the unmistakable air of au-
thOrlty that every sea captain acquires
when he is on his owl ship. And as he
twisted his cigar in his mouth he repeated
that they presumed.
I was thinking of the last time I came
TO Petersburg" he said. There was an
instance You know these steamers ofS-a
bring over small parcels. Christmas pres
ents and so on, between Petersburg and
London-owners' friends, you see. 1t saves
postage and packing, and all that. Well,
I'd made out to clear from Milwall dock
at I in the morning, and there was
matter of half a dozen little things that
bad come down from the Shipping Office
that I'd slowed in one of these cabins.
lightship, early Sunday morning, l left
the bridge and came down for a wash, and
there on the table. just where your glass
is. was big package-a sort of box IT
had a name on it, Mrs. Fleetwood, ST.
Petersburg. TIE be called for!' That. was
the first I'd seen of it. And when l made
inquiries. the only thing l could find out
was that some one had brought it on
board al the last moment. The right thing
to do would be to pitch it into the North
sea. But it struck me that it might be
| some friend OF the owners that I'd never
heard of. so / gave orders for rhe box to
be slowed in the corner of the saloon, over
there. where l could keep my eye on It.
Many a time as | sat in this chair watch
ing that box. l half determined to chuck
| it overheard I didn't see why / should
be turned into common carrier to please
Mrs. Fleetwood. whoever she was. Be
| against conveying mysterious parcels into
Russia. Well. ] am not a nervous man. as
a rule, but that box in the corner began
to get on my nerves as we came up the
Cronstadt I had the box out ready to drop
over the side. I wished afterward L had
/ But I was nervous about keeping it, and
nervous about getting rid of it. if you I'M
/ derstand."
The captain pushed the decanter toward
me and then measured himself another
( dose.
Next morning" he continued when
we'd berthod at NOvOe Port. and the stew
| odore had set his men to work on the car
/ steamer up to the Nicholas bridge to call
/ on the agents In fact, I'd got my foot on
/ the quay, when a drOschky drove up
| alongside with a girl. A fine GIRL quiet.
you know, but-s Well, you should have
/ seen the way she told the .'vorshix' 70
wait. That's what we call cabmen in Rus
| STA, know.
" I wish to see the captain she said.