The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1902-01-28
On Different
TackS -
A Story of the Inordiuate
Appetite Of the British Seaman
BY ArHOL FORBES.

James Forster. skipper of the brig
Jane. and William Robinson. skipper
of the three masted schooner Sally. sat
very snugly in the Indian King. on the
Yarmouth quay. They. puffed their
long churchwardens and discussed two
topics Of unending interest-rhe merits
of their respective vessels and the mu-
tinous character OF their crews.
Il tell you. furnished apartments In
the garden O. Eden wouldn't satisfy
'em." said james Forster. "Blowed II
they wouldn't want somethink more.
Sailors o. today are the dirtiest. mu-
finest lot o scallywags on the face o
the EARTH
The sea sarvice Is not what ii used
| TO be-" replied his friend. If man
or boy set up his lip to the cap'n in my
prentice days. why. that man or boy
carried a remembrancer u II to his
grave. Now. the other week on the
homeward y'y'ge | had to hit man
with handspike. and what does the
bloomin' skunk go and do but sum-
mons me. and the fule o a magistrate
lines me f5 and said as how ! had no
business to hit man with hand
spike. ! says to him. Your worship.
there was nothink else handy to hit
him with But. no; the pigheaded old
fule wouldn't bulge an inch. You just
pay the fine he says. or seven days
Fancy threatenin' q skipper with sew
/ en- days choky. Pahr' And he struck
l n match viciously and relighted his
pipe.
Yes. things is goin' to the dogs with
| a vengeance. Before long we shall have
10 provide the men for'ard with feather
| beds. scented soap. turtle soup and
| fancy biscuits. That's what things is
| comm to. but it's the fault of the board
| of trade"
Its my honest opinion you might
| give my crew toasted angels and then
they'd grumble." replied Robinson.
We'll. for the sake O. peace and
quietness always gives 'em delicacy
now and again. You see, I'm not so
young as l was. and fightin' 'em takes
is out o. me and upsets the owners"
"What do you mean by delicacy?"
demanded his friend.
why. for example. here In Yarmouth
always lays In a cask of herrin's
whenever comes. Ii pleases 'em. and
\ it saves the stores. At the same time
gets the credit O. bein' a better skip
per than most And he laughed at the
idea. For about 3 or shillin's you
can get a barrel of red herrin's. but you
| save quite f3 or "a on the victuals for
.hs v'y'ge."
II don't mind buyin' 'em twenty bar
rels of herrin' If the beggars would
only be grateful-Only be satisfied for
once In their dirty lives"
"Ah," said the other. you'll never get
that. Gratefulness Is thing quite un-
beknown to 'em."
well, I'll try the herrin' dodge aud
see how 1t answers. Where can | get
EN-"
Look here. I'll be ordarin' mine to-
morrow. SO I'll order yours at the same
time. and we can settle up when we
meets In un'erland. The night tide
suppose:"
Yes. If the wind holds. we hope to
get away then. Come. one more glass
/ uuu tucu ! Ill Ou
Half an hour later the two men rolled
out or the inn and took their way along
the quay to their respective ships. A
number OF vessels, much alike. lay In
tiers. but q special Providence seemed
to guide these two men to their several
lrharges. Save for an occasional spra "
over a warp here or post there they
managed to make their way without
mishap.
Captain Forster's ship was lying out
| side that commanded by Robinson. bu
the latter stood by until he heart
Alright" which announced that hi
| friend was safely aboard his own yes
, sci. Then he went below. For few
minutes he sat on q locker in the evil
close smelling cabin, that reeked of TO
tbaccO and rum. looking vacantly int
the fire. wondering whether he coult
drink another glass OF spirits and still
be able to get into his bunk withou
calling the mate With a sigh he cam
to the conclusion that TO take NOR
, | would mean the loss of steerage way
so with many grlints he managed 4
get of his elastic side boots and the
| with a satisfied snort rolled into be-
by making one dive into the little state
room. Next night saw the two brig
dropping down with The tide. the tw
: shippers fresh and rosy and their re
!, spective crews busily engaged In mai
: ing sail.
Now. when the cask of behring's ra 10
t aboard the Sally the opinion of th
Q forecastle differed as to Its destinatio
d and purpose.
= IFS present for his missus ts noot
" wink her over the old sinners latest.
e said No. ! with significant grin.
Maybe it's for the owners" remarl
ed another.
The cask stood on end amidshIps. an
each time man went below he ca:
longing eyes at the barrel. and whe
he came on deck again ii was the tiri
= object he looked for.
THE bloOmn' old cut raisin NEAR
maxim a profit ont o. EN-" said the se
ond mate. who lived forward: buy
y 'em here at three a penny or less IN
sells 'em up north at penny each"
However. while they were at tea. a
II, speculation was set at rest 10y the ski
,de per. who thrust his head down the for
l. castle hatchwny. There's some re
Yarmouth reds in that cask amidship
and you can help yourselves, lads. Ii
just q bit delicacy like for you as ! WI
, persuaded to get"
Strange to SAP there was no reply