The National tribune., 1902-01-23

found little Johnny WOlfenden playing
jackstones with brother apprentice.
beckoned to him and he came quickly up.
Boy" said Dewey quietly, run down
and find the Master-at-Arms, and tell him
that l want Williams brought up here
from the brig. Williams was Captain of
the main-tOp, but had been thrust into
the brig the day before for drunkenness.
In short time the caravan appeared.
First the Master alarms, then the sheep
ish-looking petty officer. Two Ships Cor
porals brought up the rear.
"A model Captain Of the Top!' sneered
Dewey. why, sir" continued Dewey,
pected to be a model of sObriety to your
men, not leader in their crimes"
Il couldn't help it, sir; sure couldn't
/ was perishing with cold, and some one
offered NE swallow of whisky"
WHO offered you:' broke i'll Dewey.
Williams hitched up his trousers.
thumbed his cap nervously, gave himself
a half hitch to starboard, and said sui
lenly:
Il dunno, sir; twas too dark to see the
mate who passed it,
THAT is not true. Williams You are
shielding your men in their wrong doing.
| This only cOnvinces me that l am right
in my belief that you are unworthy Of
your place. man to control others must
first control himself. | shall disrate you,
sir Take off that eagle and get your sta
tion rs seaman from the Ships Writer
here"
The man humbly touched his cap and
sidled up to me. | hastily made ont Il
little memorandum billeting him on the
fOrecaStle, to save him the modification
OF working with his former subOrdinates,
and he skunk off.
Dewey sat quiet for Il few moments,
and then called out:
You. boy, Run up to the Officer of
the Deck and ask him TO please pass the
word for Michael Mccarthy and have
him report to me ut once"
In about five minutes thereafter n short
why, rcd-faccd lad with pair Of rowing
restless. steel-Sray eyes came StridIng
down the deck in our direction, walking
with quick, nervous, jerky gait. Mike
weighed about I'D pounds, and at first
glance would not be deemed very formid
able, but study of his cat-like, springy
step and rapid movements made it evi-
dent that he could hold his own in the
turbulent crowd in the main-top, where
lie was stationed.
How different the Mccarthy of today.
Mike is now Mr.. William Mccarthy. pro-
pIietor of Il large sailor boarding-houSe in
San Francisco. Mir. Mccarthy is rotund
of person, with full, round. swelling
checks, and with symptoms of Il double
chin. Clothed III the hight of fashion,
Mr. Mccarthy furnishes model for an
excellent picture of Then and Now"
Taking off his cap with nervous
swing. the newcomer gave a sort of
shuttle that stood for bow, and then
said:
I'm Mccarthy, if you please, sir"
'Ah, yes; and you're an able scaihan
in the main-tOp!" said Dewey in the low
pitched, purring tone he adopted when
he wanted. to be particularly gracious.
Yes, sir; III the main-top. sir" re-
turned Mac, twiddling his cap in an awl-
ward way.
Kind of Il rough crowd. it would seem:
what's the matter with the men there:r
Matter, sir: Nnthin' the matter wild
'em; they do be little frisky sometimes,
but they're all dead game
Yes, they do good work when they
want to-" said Dewey, suggestively.
"Oh,, yes, sir; they beat the deck when
they git a-Soin'."
There was silence for moment, dur
ing which time Dewey studied Mae from
head to foot. Suddenly he Strengthened
himself up and said:
Mccarthy, I'm going to make you Cap
tain Of the Maintop." This was said
with the lOrdly air of one handing out a |
grand prize in big lottery, or a diamond
badge.
Mccarthy started; he shifted his posi-
ton from one leg TO another; grew still !
deeper red in the face, and made some
circles with his cap.
IF you please Mister Dewey" he said |
at length. hesitatingly, 'I'd-I'd rather |
stay wild de boys"
What; not want the rating?" asked |
Dewey, staring as if he could not believe |
his own ears.