Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-01-24
WANTED TO GET AWAY

Wnen man wants to get away rom
chicago he wants no get away from Chi
cago real bad-ean you blame him?" said
treasury Special agent. This story is
not about myself. however. but about an
other man who waseager to get away from
Chicago, and so I've got no right to indulge
myself in any fancy cracks about the sooty
big town on Lake Michigan.
Il was in Chicago last summer when my
chief wired me that I'd better take my va
cation immediately if 1 had any idea OF
getting any Vacation at all during the year
1902. So l decided to make trip on the
lakes. I had heard about the fun and COM
fort Of voyaging on the lakes on the
freight boats instead Of on the regular pas
senger steamers. and SO 1 went down to
the Chicago river to see a skipper OF lake
freight vessel with whom was acquainted.
His boat was to start on a letsurely trip to
Buffalo on the following afternoon. and
made arrangements with him for the ride
to Buffalo.
II was still talking with the skipper on
board his boat when q stout, good-looking
chap, man Of thirty or SO. with very
intelligent face and business-like air,
stepped over the gangway and addressed
the captain.
Grew all signedY he asked the skipper,
who sized the young fellow up, and then
scratched his chin some.
why, are you thinking Of shipping?'
inquired the captain.
"'Wouldn't mind having a billet for the
trip to Buffalo" said the young fellow:
Well, maybe l could use another man
at the Wheel said the captain. Are you
anything of a wheelman?
|''My main clutch, SIR replied the young
fellow.
know the lakes? asked the captain.
Allow and aloft, sir was the reply
well, you can bring your dunnage
aboard. then said the skipper. need an
other hand at the wheel. We're getting out
of here for Buffalo at four bells tomorrow
afternoon. Want to come on board today"
AYE, aye, SIR replied the young fellow
1.-THE stout young man, who was pretty
well dressed, l had noticed, for a mariner
did not come on board until the following
morning, however. 1 had already boarded
the vessel myself when he walked up the
gangplank, and l was talking to the skip
per when he made his appearance and re-
ported.
All right, my man. said the captain to
the new hand. you'd better turn in and
bunk of for watch or so-you'll take the
mid-watch, and I'll use you to take her out
of the river
Aye. aye, SIR said the new hand-and
thought 1 detected a rather humorous
CLEAN In his eye.
He went below and sat in at the Off
GERS mess for dinner, and then he turned
In for an hour or SO. He was routed out
to take his trick at the wheel when the
lines were ready to be cast off. was on
Iu6 pTluS0 WnSn the young I0llOW SHiuueu
up the bridge ladder and reported to the
skipper in the pilot house.
The word was given. the lines were cast
of. and the young fellow took clutch on
the wheel.
lizard aport!' the skipper bawled at
the new hand at the wheel when the screw
began to revolve.
"'How is that, sir? inquired the young
man. wearing a cheerful grin.
Hard aport!' the skipper bawled at
him again.
Keeping hold on the wheel, the young
man gazed into the shippers countenance
"'What do you mean when you say that
sir?' II. -loi
THE captain was at the wheel in two
jumps iu
I thought you said you were wheel
man! fne shouted at the new hand.
II thought you meant could I ride
bike! amiably replied the stout young
man, and at this the skipper turned the
wheel over to one of the officers who ap-
peared on the bridge just then and incon-
tfnently booted the new hand down the
bridge ladder.
1.-The young fellow looked quite as if~he
had been expecting this outcome. I Joined
him few minutes later where he was
squatted up z forward on the lower deck
looking contented enough, and asked him
what his idea had been in telling the skip
per that he was Sailor-man, proficient at
the wheel. -
Just wanted to get out of Chicago,
that's ALL he replied. regarding me bland
ly. Have been on the blink in Chicago for
a couple Of months. Couldn't nail a job.
Wanted to get back to Buffalo. where my
folks live, and couldn't see this thing Of
riding blind baggage or a brake beam.
So. framed 1t up this way. Maybe the
main guy. motioning his head in the d.
rection of the bridge where the skipper
was. will chuck me overheard presently
but anyhow. I'm out Of Chicago, amt II
THE young fellows manner was pleas
ing and / liked hiH I No
little dig necessary to pay his fare to Buff
falo on the boat. He made an entertaining
companion on the trip. and on the day at
ter We arrived in Buffalo he made good to
me the disbursement l had made for his
ride from Chicago.
But there's no use in talking man who
wants to get away from Chicago wants to
a whole lot" r