The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1903-05-07
CAPTAIN JIM'S O0URTSHIP
$3.50 BY A. E. RICE, Portland. ..*.*.*


walking up Tenth street, above MOT
rison in the city of Portland.
drizzle or mist, was falling, Out
tbe temperature being mild and as
they were practically, natives, nav
inq lived near to sixteen years In the
"Web-foot State" the men felt no IN
convenience and therefore. paid no at
tention to the moisture.
AS these men play an important par'
In the story, we shall introduce tneH'
CAPTAIN Jim Smeets, orglnaily run
Missouri was about sixty years OF
age. and unmarried. A.
Through steadiness and attention W
duty. he had risen from deck-hanu OF
n river steamer to be captain and mad
accumulated considerable or lot
tune.
He was a tall man with STOPPING
shoulders and apparently a little lame
In both knees. for his walk had shuf-
Ging rickety motion. Thin face. very
red cheeks. thin, grey, pointed chin
wbiskers, small brown eyes, o'ershad-
owed by bushy eyebrows. captain
Tim was dressed" for he had ac-
cepted an invitation to pass the even
ing at his companiou's home. He
wore a black soft hat, black frock coat
and dark trousers. tucked INSIDE
pair of long legged, leather Doots.
The coat had seen few years service.
nevertheless it had a Prince Albert
cut and though a trif1e shady, he be-
Iieved it added dignity to his appear
ance
Captain Jim was a silent man, not
easily duped; but like many other ST.
lent men particularly the elderly I'M
married ones. silently yearned for an
object on whom to confidentially I'M
bosom his pent-up feelings. Such
an one. meeting with a charming
temptress. unconsciously forgets 1is
dignity, and blinded by infatuation to
the most glazing inconsistencies, be
comes entangled in her net and so
well. the story relatestwhat happened
to Captain Jim Smeets.
His companion was also William
cite river steamboat captain, Tom
Webb, Familiarity known as Captain
Tom. He was a Buckeye State man.
about forty-eight years old. Not a bit
dignified, yet little serious at times.
He wore a soft hat short pilot coat
grey trousers. tucked inside long leg
ged leather boots, which were then
quite the thing.
His hands were thrust deep in the
pockets of his coat His teeth grip
ped a short stenmed black pipe, at
which he was pulling away with such
vigor that his hollow cheeks seemed
drawn together.
Captain Tom was not rich. On the
contrary, he appeared to be most
wretchedly hard up. Ever in debt to
those who were impressed with his
busting activity, and also to those
who from fear of injury to their bust
ness, loaned him money. Captain Tom
never let slight pass without punish
ment and the refusal of small loan
he considered the keenest insult. 1t
was a reflection on his honor.
He was naturally an impulsive man,
very restless, with keen blue eyes,
low broad forehead, busby black hair
and full beard pronounced Roman
nose, and ready at any time for any
daring.
Captain Tom had been for one full
minute meditating,-an astonishingly
mood for him,-whether
to bone" his companion for the loan
of a ten then, or wait for chance to
present a more favorable opportunity
during the night, when the current of
his thoughts was interrupted by Cap
tain Jim observing:
"Peers as your house be expecting
company, TOM"
"Shore," replied Captain Tom, look
ing ahead and seeing the windows
lighted up in story and a half cot
tage. some three blocks "'eta~+
"The party is thar, Mans friends
sprisin her. Look sharp. narrer chan
mel here. single board wide. Keep yer
course straight fer tibet one light
ehed."
Arriving near the house, the two
men stood quietly listening to the
banjo and fiddle music that was dis
tinctly heard above the clatter of feet
In the dining room
At length Captain Jim was moved to
remark, They be a tearin' Of them fid-
dies all tew pieces"
Its the barber and his pal a run
ming 'em off fer the wildly. Can't y,
ii out any tew quick fer her nuther,"
responded Captain Tom.
81 shud think SOL" dryly exclaimed
NHplfll Jiul. Il tu SlNiN N'ul'''US -
his companion. he continued: "A
trim craft. be tibet air wilder. Why,
Jim. hers ez stanch ez ever carried
cotton badly treated though by a run
away husband"
"Poor thing"
yep, too bad. Como in"
Upon entering the kitchen. which
they found deserted for the time
Captain Jim, from mere habit. warmed
his hands over the stove, while Cap
tain Tom made straight for the din
Ing room door, which he quietly open
ed, just the least bit. and peered in
at the dancers.
Having satisfied himself. he closed
the door and Joined Captain Jim at
the stove, remarking:
she's right smart tew. Earns her
bread and SuDDorts three chilIun apd