Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1903-08-21

CHAPTER XIV CoNTINUED)
His way now led towards the river
side regions, and a cleansing Whit of
tar was to be detected in the stagnant
autumn air. Men with the blue jersey
and peaked cap of the boatman, or the
white duck of the lockers, began TO re-
place the corduroys and fustlan OF the
laborers Shops with nautical instru-
ments in the windows, rope ana pant
sellers, and slop shops with long rows
of oilskins dangling from hooks, all
proclaimed the neighborhood OF the
docks The Admiral quickened his pace
and Strengthened his figure as ms sur
roundings became more nautical, until
at last, peeping between two hgh,
dingy wharfs, he caught glimpse Oh
the mud-oolored waters OF the Ihames'
and of the bristle of masts and tunnels
which rose from its broad bosom. 10
the right lay quiet street, with many
brass plates upon either side, ana wire
blinds in all the windows. The Au-
miral walked slowly down it until Ine
Saint Lawrence Shipping Company
caught his eye. He crossed the road,
pushed open the door, and found MN
self in a low-ceilinged office, with
number of wooden sections of ships
stuck upon boards and plastered all
over the walls.
'Is Mr.. Henry in?" asked the Admiral.
mo. sir" answered an elderly man
from high seat in the corner. He has
not come into town to-day. l can man
age any business you may wish seen TO-
You don't happen TO have first or
second officers place vacant, do you!
The manager looked with dubious
eye at his singular applicant
DO you hold certifcates?" he asked
"I hold every nautical certificate
there is
Then you won't do for u.s."
''Why not?"
"Your age, SIR"
ct give you my word that can see as
well as ever, and am as good man
in every way"
IT don't doubt it."
"Why should my age be a bar, then?'
well, must put it plainly Ii man
of your age, holding certificates, has
not got past a second officers berth,
there must be black mark against him
somewhere. 1 don't know what 1t is,
drink or temper, or want of Judgment,
but something there must be-
81 assure you there is nothing, but L
find myself stranded, and SO have TO
turn to the old business again
"Oh, that's it," said the manager,
with suspicion in his eye. How long
were you in your last Billet!
''Fifty-one years"
What"
.syas sir one-aud-fifty years."
I'm the same employ"
Eyes"
.sWhy, you must have begun as a
child"
IT was twelve when joined"
cit must be a strangely managed |
business" said the manager. (which al
lows men to leave it who have served
for fifty years, and who are still as good
as ever Whom did you server
1.-THE Queen. Heaven bless herr
"Oh, you were in the Royal navy.
What rating did you hoid?'
II am Admiral of the Fleet"
The manager started, and sprang
down from his high stool.
my name is Admiral Hay Denver.
There is my card. And here are the
records of my service. 1 don't, you I'M
derstand, want to push another man
from his billet; but If you should chance
to have a berth open, should be very
glad of It, I know the navigation from
the Cod Banks right UP to Montreal a
great deal better than l know the streets
of London"
The astonished manager glanced over
the blue papers which his visitor had
handed him Wont you take chair,
said he.
THANK you'll But should be obliged
II you would drop my title now. I told
you because you asked me, but I've left
the quarter deck, and am plain Mr.. Hay
Denver now"
May 1 ask" said the manager, "are
You the same Denver who commanded
It one time on the North American sta
tioH?'
IT did."
Then IT was you who got one of our
boats, the Comus, off the rocks in the
Bay OF Fundy? The directors voted
rou three hundred guineas as salvage,
Ind you refused them"
TT was an offer which should not have !
,een made" said the Admiral sternly.
well, It reflects credit upon you that /
rou should think so. If Mr.. Henry were
,efe l am sure that he would arrange
his matter for you at once. AS 1T is, {
hall lay it before the directors to-day, ,
md 1 am sure that they will be proud I
o have you in our employment, and.
rope, In some more suitable position 1
han that which you suggest" I
II am very much obliged to ~ou. W, !" '