Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1904-09-09
Delights Of Old Acquaintance.

The writer has always regarded it as
one OF the GROWING joys of life to meet
an old-time friend. possibly after sep
aration OF years, and indulge in mutu-
al retrospect of times, friends and &C.
currences of "Auld Lang Syne." 1t
was his his privilege, the other day,
while in Seattle, to meet Mr.. Victor E.
Tull, once q well-known factor in the
business and social life OF this city.
Though q fourth of q century had
passed since then, he seemed little
changed by time: the same friendly
CLINT of the eye, the same hospitable
grasp OF the hand and the old-time in.
donation of q once familiar voice, all
served to carry memory back to the
days when limited population brought
people into a closer companionship and
sealed more perfect bond OF friend.
ship.
it was within the hospitable doors of
the Rainier Club that we sat for an
hour or more holding communion with
people and acts of the past. Promi-
nent among the men of worth and re.
nown, from noble qualities and extend
ed acquaintance, in those days, was
Capt. Billy" Waite, who was first Of
ficer, in the early COS. on the steamers
Enterprise aud Eliza Anderson, com.
manded by Capt. d. B. Finch, on the
Olympia. Victoria route. when the fare
was fifteen dollars and soon as the
government imposed a war-tax OF fifty
cents per head upon passengers to for
eign ports, it was promptly added to
those figures. Both these crack steam.
ers long ago passed to the " boneyard."
as is called the resting place of hulks
that escape the briny depth, and find
. haven to be robbed of all about them
that can be adapted to any service.
The brain.motor of these triumphs of
mans genius remain q while longer,
when they too find haven of rest, but
leave something better and more endur.
ing on which to entwine the tendrils
of memory. Capt. Finch died several
years ago, in Oakland, CAL, with q
bright record for his pilgrimage on
Earth. Capt. Waite passed TO the
New Life last week. He died sudden.
ly, at his post-an humble one, it's
true. Captain Of the ferry boat to West
Seattle-but fraught, at times, with
grave responsibility. In this sphere oil
usefulness, he acted we'll his part, and
no serious disaster ever happened dur.
ing his several years of service. Capt
Waite was man of most generous
impulses, and many facts might be
related of his responsive nature in
times of need. One will suffice. A
commander OF one OF the ocean liners
once wealthy, lost all by unfortunate
investments. He visited Seattle to
look after some interest he thought
might be turned to account, but was
disappointed. Proud by nature, be
made no appeal to anybody for aid, o.
which he was in greater need than
appearances indicated. One day in
passing Capt. Billy" he was taken
aside by him and a hundred dollars in
gold thrust into his hand with the
wards: captain, take this; have
no need for it. Some time when am
ply able, you may return it, but moi
till you can spare it." Captain -
took the money, which, offered in thu
way it was, it would have been rude t.
refuse. and few days afterward lef
the city. He went East, and severa
months afterward enclosed check fol
the full amount and interest, to Capt
Waite, but this does not in the leas
detract from the generosity tina
prompted loan, intended, primarily
as a gift. Few men have passed away
with q better record for duties vel
performed, in every branch OF life,
vicissitudes, than Captain William
Waite.
Mr.. Tull was distant relative O
Gov. E. P. Ferry, and he delights te
talk of the many honored traits OF the
grand man who, from 1872 to 1880