The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1905-05-07
The Owner Of
The Patriarch
Continued from page 81

seen UncIe'S letters and they done 81
10 him.
Then it must be true said Brady
'They only puts Esk' on gents let
ters'
And Williams, the steward, was ob
served coming for'ard scratching hi
head
Where the deuce am u" asked vii
Hams, land wots the game? I'm sen
by the captain to say, VIII Mr.. Potts
step into the cabin?''
They all looked at Geordie.
Mr. Potts? Why, that's you Geor-
die"
L s'pose it must be- said the owner
&'Must I go, mates ?"
'-Of course" cried Brady.
But Geordie fidgeted.
ct could go in if we were painting OF
her cabin" he murmured; but to talk
with the skipper
That evidently disgruntled him.
''Tis your own cabin any'ow," said
Brady. I'D walk in like lord
well, s'pose L must" said Geordie
reluctantly, and he went aft with
Williams.
And you're the owner?" asked VIII
Hams.
JeOrQle signed.
$50 it seems, stooard," he admitted.
1T ticks creation said Williams.
$50 it does,'' said Geordie, and the
next moment he found himself an
nounced as "Mr. Potts. and he stood
before the captain with his cap in his
hand. looking as if he was about to
be put in irons for mutiny; but, as a
matter of fact. the old skipper was a
deal more nervous than he was.
xThis seems all correct Mr. Potts.
said Smith.
Does it, SIR asked Geordie. I'm
very sorry, sir but it amt my fault,
sir. / never meant-at least, I never
allowed my uncle would do it, because
my father. sir. said he was a blood
sucker. and they fought and I hit uncle
with a brick, sir, to make him let go
eff fathers beard"
'.Oh, yes, to be sure said the cap
tain, nervously. but I'm thinking what
TO do. It's very anomalous situation
for you to be here, Potts-Mr. Potts,
I mean
But Geordie held up his hand.
I'D much rather be Potts, sir, thank
ing you all the same
81 couldn't do it," replied the skip
per.
'I was thinking that you might like
me TO put back to Melbourne?''
t.Wot for. sir?'' demanded the owner.
$50 that you could go home in a P.
and o. boat said old Smith.
Thanking you kindly, sir, replied
Geordie, I'D rather stay in the Pa
triarch. don't like steamers and never
did
He had vague notion that the skip
per wanted him to go home before
the mast in one.
"Then you wish me not to put back,
Mr.. Potts." said Smith.
I'D very much rather not, SIR" re-
piled Geordie. I'm very happy here,
sir, and takin' it all round the Patri-
arch's a comfortable ship, sir. May
I go for'ard now, sir?''
He made a step for the cabin door.
''Oh, dear, oh, DEAR said old Smith,
You mustn't; you must have a berth
here and be passenger"
The shippers obvious nervousness
was not without it's effect upon the new
owner. For old Smith knew that if
he lost his present billet he was not
likely to find another one, and he had
nothing saved to speak of. So some
how, and without knowing why, Geor-
die. without being in the least dis
respectful, was more decided in his
answer than he would have been if the
-oid man. had showed himself as hard
and severe as usual.
Not me-" said Geordie, mot me,
sir: ] wouldn't and I couldn't. I'd be
that uncomfortable-oh, a passenger,
good evings, no."
But bein' owner you can't stay
for'ard," urged the skipper.
''Oh, yes, Il can, sir" said Geordie;
I'D prefer fts''
Smith sighed.
"If you prefer it. of course you must
But if you change your mind you'll
let me know"
Right will, sir" said Geordie.
The skipper walked with him to the
cabin door.
And if you don't want to work, Mr..
Potts. I dare say we can get on with
out your services, though we shall miss
them" he said. anxiously.
@I couldn't lie about and do nix
replied Geordie. I'D die of it,
And away he went for'ard, while the
skipper and Mr. Brose and Mr. Ware,
walked out of his watch below to hear
the extraordinary news, discussed the
situation.
And ave I to call i'm Mr.. Potts."
asked Mr. Brose, with a pathetic air
of disgust.
Il say So" replied the skipper. ''I
can't afford, Brose, as you know, to
lose this job. And old Tyser promised
me kind of marine superintendent
billet when 1 left the Patriarch, and I
dessay this young chap will act decent
about it,
I'm fair knocked" replied Ware.
'tIm jolly glad that he amt in my
watch This is hard lines on you,
Brose."
eff you please, Mr.. Potts. will you be
so good has to be so kind has to be
60 hobliging as to go and over'aul the
gear on the MAN," piped Brose, in
furious mockery. "Oh. this is 'ardi'
Far from it, said old Smith; you
ought TO be proud. Tt amt every sec
ond mate has a millionaire owner in
his watch"