The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1907-01-13

! grimed everything. The schooner had
carried coal for over a year now, and
! her latest occupation had not improved
+ her appearance. She was old enough be
fore and patched and meDded enough
and to turn her into collier seemed q
final humiliation. Captain Titcomb had
felt it keenly, and his disgust was out
spoken.
We'll, by crimustee-' he had ejacu-
lated when his fatfooted rebellion
had been smothered by another raise
in salary. Il used to dream about
commandin' a Australian clipper some
day or mother. but 1 never dreamed
that I'd come to be skipper of coal
hod, and secondhand, rusted out
coal hod at that. Blessed IL it amt
enough to make the old man-dad,
mean-turn over In his grave. Come
on, Brad. Let's go to the theater. I
want to forgit it,
The captain had another project in
his mind, a sort of secret hobby he
limited at every little while, but never
told. These hints usually followed a
particularly disagreeable trip or when
the rickety Thomas Doane behaved
even more like cantankerous old maid
than was her wont. Then, when he
and Bradley were alone, the captain
would wake from a day dream to say:
Brad, 1 git more and more sick Of
this bein' somebody else's errand boy
every minute. Some Of these days I'm
goin' to take a whack at somethin'
different, and I have a notion what
twill be too. l guess likely I may ask
you to come in with me. I b'lieve it's
a good notion. Tell you bout it some
day"
But he never did.
Bradley had grown tall and broad
during his term Of cruising. He
had learned self reliance. and his
voice had a masterful ring. When he
went back to Orham nowadays the
old maids took special delight in hav
ing him escort them to church, and
Miss Tempy's eyes during the sermon
were oftener fixed upon him than upon
the minister. The money that he sent
the sisters amounted to something
now, and he had an account in the
savings bank.
Now. as he stood by the rail, with his
hands in his pockets. he heard a step
on the wharf behind him and turned
to see Captain Titcomb jump from the
stringoiecc. catch the shroud and
swing aboard. The captains usually
coed natured face had a scowl on it,
and ne WAS plainly not happy.
Bradley touched his cap. How are
things going up at the Officer" he
asked.
Plumb to the devil" was the short
reply. Then. glancing up at the young
mans face and looking hurriedly away
again. he added: Come aft. 1 want
to talk to you"
Seated in the dingy cabin, the cap
tain took cigar from his pocket, bit
of the end with a jerk and smoked in
great puffs. Bradley waited for him
to speak. The shippers i'll humor and
obvious discomfort had come upon him
the afternoon of the day the Thomas
Doane reached port and had grown
steadily worse. Each morning Cap
tain Titcomb had spent at the Office
Of Williams Bros, and when he re-
turned to the schooner he had done
little but smoke, scowl and pace the
deck. The second mate was worried,
but he asked no questions.
Brad" said the captain, looking at
the shabby carpet on the cabin floor,
we're goin' to have a new mate"
Bradley was surprised. us Mr.. Bal
ley going to leave?" he asked. The
old first mate had been as much a
part of the Thomas Doane as her main
mast.
They've given him the Arrow. the
new schooner. He's goin' to run her"
"Why. why. Cap'n Ezra. 1 thought
she was promised to you"
Il InougnI SO, TOO, out L missed NY
eek min, it seems. Williams-he amt
ha'f the man his brother was-he
wants me to wait till the other one, the
four master, is off the ways Then l
can have her if 1 want her.
But she won't be ready for six
months. though 1 guess from what /
hear she'll be worth waiting for.
Who'll have the old Doane them
Captain Titcomb crossed his legs, but
didn't answer. Instead he asked:
Brad, how would you like TO sail I'M
der Bailey? You and him got long
first rate. I wouldn't wonder if |
could git you the second mates berth
on the Arrow. She's bran new and |
SACdu. hOt ilhC tLiS 1cuCOOp- <4uQ uS
kicked stateroom door with empha- |
sis.
Bradley did not hesitate. II guess |
If you can stand the hencoop cam" he |
said decisively. I'D rather wait with |
you, thank you"
Il don't knows you'd better. Look |
here" And for the first time the cap |
tain raised his eyes. You know 1 |
wouldn't try to influence you il 'twan't |
for your own good. 1 honestly think |
'twould be better for you If you sailed |
on the Arrow"
But WHY"
"Oh. because. Bailey's a good man
and an Al sailor"
HE isn't half the sailor you are nor /
half the man either"
Much obliged. I'll stand for the /
sailor part, but amt SO sure about |
the rest. Brad, sometimes I wish / |
hadn't stuck so close to owners or.
ders' and had took q few observations