The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1907-03-06

/ IMNSFNI ley. now twenty years old and
- sure enough" second mate.
was on her deck watching the foremost
hands clearing up the coal dust that be-
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 mended enough,
and to turn her into a collier seemed a
final humiliation. Captain Titcomb had
felt it keenly, and his disgust was out
spoken.
We'll. by crimusteew he had eiacu-
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 | never dreamed
that I'd come to be skipper of coal
hod, and a secondhand, rusted out
coal hod at that Blessed if it amt
enough to make the old man-dad,
mean-turn over in his grave. Come
on, Brad. Let's 90 to the theater
want to forgit it,
The captain had another project III
his mind, sort of secret hobby he
limited at every little while, but never
told. These hints usually followed
particularly disagreeable trip or when
the rickety Thomas Doane behaved
even more like cantankerous old maid
than was her won't Then, when he
and Bradley were alone. the captain
would wake from a day dream to say:
Brad, | git more and more sick of
this bein' somebody else's errand boy
every minute. Some of these days I'm
gon' to take whack ut somethin'
different, and | have a notion what
twill be too. guess likely l may ask
you to come in with me- | Dlieve its
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 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
stringpiece. catch the shroud and
swing aboard The captains usually
good natured face had a scowl on it.
and he was plainly not happy.
Bradley touched his cap. How arc
things going up at the office" lie
, asked.
plumb to the devil was the short
reply. The. glaacing up at the young
mans face and looking hurriedly away
again. he added: Come aft. l want
to talk to YOU
Seated in the dingy cabin, the cap
tain took Il cigar from his pocket bit
off 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. >cowl and pace the
deck The second mate was worried.
but he asked no questions
the shabby carpet on the cabin floor.
were goin to have a new mate"
Bradley was surprised rs 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, l thought
she was promised to you"
Il thought so, too, but | missed my
reck' MIN, it seems Wlliams-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
can have her if | want her.
But she Won't be ready for six
months, though l 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. l wouldn't wonder if l
could git you the second mates berth
on the Arrow. She's bran new and
clean, not like this hencoop." And he
kicked ,stateroom door with empha-
sis.
Bradley did not hesitate. Il guess
if you can stand the hencoop can, he
said decisively. I'D rather wait with
you, thank YOU"
Il don't knows you'd better. Look