Rocky Ford enterprise., 1908-07-03
SCARLET. SILAS


- said the bridge.tender, as he
peered through the window of
the shanty into the fog that
lay sullenly on the water.
4 heavy, Incorporating fog born of
the smoke Of Chicago's chimneys and
the driving white mists of Lake Mich.
dgan. ,r ~ ..-. ',..I
What gets me is why any man
takes to lake sailorin' in the fust
place, and why he keeps at 1t after
he makes one trip and learns wot n
dogs life 1t is. Now there was my
self. tried it, but skipped at the
fast port we made and plugged my
way back to Chi on a freight. 1t
was tough travelin'. but 1t beat deck
hustlin' on lumber boat all to
pieces. Bridge-tendin' IS as close as
ever l want to get to sailin' again.
1t amt that lake sailors is so stuck
on their jobs that keeps them at it
There's Joe wilkins. Bandy Joe. as
~e call him, sit right on that seat
where you're settin' now. six months
ago. and told me how he'd saved up
few hundred dollars and him and his
pal. Sam Burrows, was goin' to start
into business for themselves and
never would set foot on ship again.
But i notice Bandy's back cookin' on
the Jim Hill and Sans doin' a fore
mast stunt on the schooner Mary
land.
Mebbe they might have kept their
word. though. IL they hadn't struck a
snag before they got started on the
new deal. This yer Bandy was al
ways close. savin' sort of guy.
which is a most unusual thing with
sailormen. Sam often made up his
mind to save. TOO. but never made 1t
up enough to begin. But when his
uncle died and left him 5000. Bandy
heard OF 1t and looked him up right
away
See here. SAM" ses he. you've
bin a fool long enough. Wot's the use
of bein' rawhided and jawed by low
down ornery mates and captains all
your life? I've got $500 scraped to-
sether. and II you add your pile to
mine we can buy out old Daddy Minis
Iunchroom on the docks. He's made
enough money to live bully for the
rczt of his days and wants to sell
out. It's a sure winner. for most all
the river boys feed there. and old
MIN told me l could have the joint
for $1,000 cash down"
The Idea looked good to Sam and
they headed for the Mariners Rest to
have n quiet drink and talk It over.
Nearly everyone there had heard OF
SANS luck. and they kept comm up.
one after the other. TO congratulate
him. If Bandy hadn't bin along. Sam
might have loosened up and treated
all hands. But Bandy kept whis-
perrin in his ear and joggin' his ell
bow all the time. warnin' him to be
careful.
There was n stranger in the bar, a
white bearded old chap with n pleas
ant. smilin' face. He'd bin watchin'
the gang gettin' after Sam. and when
they got tired seein' that there was
nothin' doin'. he came over and sit
down at their table.
-'Scuse me. gents" he ses. but IL
you'll honor me by havin' n drink.
shall feel myself under 4 obligation to
you
Bandy was never known TO refuse
anything he could get for nothing.
and Sam was only too willin'. so they
didn't shy at putting the old fellow
-nder a obligation. as he called II.
He was a VERY smooth speakin' chap.
and before they was settin' there long
they put him under a couple more
obligations without maxim any kick
about II. Then Sam, who was a
epod-hearted guy. and thought It was
about time he did something. was
going to call the waiter. when Bandy
Jogs his elbow and makes a face at