New-York tribune., 1908-04-13
THE ROUTING OF "HANK"
Wants So for a Yarn, Gets 5OCents,
Then Old Joe Muck Rakes Him.

Charged with several quarts of South street in
spira ton. which he had imbbed in the wee small
hours, Hank Bjorna, mate and sole survivor OF
the wrecked Norwegian bark Alexandra found his
way into the ship office yesterday and Of
fered sell for s. the story Of the abandonment
Of the bark off Guayaqun and his subsequent rescue
by the comely daughter Of merchant Of Ecuador,
who out in a small boat and took him from
a drifting spar
7 am da only talla dat know vat happaned to
da bark" said Hank" and I am da only falla
what's alive to-day tell da story. II es
worth thosands Of dollars me but I wall sell IT
cheap because I need da money"
Since the narrative of the Ttlley Starbuck
spun by the vigorous thinker, Mr.. Kuhlman, over
a month ago about the Battery could be
induced TO buy yarn o the sea, no matter how
good 1t seemed to spin.
Hank" Borna. who when ne is washing
dishes or a deep water ship. spends his time sort
ing marine junk along South street, decided, when
he could get his price, that he would tell the
simple facts for 30
The money forthcoming. and clutched tightly in
his big palm. Hank" began an impossible story Of
how the Alexandra abandoned because she
short of provisions May s. 1907, in latitude
l south longitude 81 west
Myself and tgee oder tallas got da only lifeboat
dat was nod smashed" said Hank an whan
about miles from the Gulf of Guaya-
au wee we're all upsad. and I vas da only fala dat
saught da foading spar. A Spanish merchants
daughter me 1oadns"-
Hank" hesitated. for his haf-open eye made out
the figure OF Mike" Salter, the Battery boatman,
gliding along the horizon OF the room.
The boatman dropping anchor abeam the Swe-
dish spinner OF made-to-order tales o the deep,
looked at the marine scribes and smiled
How much did you fellows give up for Hanks
story" asked the boatman- What Is the latest
pipe he's dressed up for consideration? This
business Of ripping off yarns made OF whole sail
cloth is the easiest and profitable game 1
know Of Look at this fellow that sold the Tilly
Starbuck story. He got s. for that. and the price
OF lemons went up all the town Now l
lieve he is working Philadelphia like the Rafles
and sending in reports OF the lost ship Arthur
SewaH ] tell you. fellows like Hank here are
wasting their time, There is big chance for them
establish nice little evidence factory in con
nection with some law firm out in South Dakota"
Hank. unable to bear up under the fire OF the
boatman's sarcasm. stumbled the street and
then the men of the waterfront became remins-
Old Joe Saunders. who follows the coast wise
vessels recalled tn tales used 10 come from
the wrecked fruit steamer Baker every time she
arrived Pier A the West Indies Captain
Oerte. according to old Joe" would stand for
any sort OF yarn and assist its embesh-
ment. 1t was the Baker" said old Joe" that
reported having stopped cT the Florida coast TO
lend a saw the skipper Of a schooner that he
might of the saw OF a sawfsh which rammed
the vessel in the stern and acted impeachment
her rudder
Go anywhere along the waterfront" said Tom
Morris and you will find the best yarns in the
world for a dollar a throw
But you cant beat Hank. for swindler."
said the boatman He came down TO the basin
day when he hard up. and when I wasn't
looking. and put two pennies tho top or the
wall one head up and the other tail UP. Then ne
asked me bet him 3 the toss Of penny
You're on. said J. as | called heads Hank
walks over and picks up the penny that he laid
down tails up. and reaches for my IS when l see
rolling down the steps Of The basin the original
penny that Hank tossed"
did he get the hve?' asked old 'Jce
He did in the long run said the Doatman, be
lost derby, ruined me shoes and missed
a chance OF docking the Maracas. fishing him out
or the basin after 7 had kicked him overheard