Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-07-19
CHAPTER
ELEVEN
The Passing
of Beasley

"HE time honored custom of holystoning
ships deck is productive of three results
L polished surface, pyrotechnic profanity
and housemad knee. AS to the origin of the term
authorities differ widely. One eminent and nautical
scientist asserts that the called holy by
of the fact that it was the most unholy
chunk of mineral ever excavated; and, assuming
human nature to be contrary, state conceded by
a majority of erudlte and married savants the
theory is not at all bad one Other giant minds
think otherwise; but what do we care, anyway:
In olden days the art of holystoning was prac-
tsed along rather crude lines. There was large
piece of sandstone with ropes tied through holes
at both ends, and by of these ropes two mar
tyred sailormen dragged the Clearly. Juggernaut
backward and forward over water doused deck.
This was sometimes done with the object of actually
securing the deck; at other times as sort of bar
barous punishment; and still again. 1T IS claimed,
in order to crush and obliterate the bumptlous
spirits of certain men that were prone to mutlny
other active sports.
In later days the art has been refined. The stone
is smaller, and is anipulated by one man, who
gets down his marrowbones and stays there tor
five or six hours on stretch,-his reverential atti
tude, and the continuance thereof setting up still
another theory to the name holystone. All
ships officers aver, with serene postlveness, that
the work neither hard notifying to the flesh.
The average seaman prefers crochetng malnsa1l;
but that, in all probability, is due to personal
prejudice.
T any rate, on fine September morning with
"A faint stern breeze and under particularly con-
scientious sun, Morson-Brown was engaged in holy
stoning the Sptfres lower deck. He was attlred
undershirt and overcoat of profuse perspiration
Habitually he performed his duties with sort
of humorous enjoyment; but on this one occasion
that element of pleasure was not prominent, for he
had been in attitude of prayer since clock,
and it nine fifteen. The attitude, however,
postural only; for the young man was swearing
to himself with that finished and masterful pro-
ficiency that is usually attributed to pirates.
He had made mental calculation as to the area
of the two decks in square feet, computing the por
ton already holystoned in two hours and quarter
to be lust One-tenth of the whole. The outlook
was gloomy. Besides, there another factor in
the To labor for the caprices of the fascinat
ing Miss Grard thing; to labor for the pure,
malignant JOY of Beasey quite another. There
FORE Morson- Browns affection for the mate began
to partake of that quality of love with which
sailor regards holystone.
His position was peculiar one, and he himself
was far too intelligent appreciate the advan-
tage of Beasley. Sea law provides that social
chasm shall yawn between and master, and
the must grin and bear such Bullets come
to him, the ship that carries him must
adapt herself to the force of every wind that blows.
Morson- Brown had never considered, till now,
what nasty thing this sea law really was, and its
meaning vastly aided by the fact that Beasey
passed by from time time and criticized his work.
There various methods of effective criticism
the grave, the light, the honest, and the ignorant,
each hard in its way for the human soul to bear
but the most accursed of all is that of ridicue.
Beasey selected the latter and applied it after the
manner OF a turpent1ne stupe. The under dog bore
it with outward stocisn knowing that open re-
bellion would bear the fruit of harsher treatment;
he gr1tted his teeth and obey with grace,
If the first mate ordered him to bite the barna-
though, hot, long. and bitter; and the young man,
still on his knees, asked God TO help him not to
throw Beasey overheard.
upper deck, where she seated herself comforta-
bly, with book In her lap. Her position such
as to be entirely screened from the observation of
the Frustrated scrubber below yet she herself