The Washington herald., 1909-07-18

sped, throwing behind great biilows that
sparkled back the lights from the rear
cabin
Far downstream IS a light close 70 the
shore. The pilot knows what that means.
Il IS a wildcat landing, where a freighter
awaits with a lot Of goods OF some pas
sengers want 70 take the boat In either
event somebody has probably been wait
ing By the riverside six or eight hours
The pilot pulls a ring IN the TOP OF his
little house. and the triple Whistles above
4 give the peculiar signal OF the line
The steamer runs far past the landing
turns lsbOriously around under the
chiding of the small bells and baby
whistles and f0rges up 20 the landing.
where the boat IS made fast 10 a tree and
The gsngplank Is run our. assisted By the
rapid FIRE comments OF the mate. II
there was much freight 10 go on the place
was lighted by burning pine knots IN an
iron basi~- near the gangpiank-
Promptly. a. II glad OF the call 20 duty,
the deckhand vas Up and ready for The
work OF loading IN those davs ne vas a
trusty machine and was proud Of lis
CREST strength Of his boat. and even OF
the rich vocabulary OF his mate
He loved when ashore 70 talk OF the
big towns he made and OF the way-up
people ne knew IN them Re had a sweet
heart IN every place where his boat put
I'D over twelve hours, and he kept her
until she was cOurted by a man from 4
bigger and faster boat
A rOustabOut could always beat rhs
time of member OF his race VINO was
I only a waiter in the cabin OF a member
OF the orchestra The di1ersnce vas AZ
I that between the soldier and the camp
followers
II Is related that during an assembly
/ OF negroes n q church az Natchez q giant
/ OF a fellow with g hard. furrowed face
kept butring IN with questions and ad-
, vice He was a stranger. and presently
The annoyed chairman asked a natural
I question regarding who the iaterrupter
was.
Who is AhT'' SAID the big man. swell
F Ing up Abs de boss roustabout On de-
T Bob Lee. sahl~
After these satisfactory credentials he
was permitted 20 take part IN the de-
( liberations without further question
+ A large and fast boat never had much
trouble IN securing plenty of deekhands.
I but there was no prestige in accepting
/ employment on a small stern wheeler
+ devoted mostly 20 freight trshc. al
Z lLlolsG Ale wages llELL De Deter me
rOustabout liked 10 show his strength and
I the ease with which he could carry a
cofree sack OF a pig OF lead Yet he
would permit a little one-gzIius mate,
whom he could pick up and shake Ike
( mouse 10 make public reflections on
I his family tree in words that sizzled
\ The TOustabOut supposed the mate was
hired for his proficiency in that particular
/ line. and If he hadn't kept II I'D fl would
I have meant that the mate was ailing or
I ueglectiug his employers interest
/ The roustabOuts had no organization.
and strikes were Of rare occurrence
I They were faithful and satisfactory
! workers and when they swarmed around
pile OF freight Il seemed % disappear
Ike magic They had not then come
/ under the influence OF the labor agitator
and did not know that they ought 70 kick
4 against unloading az night and al help
Z ing with the furnaces now and then
But Il seems the newer generation -
3 becoming wise 20 conditions. and the
I river roUstab0ut as the old-tiule vOyagers
+ knew him may become extinct because
Of his increasing wisdom.
Let the dagOes lug the freight and coal
r they want Wen 30 20 haFbering OF
4 pOrtering on Pullman OF run 4 minstrel
show Ike a gentleman. sab" says TIE
new generation.