The Republican journal., 1909-05-20
The Skipper and the Girl.

81 asked you to come IN and see me
this morning, said Mr.. Templeton of
Templeton Brothers & elect, Sin order
to let you know that you will take gu
passengers on the Storm King when you
sail next Thursday. My daughter and
my sister wish to visit Australia, SO you
will take them under your care" went
on Mr.. Templeton. "They will sign
articles as nurse and assistant nurse so
as to conform with Board of Trade rul-
ing. | have given instructions for the
extra cabins to be done up. Mr.. elect
will also cross with you. Mr.. elect will
sign on as steward.
It is doubtless generally known that a
cargo steamer may not carry passengers.
But the owners manage to avoid the
Board of Trade ruling by allowing peo-
pie to sign articles for some fancy job
which they will never perform.
Although Captain Richard Gray had not
expressed disapproval of the fact OF the
junior partner being passenger in his
ship, he felt very angered. In common
with other masters and mates he cherish
ed a profound dislike :-...i contempt for
Mr.. elect.
The latter was one of those egotistical
gentlemen who can always put every
body right. He always knew more than
anyone else of every subject that was
mentioned in his presence.
At sea one would have expected that
Mr. elects Objectionable ways would be
held under check, but the junior partner
remained his own lordly self. He criti-
cised the sailors methods and issued Or
ders, until eventually the boatswain, who
had sailed under Captain Gray for several
years, asked the master whose orders he
was to take.
Mr.. elect is one of the partners,
jackson" the master replied, land as
such YOU must treat him respectfully,
but he has no power to issue orders.
Recollect that, please.
Jackson recollected it with all the
pleasure in the world and he communl-
Gated the shippers remark to the men.
The latter received it with rapture, for
they hated elect even more fervently
than they hated foreign sailors in British
ship.
Here, you," cried elect one morning,
imperiously addressing sailor and point
ing to a coil of rope. "Just you shift
that and keep things shipshape."
The A. B. stared at the junior partner
and then turned to the officer of the
watch, a grizzled veteran of some fifty
years.
''Mr. elect wants this moved, sir" he
said.
THE rope must remain where it is,
Brown" responded the mate briefly, and
both men continued their work without
any further attention to elect.
The junior partner bristled, and strid-
ing as quickly as his stumply legs would
allow began to ascend the ladder to the
bridge.
please keep on deck, sir, said the
mate. Passengers are not allowed on
the bridge
DO you know who you are talking to.
cried elect, his face crimson.
Il know my orders, sir, replied the
mate briefly eff you have any COM
plant to make, please make it to the
captain
At this moment Captain Gray came on
deck in company with Molly Templeton,
II have been insulted, captain" bel
lowed elect furiously.
Indeed. Who has insulted your" asked
Gray quietly.
The junior partner detailed the episodes
of the coil of rope and the mates refusal
to allow him on the bridge.
Mr., Herbert that was the mate
was quite right in preventing you from
going on the bridge" answered Gray.
what, SIR" On my own ship shall
do as like" cried elect.
Il must ask you to remember that |
am in charge of this vessel, said Gray
sternly, land my orders must be obey
ed. Now Mr.. Herbert, what about that
rope?'
at is required there, sir
That's all right then. Have you any
further complaints, Mr.. Cleet9"
ttNo,1 will haoy x,f thic faiY,
Gray" elect snarled, turning on his heel
and joining Miss Templeton. But that
young lady was decidedly cool, and elect
did not enjoy himself little bit
The men continued their work with
satisfied smiles. They each registered
another mark to Captain Dick Gray's
credit, though the score was long enough
already. Every man on board had an
affection for their big limbed skipper,
they could see justice, maybe stern, yet
always right, in his steadfast blue eyes.
At the time of this writing Captain
Gray was about thirty-fi years of age
and unmarried. He had held masters
certificate for many years, and was as
popular with his owners as with his men.
Indeed, his family had always been
friendly with the Templetons and had
grown up with them.
flnalng The demeanOr OF pretty molly
Templeton not to his liking after his
interview with Capt. Gray, elect meand-
cred down below and began to make him
self Objectionable to the engineers. He
criticised their methods and remarked
that the engines were dirty. This latter
was as deadly an insult as he could utter,
and the chief who loved his engine better
anything on earth-even better than
whisky-and tended them like fond
mother, turned on him fercely.
eff your ugly face was as clean as my
engines you'd be much improved" he
growled. .'Now, then, take your inter
fering nose away or I'll make it more
crooked than it is.
WHAT" bawled elect. ''Do you
know I'm one of the owners?"
II don't care if you're the Emperor of
Germany" shouted the chief; "but l
know that I'll turn the hose on you if
you don't shift mighty quick. Here,
Macdonald, couple on the hose and give
it to me- -
The chiefs orders were obeyed with
such alacrity that elect bolted, furiously
vowing vengeance.
He passed the rest of the day wallow-
ing in rage. Never had he been so in
suited that was the way he chose to put
it though the correct way would have
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