The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1909-05-13
THE APPLETREE FLEET.

| The Polly is the oldest OF the lot of the
queer old two-masted "codger craft. -
| All OF them are venerable enough to
deserve dip O. the colors from the mil
honaire's yacht when it splits the seas in
neaoiong rush long coast across the
Gul1 OF Maine. They are venerable, be-
cause IN these times of slx-masters the
topmast packet dates from the old days
Wnen all the Maine coast towns had their
little shipyards. The @'Uncle Dudleys"
are merely Holding over. until their
race IS run; the chips in the yards where
1ne two-masters were built rotted long
ago. But the schooners that survive
are tough little old CRITTERS" and the
poliy is fair sample Of their longevity.
Inc Polly was privateer in the war of
lol2, and she is still butting the seas
with her blunt bows off Tinicus and
Grand Menan. And though no new ones
are Joining the veterans OF the "apple-
tree fleet, it will be many years before
the type disappears.
The humorists long shore call them
the "apple-tree fleet" because their
Shippers intend to keep on the safe side
OF the seafaring- seafearin, as the
aforesaid humorists insist; so carefully
on the safe side that they do not venture
OH shore far enough to lose sight of the
apple trees.
Propinquity helps courage, and often
ten or dozen of the "apple-tree fleet"
Will leave Penobscot Bay in bunch-an
then each man is watching the other
Some tlmid chap will reef after time
At first the others may growl and sheer
about towards. Then that natural
tlmldity gets in its work. ''Mebbe that
fellow over there smells wind comm,
ponders one of his neighbors, and in
comes some of his canvas. That starts
more of the fleet to wondering and wor-
rylng. Topsails come down and fore and
main are reefed. Then some fellow, put
in panic by all these ominous prepara-
tons, dives for han Dor, and in nine cases
out OF ten the rest of the fleet follow suit
Once in harbor, they try to find out what
all the pother was for. On one occasion
dozen sail chased a veteran skipper in
to Portland Harbor, knowing that he
was weatherwise, and after they had
anchored discovered that he had come in
after box of Strawberries, having been
taken with a sudden hankering for that
fruit.
Many are the amusing stories which
the author tells of these ships and their
~ AAPPSno VIC SdpCdlll OillUlGS Sdlleu
from Thomaston with cargo of lime,
but found dull market in Chesapeake
Bay. 81 know what I'll do, said Cap
tain Simeon Shibles to himself. ''I'n
put on my best clothes and 90 up to
Washington and see President Andrew
Jackson The captain did so, was ad-
mitted to the White House, and, with his
plug hat under his arm, thus delivered
himself; president Andrew Jackson.
Esquire, have called to pay my respects
to man | admire, and to say that
shall continue to vote for you as long as
you live. And not to take up any more
OF your valuable time want to ask if
you have any use in your business or in
the business of the United States for a
cargo of Maine lime?" The President
bought it for the navy yard Holman
Day in Harper's Weekly.
To feel strong, have a good appetite and di-
gestion, sleep soundly and enjoy life, use Bur-
dock Blood Bitters the great system tonic and
builder.