The Washington times., 1909-08-30
CHAPTER l.
A CURIOUS CONVERSATION.

bon voyage on his first trip to London.
Good luckr' they chorused again. as
the big ship winnewaba swung out of
her dock.
Eben stood near the stern. moisture IN
his eyes. as ne waved his handkerchief
10 all the good friends he was leaving
behind.
The boat pulled out into the harbor
and the little gathering on the pier be-
came a mere blot in the eyes Of those
on board ship.
Hope III be the second Edison. eh2'
Eben smiled wanly to himself, as lie
repeated the remark that one OF his en-
th~usiastic friends had made In wishing
him good-by.
well. 1 don't feel much like 1t at
present. he continued. No, there's
very little OF the spirit Of conquest left
in me now. It's the first ume I've ever
realized what Il is TO be really alone.
I never knew the feeling In my life be
fore. 1t makes a man feel as though
the whole world were against him ana
the only person on whom to rely Is
himself
He threw back his shoulders. took an
antl-seasick pill. recommended by a
tho1zhtf1l friend, and strolled back 10
his berth
Nash opened the door ana found two
men there before him. For the mst
time ne fully realized what 1t WOULD
mean for four men TO occupy the smah
stateroom. a share of which o
had forced him 10 buy.
'Ah. how do you do; o are to room
with us2" The question was put by d
very tall. thin man, with a decldediy
English accent and a decidedly shitty
pair Of eyes.
Yes" answered Nash.
NV names Hicke, said the other-
Mines Nash" eplied Eben, glanclns
down at the other VINO was
busy with his steamer trunk
not related to S. NJ. Nash, the cleo
,5o motor MANI" queried Hicke. whom
Fben had already put down as anything
but an agreeable roommate
,No. But I worked for him up iii a
worth aso.' answered Eben, suddenly.
struck by the coincidence.
.Hal An electrician them? cried
u,cke Now that 1 think Of H. 1
Relieve 7 heard somebody sing out
from the dock. Tood-by. Second Eol-
sonr Doubtless they meant YOU"
Eoen flushed
1T = n AOUAAEh
zIves me- he answered as ne IN
pscped his steamer rug.
Indeed. that's interesting replied
u,cka. Then he looked down TO tue
short man busy with his trunk. But
7 must introduce you 70 my friend
Picketzo.'
Eben pronered his hand to the little
man who arose at that moment and
wiped the perspiration from his fore
head and ibulous nose. which looked
very much like an inhamed thumb set
lust above his upper I'D.
II thank you for the pleasure said
The low-browed Italian. for be was IN
u~istakabIy OF that nationality
Nash Acknowledged the introduction
and fell 70 wondering II the fourth man
in the stateroOm would prove 20 be as
peculiar p person as these TWO were.
He secured his steamer rug and went
out on deck as soon as possible. rather.
perturbed by the thought OF occupying
the same room with these TWO men dur
ing the seven-day ocean voyage.
Il Was cold in the steamer chair on
deck. and Eben soon decided TO look
Up more comfortable quarters.
Taking his rug. he sauntered to the
stern and found a warm nook between
two ventilators. There he sat for some
time. musing on all ne had left behind
and calling himself a fool FOR undertake
ing the journey TO London.
Think Of giving up a soft berth in
the s. NJ. Nash Company IN New York
city. 10 go 10 London and Try my luck.
Rather a f~oolhardy thing 10 do he
ssid 10 himself, but the spirit Of ad-
venture and the love OF being a sort OF
free lance has always got me into trou-
bic. and 7 suppose III have TO put up
with what's coming 10 me and fight it
out alone"
After thinking Of his prospects for
rome time he was reminded OF Hicke
and Picketzo, his two roommates.
~ heard once that travel makes
strange bedfellows he unused. I'd like
20 know II two stranger than mine could
be found anywhere"
He s~nuEgled back between the ven
~tilators and called UP a vision Of the
long Englishman n the short Italian.
"A likely pair he went on. Its q
sure thing that III have 10 be careful
% my money with those fellows in the
room. How cleverly that man Hicke
found out that I'm an electrician and
rsver made the slightest mention OF his
va A'1A"eor Cnf y EANc1 III easy /
think I've eot a god deal 20 learn. and
they say that travel is a great educa-
tor"
Eben Nash pushed further back he
tween the ventilstors and sat gazing up
~ them. The size Of the whole ship
impressed him greatly. II was not one
Of the biggest liners. but a medium-sized
boat tina carried cattle from New York
70 London. To Nash y was a floating
palace. and everything on Il proved a
wonder TO his youthful enthusiasm and
Imagination.
IT suppose that these big things I'm
sitting between now are venfilators from
the cattle deck. to give tie animals an
occasional breath Of fresh air and take
of the smell" he said 10 himself.
Whatever they are. they make a
mighty good nook on a cold day. It's
good TO be alone and think for a while
and Tn almost out OF sight here. so
/ guess nobody viii bother me.
"TH bet hat loW-brow Italian will
prove 10 be an awful bore. He has
a conversational look about him that
7 don't like. I wish 7 had somebody
else 20 sleep IN that berth above me-
-. - - d.