Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-12-26

He wore the uniform of the Cunard line, and his
presence White Star vessel puzzled the visitors.
"Ah, Edward" said Captain Haddock to the
strange steward, how your"
Quite well, sir" replied the young man, holding
up bundle of English newspapers. I've brought
these with Captain Pritchard's compliments, sir.
He wishes to say that he had northwest gales to
the Banks, and four hours of fog from Wednesday
noon, sir. On Thursday forenoon in forty-one
twelve, sxty-fve fourteen, we saw dismasted bar
kentine drifting to the suthard, sir
Much obliged Edward" replied Captain Had
dock the steward retiring. Express my
thanks to Captain Pritchard and ask him if he will
take dinner with on Sunday
That is not one of your men, is it," asked one of
the visitors after the steward had gone
mo, it's Pritchard's boy" said Haddock. o. rit-
chard is very thoughtful He leaves Liverpool three
days after we clear Southampton, and always brings
me the latest London papers,
Letters to Captain Pritchard
CAPTAIN PRITCHARD, who resigned
- mander of the Mauritania and Commodore of
the Cunard fleet after thirty years in that companys
service is known throughout the steamship world
Father Discipline" He followed the sea for fifty
three years, beginning in sail and rounding out his
in command of the biggest steamship afoat.
He likes joke, and occasionally INDUCED in one
when passengers asked foolish questions. If the
weather good the first day out Captain Pritch-
ard made it his business to walk around the prone
made deck few times and mingle with the passen-
gers He usually had about fifty letters presented to
him by voyagers each asking him to take unusually
good care of the person presenting it.
Glad to know you, said Pritchard after reading
each letter. Now if there is anything can do to
make you comfortable why just let me know.
Each passenger satisfied, thought the Captain
a fine fellow, and congratulated himself his good
fortune being in right blissfully ignorant Of the
fact that everyone of the without letters
would get about much of Captain Pritchards
sideration and favor was bestowed upon him.
young who had letter to the Captain
and assured that she would come fairly close to
owning the Mauritania before the voyage ended
met Captain Pritchard morning deck and,
bubbling with excitement said "Oh, Captain!
Do tell us what steamer that is away there!"
She pointed with her parasol.
The skipper saw small streak Of smoke on the
horizon. Then after pause he said soberly THAT
is the steamer Smokeless bound for Newcastle with
cargo of knotholes Her master, Captain Dustblack,
used to sail with many years ago the Peruvian
bark Calisaya, and disappeared chuckling up
panionway.
Captain Pritchard asked how he
aged perfectly gigantic liner like the Mauretania
He was sitting in his the steamer and, point
ing to streak of metal polish that stained the wall
just under window, said:
That stain there will best explain it. About an
hour ago steward was polishing that brass window
frame, and he careessly overturned of polish.
1t was rank stupidity and should not have hap
pened; but said nothing. l sent for the chief
steward and asked him why he sent such clumsy
man forward to stain my wall. That was ALL When
the chief got through dressing that down I'll
wager he wouldn't let it happen again. If had up