Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1910-02-10

least as big as one of the ocean liners |
of so years ago, and had done % 1-l6 |
knots on her trial. Mr.. Van Torp took
her over as she was, with her officers,
crew, cook and stores, and rechris-
tened her. She had been launched as
the Alwayn; he called her the Lam
cashire Lass--a bit of sentiment on
his part, for that was the name of a
mare belonging to Lady Maud's
father, which he had once ridden
bareback when he was in an amazing
hurry.
He had one interview with the cap
tain.
"See here, captain" he said, II may
not want to take a trip this season.
I'm that sort of a man. may or l
may not. But If l do want you, I'll
want you quick. See?"
With the last word, he looked up
suddenly, and the captain saw" for
he met pair of eyes that astonished
him.
Yes, see," he answered mechanic
ally.
And If you're in one place with
your boat, and I wire that / want you
in another, I'd like you to get there
right away" said Mr.. Van Torp.
Yes, sir"
"They say she'll do % no." contin-
ued the owner, "but when l wire l
want you I'd like her to do as much
more as she can without bursting a
lung. If you don't think you've got
the kind of engineer who'll keep her
red-hot, tell me right off and we'll get
another. And don't you fuss about
burning coal, captain. And see that
the crew get all they can eat and not
a drop of drink but tea and coffee, and
if you let 'em go on shore once in a
while, see that they come home right
! side up with care, captain, and make
each of 'em say truly rural and Brit
ish Constitution before he goes to
bed, and if he can't, you just unship
him, or whatever you call it on boat
Understand, captain?"
The captain understood and kept his
countenance.
Nov, l want to know one thing,
continued the new owner. Whats
the nearest sea port to Bayreuth, Ba
varia?"
Venice" answered the captain
without the least hesitation, and 81
quickly that Mr.. Van Torp was i'm
mediately suspicious.
'If that's so, you're pretty smart,
he observed.
"You can telephone to Cooks Office
sir, and ask them," said the captain
quietly.
The instrument was on the table a
Mr.. Van Torp's elbow. He looke'
sharply at the captain, as he ur
hooked the receiver and set it to hi
ear. In a few seconds communicated
was given.
Cooks office? Yes. Yes. This i
Mr.. Van Torp, Rufus Van Torp O
New York. Yes l want to knoJ
what's the nearest sea port to Bay
reuth, Bavaria. Yes. Yes. That
just what 1 want to know. Yes. II
hold the wire while you look 1t up"
He was not kept waiting long.
Venice, you say? You're sure your
right, suppose? Yes. Yes. l wa
only asking. No thank you. If wan
a ticket I'll look in myself. Muc
obliged. Good-by."
He hung the receiver in its plac
again, and turned to his captain wit
a different expression, in which &C
miration and satisfaction were quit
apparent.
Well" he said, you're right It.
Venice. / must say that, for an Enl
lishman, you're quite smart"
The captain smiled quietly, but di
not think it worth while to explai
that the last owner with whom he ha
sailed had been Wagner-mad and ha
gone to Bayreuth regularly. More
over, he had judged his man already
Am to proceed to Venice at once
sir?" he asked.
Gas quick as you can, captain"
The Englishman looked at his watc
deliberately, and made short menta
calculation before he said anything.
was IL in the morning.
II can get to sea by five o'clock thi
afternoon, sir. Will that do?"
Mr.. Van ToTp was careful not to bC
tray the least surprise.
yes he said, as if he were nc
. more than fairly satisfied, "thatu d
! nicely"
, Very well, sir, then I'll be off. It
about 5000 miles, and she's suppose
to do that at IS knots with her oW
4 coal. Say eight days. But as this
her maiden trip we must make allow
j ance for having to stop the engine
once or twice. Good-morning, sir"
"Good-day, captain. Get in som
coal and provisions as soon as you a
rive in Venice. may want to go I
Timbuctoo, or to Andaman islands c
' something. I'm that sort of MAJ
g I'm not sure where I'll go. Good-by."
b The captain stopped at the first tell
l. graph ONCE on his way to the Waite
i loo station and telegraphed both to hi
n chief engineer. Mr.. MCosh, and hi
h chief mate, Mr.. Johnson, for h
~ / fhnuOht n haraIv nnecihla that rpa =