The Cairo bulletin., 1911-04-10
Captain Jack and
Captain Ben
BY MARGARET FOSTER
Copyright by American Press Asso-
citation. 1911.

dates for her favor. Both were assist
ants on fishing smacks, Jack Cady
was wild youngster who promised
no good. and no good ever came out
of him. Ben Wharton was a steady
young fellow, whose parents never
had any occasion to worry about him
Maggie at first preferred Jack. but rs
soon as she came to an age to see the
difference between the two young
men she found Ben the more accept
able of the two.
Both Jack and Ben went to sea. and
both became masters of vessels when
they were still very young. Both were
much in love with Maggie, and each
strove to accumulate the means where
by he might be enabled to claim her
though this is rather true OF Ben than
Jack, for while the former progressed
steadily the latter did so by fits and
starts. now and again getting into po-
sitions where any money lie had saved
was needed to help him out.
Aiaggie's father was interested In
her marrying man who could give
her u home and comforts. He believed
she would wed with one or the other
Of these two young captains and used
to say to them;
"The man that gets my daughter
with my consent must be able to take
care of her"
This at once caused rivalry be-
tween the two men for something more
mercenary than love. Ben In few
years owned a part OF the vessel he
commanded but Jack. owing to his
unsteadiness, was In about the same
condition as at his starting, Maggie
really began to love Ben. and jack.
thinking that his rival was favored be-
cause he had more means than he, be-
came very much disgruntled.
Toward the end of one Of Ben's voy-
ages he was approaching the coast OF
New England when what seemed to
be derelct appeared ahead Nearing
her. she was found TO be vessel lum-
hering in the waves half full of wafer,
part Of her cargo soaked and ruined,
but the rest in good condition. The
name on the stern was so blurred that
It could not be made out and il was
supposed that 1t had needed freshen-
ing when the vessel had been aban-
doned, and since. the waves beating
upon it, had rendered it still more
faint One man who examined it close
~ said that it had been scraped
The ship not being greatly damaged
and half the cargo in good condition,
Captain Ben saw n chance for prize
money for himself and his crew. lie
attached n hawser to her with view
of towing her Into the nearest port,
about 500 rlilcs distant. After a good
deal Of trouble. the cable parting sew
eral times, he succeeded In getting her
into Boston.
1t was not long before the prize was
identified and not much longer before
1t became evident that there had been
fraud In her abandonment. The water
was pumped out of her and hole
was found in her bottom. indicating
that she had been scuttled. she was
overinsured and. the two taken to-
gether, indicated that il was case of
attempted fraud on the insurance com.
panies. When Captain Ben was told
| the name of the vessel he was thun.
derstruck. 1t had been for several
years commanded by his rival
The next news Captain Ben learned
was that Captain Cady had arrived ut
home. reporting that after flightful
storm, finding his ship in sinking
condition, he had considered it ncces-
sary to take to the boats. All the
crew We're saved. Proofs OF loss had
been made to the insurance companies
and payment was daily expected.
1t was evident to Ben that in order
to overreach him in the wberewithal
to marry Maggie his rival had been
tempted to commit fraud which
would land him In state prison Lcav-
| ms bis first mate to sail his ship into
her destined port. Ben went home by
land. AS soon as he arrived lie sought
out his rival and told him of the find
ing of his ship, the towing her into
port and the discoveries that had fol
lowed.
| 81 don't wish to sec you punished
for your crime said Zen. land have
come to enable you to get away"
| 1t was .evidont from the culprit's de-
| meona,. that Ia wau already severely
punished in the loss OF the girl he had
hoped to win by fraud But whether
| there was thankfulness in his heart to
the man who had given him an OPP
portunity to escape prison, Ben did
| not feel assured. Certain 1t is that
Jack Cady was never again seen in
New England after that interview.
When Captain Ben met Maggie Swift
he found her much disturbed. His
rival had shown that he was about to
receive considerable money for his last
voyage and had made application to
her father for her hand. She did not
wish to marry Jack. but she idolized
her father. Ben told her of his find
ling SHIP and that considerable prize
money was due him. which he would
receive In time. But he said never o
word Of Jacks attempt to defraud.
However, 1t was not long before the
whole matter came out and Maggie.
and her father too-learned that IL II
had not been for Ben's find. had her
father prevailed. she would have mar.