The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1911-02-05

on the bars that formerly blocked the
approach to the harbor. Where once only
ships of the shallowest draft could float
now ships of the deepest drafts could
come and so without trouble.
When the twenty millionaires arrived
in Galveston the jetties were newer than
they are today. The tremendous work
they were to do was only beginning. The
whole world knew they were a magnif-
cent success and that they marked a de-
cided step forward in harbor improve
ment.
The twenty millionaires, with all res
pect to their entertainers, were more de-
sirous of seeing those wonderful walls the
government had built out into the sea
than they were to inspect the wharves
or the homes or the thorougfares of Gal
weston. The jetties meant increased bust.
ness for the M, X. & t., and those
twenty millionaires were strictly business
They gently intimated that IL the dele
cation would cut out the joy riding and
hurry up the jetty trip they would be de-
lighted The committee, although this in.
terfered sadly with the programme as
they had planned it, FASTENED to do as
their guests desired.
They sent to the office of the army en-.
gineer, under whose direction the work
on the jettlesa was being done, for per
mission to use the big oceangoing tug
Hortence for the accommodation of the
millionaires. Army people are extremely
polite, but confoundedly formal. No one
could give the necessary order because
the major, who bossed the government
job, happened to be absent. Where was
the major? No one seemed to know. He
might return any minute and he might
not be in for hours. The messengers
waited patiently five or ten minutes, and
then reported to the committee. While
the messengers were at the army office
the committee had escorted the million
aires to the pier, where the Hortense was
moored, and all hands had gone aboard
The committeeman knew the major, and
were we'll aware of his peculiarities. They
knew he was one of the greatest engi-
neers in the government service but he
was extremely irascibe, and occasionally
he acted peculiarly. This was one of his
peculiar days they had reason to believe
from some reports that had come to them
If they could get into communication
with him there would be no difficulty ir
obtaining permission to use the govern
ment tug, but to reach him was another
matter. Half a dozen resorts he was
known to visit at times were called up
by telephone, but without getting trace of
him.
Meanwhile the millionaires wondered at
the delay. The longer the party delayed
the more impatient the visitors became,
and at last one of the local men took 1t
upon himself to tell the captain of the
Hortence that he would take upon him
self the responsibility of ordering the
boat away. The captain was reluctant,
but at last consented. The lines were
cast off and the big tug started on her
trip. Little did the twenty millionaires
imagine what would be their experience
before that trim was ended
Up and down the bay the Hortense
steamed forgive to the august company a
worthy view of the commerce of the port,
and then the tug was pointed out towards
the entrance of the harbor. Within an
hour the visitors were seeing the jetties
at close range. Every detail of the colos4
sal work was explained to them. The tug
steamed close along the great walls of
limestone and granite that forms the
north jetty, and it was followed to its
end far out in the Gulf of Mexico. Then
the Hortense went beyond the jettes SO
the visitors could meet some incoming
vessels from over the seas. The day was
ideal. Off to the east there was a specls
on the horizon that suggested a storm,
but it was so far distant that there was
no danger from 1t.
The fresh sea air was so refreshing
after the long Journey over the hot prair-
enjoyed it immensely. Even the Fall
River cotton man took a chance and ex-
banded his lungs with good draught OF
fresh air. He wheezed and coughed a lot
but tried 1t once more. The Gulf breezes
he conf1ded to one of his ,frieuds, were sc
mild in comparison with those of the
North Atlantic that he believed he would
get rid of his asthma If he lived in Tex
as for a while.
he C,,If tee Aoy,
begun to pail on the party the Hortense
turned back. This time the tug skirted
the south Jetty. Here the visitors had
the pleasure OF seeing some anglers catch
tarpon, and they went into raptures whe
they witnessed the great fight the silver
king Of the Southern seas makes when
he gets hooked.
The shore end of the jetty was near al
hand, and the Hortense was about to
enter the harbor when the man in the
pilot house espied q craft heading out
from the bay under full steam Its
whistle was footing and a man stood In
the bow signalling with his hat The
captain of the Hortense reached for ms
glasses, trained them on the approaching
craft and then whistled in a way that
made the wheelman glance at him sharp
ly.
IT think" said the captain. "lt's the
major"
The wheelman smiled queerly and the
captain took up his glasses again. min
ute later he announced, Eyes, it's the
major and from the way his jaws are GO
ing I'll bet "a thousand to one he's
swearing a blue streak"
On came the tug, her whistle still toot-
ing. The Hortense shut down her engines
as the other tug approached and soon
the two vessels were within hail. The
man in the bow of the approaching tug
was coming aboard, the announcement
was made, and minute later he did
come aboard. He did not do it grace
fully and that did not tend to improve
his temper But for the captain he would
have fallen to the deck. Once he righted
himself he turned fiercely on the captain
whats the meaning of this?" he de-
manded. "Who ordered you to take my
boat with this crowd of people?"
The captain endeavored to explain, but
before he had gone far one or the local
committeeman stepped forward and start
ed to tell the major of the efforts to get
into communication with him. of the i'm
nlense wealth and distinction of the visi-
tors and the embarrassment the commit
tee would have been subjected to had
they not been able to show the jetties tc
the gentlemen.
lot of millionaires you seize government
vessel.' cried the major.
Cease your shouting" said the com