Evening star., 1911-01-29

ALL ashore that's goin ashore! Sorry Ma'am,
~ can't let you aboard now; but them's me
horders It's too late can't elpit Jolly ard
enough it is to get em all ashore before ten MAJ and
we've got only six minutes to do it in. No, not even
one little minute if youd give the Ship Ma am!
All ashore that's goin ashore! Urry, please, every
body!"
This is the sort of argument heard annually by
million persons who go down to the steamship piers
in New York to say @Bon voyage!' Commotion and
emotion apparent everywhere The rapid changing
of bell and the deep hoarse blast of the liners whistle
jostle lingering relatives into hasty exit down the gang
plank Suddenly the Captain appears the bridge.
He gives heed to the futter of inery below him. If
the din of the voyage reaches his ears he does not hear
it. He preparing to back big steamship out into the
stream.
@Goodby! Drop postcard when you get to
Holyhead. Goodby Dear Sorry I'm not going along.
Goodby! See you at Osend in August Take good care
of Trixe now won't you, Deary? You bet will! Left
something for you in your stateroom Bill Good stuff
best they make in Kentucky! Hope nobody will hook
it. Goodby, Pop! Get me good pipe in London.
Goodby! Hello, Rachel, can see you-yes, can!
Take kiss to Mommer for me, Rachel, won't you?
That's nice girl Goodby! Bon voyage!"
While this semi intelligble babbe is its height the
gangplank is hauled in. The propellers, which
reversing slowly, turn faster. Stern and bow lines
are cast off. The liner The crowd the pier
rushes mady riverward keeping pace with the floating
popuace the rail- minute later the whole passenger
complement is congested forward at the bow, waving
frantcay. shouting srenuousy, to the friendly horde
at the end of the pier
This is the moment when pent tears roll down soft
cheeks. Dainty hands tumble for inadequate handker
chiefs 1t needs only word sometimes to tighten
depress situation at this crucial time of steamships
departure. When the Mauretania once leaving for
Liverpool young high school stentor, observant and
youthfuly cynical, mounted hand truck and for the
benefit of two moist eyed sisters shouted "f you have
tears prepare to turn the teartap now! hundred
persons nearby heard him. Some laughed Others who
needed only suggestion of this kind to weep, burst into
The young orator, realizing promptly what his
remarks had DONE crep abashed from his rostrum and
led his sisters from the pier
1t is trying time for folk ashore the liner
backs out and swings her bow toward Sandy Hook
There others, chiefly the wealthy and those who
travel much. who give more heed to this moment
of parting than to the direction of yesterdays wind
Some crowds, after saying bon voyage, loah
to leave than others. Many depart when they can
longer distinguish individuals the deck of the vanish
ing liner But there invariably every departure the
loved on board has disappeared completely from
view.
WHEN the Butcher sailed for Hamburg last summer
fat, unkempt German went to the pier in
Hoboken to say goodby to his wife and daughter. An
hour after the steamship had gone superintendent
found him sitting the strngpece holding sandwich
in one hand and fishing line in the other.
"How did you get this pier, you mutt asked the
superintendent gruf1y @What are you doing here?"
I'D have you know dot I'm a mutt" replied the
big German quietly. Il did here to my family