The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-05-03

ss& sss Ra f1a1a4 your silence in regard to this collision, the reporting of which would embar- rass the company and help no one"
 "On the contrary, captain, shall not receive it. On the contrary, sir, shall speak of this wholesale murder at the first opportunity
 The captain leaned back and stared at the debauched face and trembling figure of the sailor, with which this defiant speech so little accorded. Un- der ordinary circumstances he would have sent him on deck to be dealt with by the officers. But this was not an ordinary circpmstance. In the watery eyes was look of shock and horror and honest indignation. The accents were those of an educated man, and the consequences hanging over him. self and the company for which he worked-already complicated by and involved in his efforts to avoid them which this man might precipitate were so extreme that such questions as in- science and difference in rank were not to be thought of. He must meet and. subdue this Tartar on common ground-as man to man.
 "Are you aware, Rowland" he asked quietly, 'that you will stand alone, that you will be discredited, lose your berth and make enemies?' q am aware of more than that" an- swered Rowland excitedly. "I know of the power vested in you as captain. l know that you can order me into irons from this room for any ofense you wish to imagine. And I know that an unwitnessed, uncorroborated entry in your official log concerning me would be evidence enough to bring me life Imprisonment. But T also know something of admiralty law that from my prison cell I can send you and your first officer to the gal lows"
 "You are mistaken in your concep- tions of evidence. could not cause your conviction by log book entry, nor could you from a prison injure me. What are you, may I ask-an ex- lawyerY'
 "A graduate of Annapolis = your equal in professional technique"
 "And you have interests at Washing ton?'
 "None whatever"
 "And what is your object in taking this stand, which can do you no possi- ble good, though certainly not the harm you speak ofr'
 "That may do one good, strong act in my useless life, that I may help to arouse such sentiment of anger in the two countries as will forever end this wanton destruction of life and property for the sake of speed, that will save the hundreds of fishing craft and others run down yearly to their owners, and the crews to their fami- lies''
 Both men had risen. and the captain was pacing the floor as Rowland, with flashing eyes and clinched fists, deliv- cred this declaration.
 "A result to be hoped for, Rowland" said the former, pausing before him, 1 "but beyond your power or mine to ac- complish. Is the amount I named large enough? Could you fill a posi- tion on my bridge"
 "I can fill a higher, and your compa, ny is not rich enough to buy me-"
 "You seem to be a man without am- bition, but you must have wants" Food, clothing, shelter-and whis- ky" said Rowland with bitter, self contemptuous laugh. The captain reached down a decanter and two glasses from a swinging tray and said as he placed them before him: Here is one of your wants. Fill up." Rowland's eyes glistened as he poured out glassful, and the captain followed.
 T will drink with you, Rowland" he said. Here is to our better under standing" He tossed off the lquors then Rowland, who had waited, said, 'I prefer drinking alone, captain" !" and drank the whisky at gulp. The cap tain's face flushed at the affront, but he controlled himself.
 "Go on deck, now, Rowland" he said. "I will talk with you again be fore we reach soundings. Meanwhile request-not require, but request that you hold no useless conversation with your shipmates in regard to this matter"
 To the first officer, when relieved al eight bells, the captain said: "He fs broken down wreck with a tempo
 rarily active conscience, but is not the man to bay or intimidate. He knows too much. However, we've found h1s
 weak point. If he gets snakes before
 we dock his testimony is worthless
 Fill him up and I'll see the surgeon
 and study up on drugs.' l tTo Be Cont1nued.) There are people in this town wht l unthinkingly neglect "a mere cold