The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-04-26

a later cabiegra m--giving the story
of the wreck and the names OF the
captain, first officer, boatswain, seven
sailors and one lady passenger as
those OF the saved, feeble old gem
tleman had raised his voice In
quavering scream. high above the
sobbing Of women. and said
MY daughter-in-law is safe; but
where Is my son-where il my son,
and my grandchild?" Then he had
hurried away. but was back again the
next day. and the next. And when.
On the tenth day OF waiting and
watching. he learned of another boat
load OF sailors and children arrived
at Gibraltar. he sho6k his head slow
Is, muttering: George, George" and
left the room. That night. after
telegraphing the consul at Gibraltar VI
his coming. he crossed the channel.
In the first tumultuous riot Of In
quiry, when underwriters had climbed
over desks and each other to hear
again of the wreck of the ''Titan,"
one---the noisiest of all, corpulent.
hooknosed man with flashing black
eyes--had broken away from the
crowd and made his way to the cap
tain's room. where, after a daught of
brandy, ne had seated himself heavily.
with a groan that came from his soul.
Father Abraham" he muttered;
this will ruin me"
Others came in. some to drink,
some to condofe-ali, to talk.
Hard hit, Meyer?' asked one.
Ten thousand he answered,
gloomily.
Serve you right" said another un-
kindly: have more baskets for your
eggs. Knew you'd bring up
to lcA
a this. he said nothing, but drank
himself stupid and was assisted home
BY one Of his clerks. From this on,
neglecting his Misunderstanding to
occasionally visit the bulletins-he
spent his time in the captains room
drinking heavily, and bemoaning his
luck. On the tenth day he read with
watery eyes. posted on the bulletin
below the news of the arrival at Gil
braltar OF the second baodolat- offlw;
braltar Of the second boat-load OF
people. the following:
'IAfe-buoy Of Royal Agc.' london.
picked UP among ~reckagc In Lat.
45-24, Il. Lon. b4-3f w. Ship Arctic
Boston, Capt. Brandt"
"Oh, mine good God" he howled.
as he rushed toward the captains
room.
Poor devil-poor damn fool OF an
Israellte," said one observer to an
other He covered the whole Of the
Royal Age and the biggest chunk OF
the Titan ft'li take his wifes dia-
monds to settle.'
Three weeks later. Mr.. Myer was
aroused from a brooding letAArgy. ~
crowd OF shouting underwriters,
who rushed into the captains room.
seized him by the shoulders. and hur-
ried him out and up to bulletin.
Read 1t. Meyer-read it. What
dyou think Of it?'' With some din
Guilty he read aloud. while they
watched his face:
John Rowland, sailor OF the sTIs
TAM with child passenger. name un-
Christiansand. Norway. Both dam
gerously Ill. Rowland speaks Of ship
cut In half night before loss OF II.
tam"
"what do you make Of II, Meyer
Royal Age isn't IT." asked one.
Yes Moderated another. i've
figured back. Only ship not reported
lately. Overdue two months. Was
spoken same day fifty miles east OF
that iceberg"
ing said about II IN the captains
statement--looks queer
"vel. what OF it," said Mr.. Meyer
painfully and stupidity: deere Is a col
lision clause in der "Titans policy; I
merely bay the money to der steam
ship company instead OF to der Royal
Age beepie."
But why did the captain conceal
it," they shouted at him. Whats
his object-assured against collision
SUITS"
Der looks of 1t. perhaps - looks
pad"
Nonsense. Meyer. what's the mat.
ter with, you? Which one Of the lost
tribes did you spring from--you're
like none of Your race-drinkinx
yourself stupid like a good Christian.
I've got thousand on the Titan. and
if I'm TO pay II want to know why.
You've got tho heaviest risk and the
brain TO fight for it--you've got to
do It. Go home. straighten up. and
attend to this. Wen watch Rowland
till you take hold. We're all caught"
They put him into a cab. took him
to a Turkish bath and then home.
The next morning he was at his
desk. clear-eyed ana ciear-headed.
and for few weeks was busy.
scheming man of business.
CHAPTER NJ.
On certain morning. about two
months after tne ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ia
the loss OF the Titan" Mr.. Meyer sat
at his desk In the Rooms. busily
writing when the old gentleman who
had bewaiied the death OF his son In
the Intelligence offlee, tottered In ana
took a chair beside him.
Good morning. Mr. SelfridEe" he
said. scarcely looking up; II suppose
you have come to see der insurance
paid over Der sixty days are up"
Yes yes. Mr., Meyer" said the ola
gentleman YEARLY: ''of course, AZ
merely n steckholder. san take no
active part: but I am a member here.
and naturally little anxious All
had In the world--evep to my son
and grandchild--was in the Titan"
TT is very sad. Mr.. Seifridge: you
have my deepest sympathy. ! pelieve
you are der largest holder OF Titan
stock--about one hundred thousand.
L. It not?'
lam der heaviest insurer;- so. Mr.,
6elfridEe, this battle will be largely
between you and myself
'Battle--is there to be any diffi-
eulty?" asked Mr.. Selfridge. anxious
ly.
'Berhaps-I do not know. Der
underwriters and ouside companies
have placed matters in my hands and
will not bay until take der initia-
tive. We must hear from one John
Rowland. who, with little child. was
1 49, - rn<J - Las 90