Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1912-01-24

but love and harmony ruled the hours.
Sunday-the day following the receipt
Of tie captains ietter--I borrowed grand
fathers horse and sleigh, and with sister
In charge we drove to the ferry, four miles
away. The roads had not been broken
from heavy storm Of the previous week,
and where the roadside stonewalls held
the snow too deep, we kept away and
made tracks through the more open places
across the farmers fields. Learned later
that when half mile on our way, mother
most desperately desired to apply the
popular idea Of .fecail', but too late.
Mothers of to-day would hardly permit
boy OF that age to be elected to any pur-
pose of work and much less to take win
ter-lodgings In freless iorecastle, herd.
ing with Apacnes OF the slums and cor
morants OF the sea. Az q rule, they are
now less Spartan, less wise and less help
full towards the welfare and advancement
OF possibly ambitious boy.
Since the sea lost its halo OF romance by
the invasion OF steam, and early fortunes
to be gathered from 1t are but tales OF the
past, the American boy does not take to
the water, but II he were put together
about right at first, no evil surroundings
will lastingly injure him, while possible
hardships will but lend self-reliance and
the courage that life needs.
Eggemoggin was neither open or closed,
but the ferryman and his passenger
punched the way across through drifting
ice and a farmer drove the traveller over
to Dority's for the night.
In the evening went down on the
bridge, which scintillated in the moon
light and was resonant from frost.
went there to be alone; in endesvor to
draw In the heartstrings that were cling
ing to home. Later examined the hotel
register, which was much like later day
fad called album, in which you wrote
your name and other thoughts IL you had
any. As previous patrons had done,
spelled few remarks into that old book.
In some yawning hour OF the night
breakfast was taken, and one Of the Chem
young and genial Doritys drove me to
North Castine ferry before sunrise, where
connection was made with stage to Bucks
port. Dinner was had in the house later
made famous by the Jed Prouty play, and
then stage to the Bangor house, where the
night was passed.
Along the way picked up an acquaint-
ance with q young man named Judson
Freethy, who was en- route for New York
to 20 as mate OF vessel from that port.
That was beyond my class, but be Was
agreeable and didn't mind. From Bucks
port to Boston--in stage, hotel and cars
there was q Mr.. Trussel, who then did
lumber business in Chelsea, Mass. Motto
nurse, he questioned me and offered most
fatherly advice. In parting, he whimsi-
caliy hoped that some day, as a captain,
might bring cargo to his consignment. /
never did, but often wished that it might
be. / mention this to show how disin-
tcrested kindnessi from a man towards
lone boy, though but q few pleasing words,
may be long RENE mbered and appreciated.
In Boston found the Meteor loading at
Gray's wharf with general cargo. There
was no one living on board save the mate.
He was an able, sailorly man, but not
over scholarly, and he iisped. He wore
earrings containing loose, COCK billed an
chors, had blonde whiskers and he
''chewed". lived in the cabin with him
until the vessel was nearly ready for sea,
then, moving to the forecastle, never saw
fire again that winter-save when I visit
fully looked through the forbidden galley
door. Things have changed - our fore
castles are now heated by steam. The
former usage was bsrbarous!
The second mate, q fierce Azorean bru-
nette, murderer OF English, with raven
whiskers, also wore earrings and had an
chors formed by small brass pegs on the
taps Of his best boots.
We sailed on the dying end OF nor'-
west gale, and before clearing the channel,
were caught in a blizzard with shoals all
too close under theilee. Sail was reduced
to meet an ordinaryiblow, and overheard
the master shout to the mate, through
gritting teeth: "Noimore sail off tonight
unless God takes it OIL" She cleared the
shoals, but an unseen Inland took half the
sails away-iust leaving the border ropes
holding whipping rags and twisted
threads. Twas bitter night! The for
ward house was stove by the sea and, in
common with others, my limited outfit OF
clothing was almost alost or destroyed.
For more than forty years afterward was
never again so nearly naked-until the
late loss of the Medford.
What later happened on that early voy-
age would make another chapter, IL not
book. Tanks sailed; half the provisions
soaked and spoiled; INSTRUMENTATION
crushed chased by a Confederate cruiser
until welcome darkness and sudden storm
came to our relief.
The Meteor was tidy craft and always
kept in good order, which spells work,
and was something Of what sailors call a
shot ship" Therel were ''stun's'ls" and
skysail with no rstlines above the cross
trees-which means hard climbing. At
first the mates seemed to think l owned