The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-04-13

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 hunan form never lived As it was put Xe&a4Su in six long voyages with Captain Belchior, &SAu partly because of his kindness partly be- R H WM cause of the hard luck which followed Uk&/Y all through my seafaring career and decreed X Hs2 that in every port where might have
 changed my ship there empty
 berths in my line of work. For I was steward not sailor, and began my work
 as cabin-boy with "Bucko Belchior,'
 finish as steward when his work was done. He had earned this prefix at the time when he sailed as second and first mate. He would lay sailors head open with belaying-pin as readily he would look at the compass criticize his steering he would assault his mates he would his men, even though, because of his reputation, but the and the srsaKhest of "buckoes would sign with him. He would brook derelicton of duty, discipline efficiency, and his forecase constantly held at least broken naimed sailor who had aroused his displeasure. Over six feet ta he broad in proportion, with red hair and red eyes-not red in the whites as from broken blood-vessels but red in the iris. When angry he opened his eyes wde and the contrast of color gave him frightful expression.
 But as said, he kind to me, and when would half-heartedly try to escape he would always back, with pat the shoulder and promise of pay.
 For I like you son." he would say, "and some where in the world there may be boy about your age who may be my son, or may be the son of the other fellow. don't know and will for the strumpet ran away with the boy in my absence. Stil like to think he is mine. Come aboard, boy and sign on' And he held me- but at the beginning of the sixth voyage I resolved that it would be my last, for he surpassed himself in causeless, senseless brutality He loosened Frenchmans front teeth for the trivial of fense of passing windward of him in the hurry of work in shortening sail He repeated the feat upon his second for the ofense and broke three ribs with one heavy blow The second mate crawled to his berth unable to attend to duty, and this involved Captain Bechiors standing watch until he recovered which did not mitigate his i1-humor. He went among his watch night with belayng- and sent three men their bunks disabled This brought a draft of two from the other watch, but these soon laid up they displayed their ignorance of Captain Bel chiors code of etiquette The first mate demonstrated and struck in the face. Being first mate, he struck back, and then received, perhaps the worst thrashing of his life He too took his berth and for few days the captain stood both watches but at the end of three his endurance ended and he forced seep-which he did beside the whee-box. with myself watching the ship and ready to waken him if anything happened
 When he wakened he seemed to be normal-that is, he did seek friction And no sought from him, things went more or less smoothly while the injured men recovered by and resumed duty. Rnt aroused his wrath-the Frenchman with the 1oosened front teeth. Inflammation had set in, with neuralgia pains, and the poor fellow forced to come aft and ask relief from the medicine chest
 
 called bring him dentists toolss from the med- cine chest then, witnessed, held his head the back of chair and wrenched teeth from the in- famed and swollen gums of the before he resisted Then strange thing happened; he small man, but his forearms large and brawny as were Captain Bechiors, while his nngers long, strong and sinewy. Screaming with pain he reached up and cutched the captain by the throat and, though the succeeding struggle he thrown about the cabin like fail in the hands of farmer, yet he held on, gripping with both hands and squeezing hard until the captain almost black in the face fell upon him and forced him to release his hold The was con- ventional; Captain Belchior kicked him out of the cabn and the Frenchman, splitting blood and grooming pitifu1y, went forvard, while the captain, breathing hard, sat down in the chair to recover his breath.
 Steward" he said at last with a pleasant smile, pick up those two teeth, boil them and them clean, and put them in my collection. Ever see my museum? I'll show you"
 He led cabinet built into the bukhead opened if. and showed square glass jar such is used in small aquariums. It covered and held semi transparent liquid Taking off the cover, he speared into the liquid with long, wooden spoon, and saw small, shapeless objects floating about
 "Just twenty-five years ago this month Steward" he said musingly T shipped in bark O Boston, and before out of the bay the first mate and the bosun had down on the deck and clubbing my head off with iron beaying- pins"
 And what were you doing all this time Captain" I asked, as glanced at his powerful shoulders.
 ~I chewing the of the second mate: Here is"
 He 6shed Up grisly, twisted piece of flesh, and shrank back.
 Here" he went on, paying attention to me, but prodding away at the fragments "is the of nigger who thought he better than And here have two fingers of Liverpool shipping master. Hello, what's the matter?"
 I had sat down chair, too faint with disgust and horror to stand and watch him. Nothing, sir' I answered. "Simply-well, I wasn't expecting it, sir"
 "Oh," he said, grufny. "Nerves, hey? We'll, you'll get used to this soon. I'll make O you yet. Pick up those teeth I told you, and when they are clean drop them into my collection"
 I obeyed him. and when deposited the exhibit next day he imposed upon the task of caring for the