Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-05-02

3 Il changed my ship there empty
n.H@ berhs in my line of work For I was
E%a steward not sailor, and began my work
W. as cabn-boy with "Bucko Belchior' to
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 bclaying-pin readily he would
look at the compass criticize his steering he would
assault his he would his even though,
because of his reputation but the worst and the
toughest of "buckoes would sign with him. He would
brook derection of duty discipline efficiency.
and his forecaste constantly held at least one broken or
manned sailor who had aroused his dspleasure Over
six feet tail, he broad in proportion, with red hair
and red oyes--not red in tic whites from broken
hood-vcsses but red in the iris. When angry he
opened his eyes WIDE and the contrast OF color gave
Kim irightful expression.
But, as I said, he kind to me- and when would
'alf-lcarcdy try to escape he would always
hack, with pat on the shoulder and promise of
more pay
For | like you, SON." he would say, "and
there in the world there may be boy about your age
who may be my sor. may be the OF the other
fellow | don't know and never WILL for the srumpet
away with The boy in my absence Still like to
think he is mine Come aboard boy, and sign on
And 80 he held me but the beginning OF the sixth
voyage I resolved that it would be my last for he
surpassed himself in causeess, senseess brutality. He
loosened Frenchmans front teeth for the trivial Of
Tense of passing to windward OF him in the hurry of
work in shortening sail. lie repeated the feat upon his
second mate for the ofcnse and broke three ribs
with heavy blow. The second mate crawled to
his BERTH unable to attend to duty, and this involved
Captain Bechor's standing watch until he recovered
which did mitigate his ihumor. He went among
his watch night with Delaying pin and sent three
men their bunlis disabled. This brought draft of
two from the other watch, but these laid
up they displayed their ignorance OF Captain Bel
chior's code OF etiquette The first demonstrated
and was struck in the face Being first mate he
struck back. and then received perhaps, the worst
thrashing OF his life He took his berth, and for
few days the captain stood both watches; but the
end of three his endurance ended and he forced
slecp-whicl he did beside the wleel-box, with myself
watching the ship and ready waken him il anything
happened.
When he Weakened he seemed to be normal-that is,
he did not seek friction. And sought it from
him, things went on less smoothly, while the
injured recovered one by and resumed duty.
But one man aroused his wrat1--the Frenchman with
the loosened front teeth Inflammation had set in,
with neuralgia pains and the poor fellow was forced
to come aft and ask relief from the medicine chest.
Captain Belchiors while his fingers were long strong,
called me to bring him dentists tools from the med
cine chest then, witnessed, held his head the
back OF chair and wrenchcd two teeth from the in
famed and swollen gums of the before he resisted
Then strange thing happened; he was small man,
but his forearms large and brawny were
Captain Belchior's, while his myers long strong,
and sinewy Screaming with pain he reached tip and
cutchcd the captain by the throat, and though in the
succeeding struggle he thrown about the cabin
like Aai! 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 con-
ycntiona: Captain Bechor kicked him out of the
cabin, and thu Frenchnlan, splitting blood and groanng
piHiuy, went forward while the captain, breathing
hard, sat down in the chair to recover his breath
Steward" he said at last, with 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 me to a cabinet built into the bulkhead opened
Il, and showed square glass jar such is used
n small aquarums. 1t was covered, and held semi
transparent liquid. Taking off the cover he speared
INTO the liquid with long wooden spoon, and saw
unal shapeess objects floating about.
"Just twenty-five years ago this month Steward" he
said, musngy, u shipped in bark O Boston, and
before ont OF the bay the first mate and the
sosun had RE down the deck and were clubbing
ny head off with iron Delaying ms"
"And what were you doing all this time, Captain
/ asked, glanced at his powerful shoulders
Il was chewing the off the second mate Here
it is"
He hshed up grisly twisted piece of flesh, and !
shrank back
Here he went on, paying no attention me, Blu,
prodding away at the fragments, lis the nose of
niger who thought he better than me- And
here we have two fingers Of Liverpool shipping.
master Hello, what's the matter?"
had sat down on chair too faint with disgust
and horror to stand and watch him.
Nothing, sir" answered. "Sinply--well, I wasn'
expecting it, SIR
"Oh" he said grufhy Nerves hey? Well, you'll
ret used to this soon I'll make man O you yet
Pick up those teeth told you, and when they
ire clean drop them into my collection"
obeycd him. and when deposited the exhibit mex
lay he imposed upon the task Of caring for thu