The Republican journal., 1914-10-29
Early Aspirations.
Good Luck and the Hoodoo.

8 In the sea coast village OF my now
somewhat far away boyhood we general
ly had bit one course in w-first to
be sailor, and to become later rhen-
matte old "Cap'n" with an orchard and
q permanent Crouch.
can remember of but one earlier am
bition: There was a genial old cobbler
up on the back road who sold US sticks
of painted candy, told US thrilling stories
and tapped our boots. I admired the
man and his vocation so openly that my
indulgent grandfather promised to build
me shop on our corner where might
also patch shoes and sell candy; but later
he built me boat instead of shop, and
''the call of the wild" was on.
The boat and the bay were soon out
grown there came a desire to sail on
deeper waters-and as the boat had
given a taste of authority over other
boys, who we're ever ready to act as
crew, there came an early desire to
sometime be real commander, far out
on some of the "Seven Seas.
But from the hawse-pipes to the quar-
ter deck there is long, hard climb, and
as one may progress in seamanshlp-and
in his own estimation with none but
strangers to depend upon for promotion,
it may sometimes impatlently seem that
half lifetime may be passed before
raise to the third degree.
In my case there had been a time when
the grandfather could have helped, but
his small navy had been nearly all wreck
ed before 1 was half grown. At one
time, however, when | was seventeen,
and at home on visit, he did suggest
placing me in command of topsall
schooner, which was all he then had left.
NV sister vetoed the scheme and men
toned lack of discretion in one so
young. I must have been dull regard
ing the value of some words, not in daily
use around deck, for did not quite know
what she meant to imply. There was
no such word in the dictionary-W
"g" in the middle. But she herself had
strong hold on language, and always
meant we'll, so let it pass-and also the
topsail schooner.
| had the good fortune to sail under
some of the best masters. One was
James B. Bartlett of Orrington, who
built and very successfully sailed on dis
tant seas the fast brig American Union.
He was a scholarly man, teacher In MS
youth, an ideal seaman and a good
friend.
continued to serve other masters and
strangers as best l could, and perhaps
that was none too well.
An awkwardly strong and over grown
youth, with no fine sense of when to be
scared, may easily advance in such life
more readily than one of more delicate
form and sensitive mold. In all lower
stations of life Drawn is better than
brain.
While yet no more than of common
grammar school age, it had been easy te
pass from lower degrees up to mate, but
to get any farther was slower work. YET
there came day when las convent
ence) was promoted from mate to tenn
porary substitute-master to go on "yel
low fever trip" where the regular mas
ter dared not go. The voyage was quite
successful and, by good luck, proved ar
early stepping stone to more permanent
things. At the end of the service, being
relieved by the regular master, l went
home in new clothes, joined temper
ance society, was raised in Masonry,
passed my twenty-second birthday anc
voted a straight Republican ticket, al
in one month of September.
One who had long aspired to some OF
the honors which the year had conveyed
should not be blamed if he then felt that
he had pretty nearly ARRIVED"
On seeking further employment and
other worlds to conquer, the few shipping
firms that happened to know seemed to
be over-supplied with masters and l was
just ready to sail on long voyage as
mate of Emery's bark Reunion when a
chance came up to command the brig
Selma, built in Belfast and owned solely
by Albert A. Cobb of Boston, an i'm
porter of East India and other foreign
goods. He owned but few vessels,
which were generally employed with car
goes to his consignment.
Mr.. Cobb was very large man OF
commanding appearance, and had the
sharpest black eyes had ever seen in
an American. They seemed to be look
ing through ones soul, and perhaps could
see some weakness there that might be
safely hidden from others; but, as l
found later, he could also see minute vir-
tues and was openly appreciative. He
concisely informed me what he required,
ana l enormously gathered the impress
sion that was engaged to serve taut
master.
The appointment had been secured
through the influence of Mr.. D. S. En-
erv and he. feeling the responsibility,
took me aside and gave private lecture
sLG ELL