Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1914-02-24


was ettusively introduced to Matt as
Captain Schwartz Of the schooner Es-
meralda.
II fancied you had up with the mud.
hook and cleared a month ago" cried
Coleman.
mo such luck" growled Captain
Schwartz in q strong German accent
Everybody behind; everybody hum.
bugging; drouble. drouble. drouble all
the time"
Here's some more" said Coleman
cheerfully. indicating Matt Hes go,
Ing with you. and when may he come
aboard? He's a south sea captain like
yourself and has lost his ship"
"ship7 Vat ship" inquired Schwartz,
awakening to interest.
1.-The topsail schooner North Star,
said Matt in a shiver Of expectation
| and hope
Hes stuck here without cent, u
put In Coleman, land It don't matter
to him much where you land him as
long as 1t Is something dry, with a
palm tree on 1t and cold missionary
on the sideboard.
They all laughed at this, and then
Schwartz said. II wasn't meaning to
stop anywhere this side Of the Solo.
mons. but he can gone; he can gone"
Laying his hand on Matt's shoulder
he added: "Old south sea captains
should stand together You'd have
done the same for me, and dat Is all
there Is to It."
His wife's along" interjected Cole
man, winking at Matt, "and a corking
young woman she is too. Sings splen,
did and plays the mandoleen, and II
will be dandy Of moonlight night to
sit on the poop and hear her"
"You got a wife?" asked the cap
tain. apparently much pleased. Say.
but dat will be fine! Young. she Isl"
"Twenty-three." replied Matt.
Schwartz looked happier than ever.
"You come on to Malaita," he said
me, / am married. too. and got two
leetle babies. 80 high-everything fine,
Hne, but my wife she Is very lone.
some for white society. / think she
Jump for Joy to see another young
white lady. And I'll get you a goot
poseetion on the plantation or In th'
company's store"
Then nothing would satisfy Schwartz
but that he should return with Mat
and be present when the great news
was broken to Chris. Saying goodby
to Coleman, they started walking arm
| In arm, like a pair Of cronies; for thu
Esmeralda was to sail the next day
and Schwartz had promised him thu
owners cabin, as we'll as inviting hin
and Chris to dine on board that verJ
night. BY way of celebration Mat
bought bunch Of roses and a box o.
candy, and 1t was in this gala fashioI
and with overhowing spirits that n
mounted the stairs Of No. 7 ant
knocked at Chris door.
"Shake hands with the best ant
kindest fellow in the world" he ex
claimed as she shrank Mt the sight o
stranger. Chris. this is Captain
Schwartz of the schooner Esmeralda
who has dropped from heaven to res
cue U.s."
"Dis is the first time was ever re
ported from heaven" said Schwartz
laughing explosively. Delighted t
meet you, Mrs. Broughton. No. THANH
you, l will not sit down. | weeshe'
merely to give my invitation in person
and extend the courtesies OF my shil
to so charming a lady"
1.-The captain wants us to dine OF
board tonight" Matt explained. "an'
tomorrow we sail with him to the Is
lands! Just think Of 1t, Chris-we'r
sailing tomorrow, actually sailing to
morrow
Anywhere you like, old chap" pu
In Schwartz royalty, though II yo'
will listen to me, Mrs. Broughton, yo'
will 20 on to Malaita, where my VIII
Is, and the captain can get good pc
section"
"And we're to have the owner
cabin, Chris" cried Matt Did yo'
ever hear the like of that! Isn't tina
kind. though? Isn't that wonderful
Isn't that dropping from heavenY
Chris, now excited too. admitted tina
It wus. and with shining eyes regard
ed the man to whom they owed $
much. They took street car to tn
waterfront, where they walked alon
on foot until they reached the whar
where the Esmeralda was lying. Il
contrast with the towering clippe
ships NIL about her the Esmerald
| appeared to be a toy. and so diminr
| tive that they had to descend to he
deck by ladder. She was a typici
south sea schooner. built on sharp an
yacht like lines and heavily SPARE
| for her size.
In the little main cabin they wer
made acquainted with Mr.. Brandei'
| the mate, who was making up his a.
| counts at the table. with small pile
Of gold and silver coin stacked on tn
various bills. Mr.. Brandeis was
very fair. irritable looking man OF MT
or so. with a lonk mustache. wh
spoke no English. and shook hano
solemnly at bis superior's bidding.
"a goot chap" said Captain Schwart
smiling. laying his hand on the mate
shoulder. Reads books-all the tin
he reads books-and never talks e!
cept to contradict you. and say you al
liar on page 70. or fool on pae
203. Some day I'll throw him owe
board and shoot his books after hi
and say: Go and prove It to II
feeshr"
| Beyond the captains, and reache
by a narrow passageway. was Il
owners cabin'-another cubical wi,
barely room for a couple of~bYri
\ superimposed m .xo 3 slsOt H