The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-07-18
Written by Charles Goddard,
the Distinguished Playwright, The Mislead-
ing Lady" "The Ghost Breaker" 'eThe Man
from the Sea-" Etc.

from the
regret that pirates were extinct. A pirate
would have been very useful to the secre-
tary Just then.
However. there were other cutthroats,
plenty Of them. and perhaps some other
kind would do. There were gunner, for
instance, but an honest District Attorney
had lately made these murderous gentle
men of the underworld almost as quiet ~
pirates. He was still bordering when
Hicks called again on the telephone. This
an immediate appointment in cafe near
Torty-second street.
Owen related the events Of the week.
ending with Pauline's hankering for
pirates. The two men got their heads to
gether and rapidly evolved plan.
From the cafe they took taxi and rode
along the water front. first on one side Of
the island Of Manhattan and then ON the
other. The cab stopped near tho worst
looking saloons, while the two schemers
longshoremen refreshing themselves at
the bars. After covering several miles Of
water front they had collected as many
a. q dozen abominable barroom cigars and
q few equally dubious drinks, but had not
yet found what they were looking for.
and both cried out:
Look, there he is."
The man was q wild-looking specimen.
He had the rolling gait Of the deep sea. A
squirting eye gave him v1lla1nous 1eer,
while q bristly beard and long gray hair
made him ferocious spectacle. His age
was doubtful, AZ the lines in his rudy
skin might have been cut by dissipation
as much as age. The most prominent feat
ure OF his unlovely countenance was .
nose. fiery red from prolonged exposure to
''If he isn't a pirate he ought to be one"
said Owen.
The man carried the top Of . ships bin
nacle, rs the round brass case which. holds
q ships compass is called. He entered the
dismal portal Of a marine junk shop. The
taxi was stopped discreetly q block away.
AS Owen and Hicks approached the shop
they heard q loud argument going on In
side.
.'How much do you want for it,"
Ten dollars. It's a brand-new Negus."
Ten nothing. You stole It, you son Of
q sea cook. I'll give you dime for It."
Il did not steal it, SO help me "@!
The captain Of that lime juicer over In
the North River gave Il to me for savins
take anything wanted, but fancied this.
I'll tell You about it.
Then Owen and Hicks. listening Just out
side, heard q fearful and wonderful tale.
To relate It in the sailors own words,
stripped of the long deep-sea oaths, would
specks out Of q sage cheese.
In brief, the gentleman with the bin
nacle, sauntering innocently along the
docks Friday night, had heard q commo-
ton on the British tramp which he re-
ferred to as q lime juicer." Some fifteen
or more longshoremen had invaded the
ship, overcome the captain, tied him down
and were about to kidnap his daughter.
The teller Of the story had walked in and
thrashed them all single-handed. driven
- "a - L. .~nA AH<N
little girl and released the captain. In
gratitude the commander had made him
q present Of the pinnacle head.
At the conclusion Of the story there was
a pause, then the other voice answered:
you're q wonder. AS said before, IN
cents Tor the story. Now You can take It
or I'll have you pinched for gwiping It
Gimme the dollar" said the hero Of
the tale, and q moment later he passed
down the street with the two eavesdrop-
pers At his heels.
The sailor man. proceeding at . rapid
pace, suddenly turned corner like .
yacht jibing around . buoy and plunged
into . dingy saloon. Owen and Hicks
went in after him.
Owen ordered and invited the sailor TO
Join them. The mariner accepted with
alacrity, and entertained them with .
vivid description of the character. descent
and habits Of the bartender, who listened
with Indifference - long a. money was
In sight.
The sailor and his new-found friends
grew quite sociable. They learned tha&
his name was Nelson Cromwell Boyd, that
he had deserted from the British navy at
a tender age, and since then had been
through . series Of Incredible adventures
and injustices, which disproved the old
adage that you can't keep = good man
down. Among other things he had been .
printer for q while. thus accounting for
such Of his vocabulary rs was respectable.
He took . particular fancy to Hicks
At last Owen intimated that he had .
business proposition to discuss, and they
adjourned to the sidewalk.
DO you want to earn some money!"
asked Hicks.
~well. that depends" sid Boyd. doubt
fully.
Easy money" suggested Owen
That's the only kind worth going aria"
commented the sailor.
That's where No agree with you, my
friend" said Hicks- I'VE arc after easy
money and plenty Of Il. Plenty for NJ
and plenty for you. too. 4 yoa cao hssp
quiet about Il. =
That's the kind Of talk me to hear.
But ~ honest man TO honest nan. wanG
to warn you that there uuD(nt b too