The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1915-11-28
lCoPyTight, 1851

pCCNCQ ONCl
Before me stretched pier. The
most lonesome pier ever saw. 1t
was an aged and decrepit pier. When
ever infrequent passengers landed
from 6shing-boats they did cancan
from one solid spot to another. /
cannot find words to describe the
wretched loneliness of the structure;
it looked as if it were the only thing
in the world, surrounded by unhappy
memories and bleak wind. Still, it
was a place to go, and / went.
And there, huddled against one OF
the rotting, swaying piles, l found
the A. A. B. This degree confers
upon the owner the privilege OF
smoking the worst tobacco known
to man or pirate, and the power OF
free and ~untrammeled speech, for
your A. A. B. is none other than the
Ancient Able-Bodied-in other
words, an antique deep seafaring
man.
l looked upon his old, old oilskins,
the old, old sea-boots, and old, old
patches of black hide that peeped
here and there through whiskers
adrip with rain, and l was almost at
a loss for words. Then l said in the
hailing sign of those who worship
Nicotiana:
"Got a match?"
He eyed me with an old, old eye.
That eye resembled pale-blue oys-
ter.
AYE" quoth he, 81 have"
He did a thumby lingering in many
vast pockets. Wonder grew upon
his face and concern.
split me 6ggerheadP says he.
whats acome of the dang thing!
1 had a one, that's sure" And again
those thumb-hngers explored, like
little bears.
"Ah," says he, 81 got 'er nowP
He pulled a rubber tobacco pouch
from his left hind pocket with his
right front hand. From this pouch
he took: first, channels sack, which
he balanced carefully on his knee;
then, fumbling in the deep, dark re-
cesses of the pouch, he produced an
old, old match. Once it had been a
gay, young, red-headed thing, ready
to brighten and sparkle at friendly
touch; but now it was a melancholy
pink in hue-some of its phosphorus
had melted down its side, the wood
work was gray with weathering.
There ye be, skipper" said he
with a certain blitheness; but hold
your moorin' minyute, will &C. till
/ lay aboard a cargo" !
From another pocket he extracted
an old, old pipe, burned down at the
side. From the pouch came out
some old, old tobacco, which stiff
forehnger rammed like a cannon
charge into the pipe. A bit OF sshes
to make the moist horror OF the
charge combustible followed.
cit to le'ward, and strike 'er up!
saws he. lit my pipe and, being
handy man with a light from old
range-riding days, l saved it, and
stooped to put the FIRE to his bowl.
A vapor arose. cannot call 1t
smoke-it bore greenish-yelloW
tint against the fog. l had to take a
breath about that time-a man does
occasionally-snd l drew a Whit OF
that emanation into my lungs; the
world reeled. Often l have smoked
chewing tobacco mixed with coffee,
tea. roast beans, red-willow bark, and
other things, when need pressed on
the prairie, but never did l imagine
short of Pluto's realm held
, favor like that old, old pipe. /
choked, and the tears trickled
down my face. Hastily climbed to
Meanwhile my old friend
poisoned the air for yards around.
As he was replacing his plumber he
glanced at the channels bag. From
this he took a gold watch and held II
up. =,
"Heyp said l. "Lemme seer he
passed it over. :. 81
"she's solered." he explained;
"solered gor. Worth a pile o
-.
whats the answer" l asked him.
He looked a trife hurt.
81 tell 'ee," says he, and his voice
rose and fell with the moaning ca
dence of the surf on a far-off shore,
's'pose you takes me up to the hotel
and buys me one little drink to
swceten m bilge? Then, mebbe,
,an spin you the yarn about it. Hows
that strike you, skipper"
LET us go at once" l answered,
and with an agility surprising. he put
MS feet beneath him and we went up
hat rickety and old, old pier
We had a table, two drinks, and
al the time there was between US. 1t
was the usual barroom of fishing
-esort, sanded floor, and so on
After the drink disappeared 1
called loudly for cigars; they were
wrapper and sole-leath-