New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-08-29
Grew of Deep Sea Hotel
Chants When Removal
Notice Goes.
VERNA'S WEE DOLLIES
REFUGEES IN TRUNK
Mate Mother" Shelley and Her
Husband Fear Boat Will
Close Monday.

\ llIeu-Idceu, unuerSlZed, over
worked girl walked slowly up the
gangplank from East Twenty-third
Street to the Jacob A. Stsmler yester-
day II was noon, and Saturday noon
was commonly a time of rejoicing for
her, because it meant that the work at
the factory, which brought her $3.50
weekly, was over until Monday, and
she was free to have a good time with
the rest of the girls who made the
Arbuckle Deep Sea Hotel their home.
But yesterday tears were in her eyes
as she mounted the gangplank, for
hadn't John Arbuckle's heirs put up
a notice that the boat was to be closed
and that dinner on August IS was the
last meal that would be served?
She looked up at the place where
the notice to leave had stared at the
girls for a fortnight. And then she
jumped with surprise. For the notice
wasn't there.
In the dining-room Captain Frank
D. Shelley, whom Mr.. Arbuckle placed
in charge of the boat when ne launched
it on its present career, was the CEN
tire of a knot of excited girls.
"Are we going to be let 20 stay?"
they chorused. "Oh, Mr.. Shelley, has
the committee changed their minds ?"
ave got a few days Of grace said
Captain Shelley. THAT is all l know,
girls The committee hasn't decided
definitely to close the boat, and you
needn't leave here till Monday, any
how"
Then the twenty-five girls who heard
him Joined hands and danced around
the tables, and improvised chanty
with the motif:
Wen have one more Sunday din
ner on the good-oid-boat."
Every one of the twenty-five girls
who remained on the Stamler had her
belongings packed, and was ready to
leave. Fifty had already gone. Those
whose wages wouldn't admit of room
alone in any decent boarding house
had dubbed together, groups OF four
or five friends renting a room IN com
mon. But some of those who stayed
didn't know where they were going
and yesterdays dinner was eaten IN
trembling hope that perhaps they
wouldn't have to go. No promise was
made by the committee, however, and
Chaplain Shelley was inclined to think
that the delay was just to give the
boarders who had found no abiding
place q little longer chance to look
around.
Mother" Shelley, first mate Of the
boat and the girls best friend, sat
darning stockings in the big cabin.
The corner which was little Verna
Sheeley's own was denuded OF its dolls
and toys, the magazines and cushions
that made the cabin look homelike
were gone, and everything looked
queer and lonely.
Were all in the dark about why
the boat is closed" Mrs. Shelley SAID.
"Mr. Shelley hasn't had word OF ex-
planation from the Arbuckle company.
We've heard it said that the boat was
a fire-trap, but the Fire Department
doesn't think so. We've made most
Of the changes they ordered, and the
rest of the changes required could De
made for $500.
"If the committee doesn't like Mr..
Sheeley's management II wouldn't TAKE
half an hour for US to pack and go.
The girls needn't lose their home. Buf
when Mr.. Arbuckle died Mr.. Shelley
went TO the heirs and asked them
should he leave, and they told him 70
STAY right on. Well, the whole thlng
is a puzzle, and we'd like 10 know the
answer"
Captain Shelley looked from the
place where the notice 20 vacate had
been torn down 10 the girls who sat
in the dining room, planning eele-
bration dance for the evening.
"They got their hopes raised, ne
said "but | reckon the boat !! close.
Three times the heirs have told US
the old boat must go-two years ago
a wear ago. and now. Spose they
think they'd look foolish II they de-
layed any longer" .-..,,o
The representatives OF the ArouehIe
beirs are absolutely non-commlttal'
The two sisters of Mr.. Arbuckle, MIS-
Robert Jameson and Miss Arbuckle' are
STAYING al the Monmouth Hotel IN
Spring Lake, y. J. Efforts to get
them TO say why they abandon the
charity in which their brother was so 50
Interested have failed Martin L.
Goetzinger, of II Water Street. VINO
speaks for them, declines to discuss
this subject Some weeks ago ne saIu
that the moral responsibility OF me
Jacob A. Stamler was too great DuI
den for the heirs. but when the com
mittee formed by Miss Lillian l. pea,
yer told him that New YORK women
stood ready to take over the Iespon-
sibility and the expense he gave me-
no answer, and has had nothing ~
say sinra