The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1916-10-03
Aboard The Chiffon Grange
Grew of Water-Loesed Ship Mutinies in Mid Ocean
BY RALPH ID. PAINE


full experience. l don't mind rough
ing it,"
Captain Sackett's voice was un-
steady as he asked:
How did the notion happen to
seize you, Mr.. Norcross?"
Il have been globe-trotting (went
out by way of Suez), having a look at
the silly old world before putting my
nose to the grindstone. Like a
cheerful ass l neglected to reserve
room in liner, and when /
reached New York few days ago
every boat was jammed full-the
summer rush of Americans. l was
tired of lofing about, and by chance
1 spied shipping item about the
Chiffon Grange-one of the Norcross
freighters, by Jove!-bound to
Liverpool in ballast. Here goes!
said land here l am"
Hayden Narcross gazed about him
as though we'll pleased with his
choice of transportation. The decks
were scrubbed white, the brasswork
cleaned like gold, and the houses
had been freshly painted. Her mas
ter did his best by the steamer, al
though Sir James Babb Norcross
grumbled at the cost and pared the
bills to the bone.
Il call this ripping!" declared the
young man. quite as if l were in
my own yacht-no beastly crowd
and leisurely voyage. You mustn't
look so put out about it, Captain
Sackett. 1 promise not to make a
nuisance of myself
Very well, sir. You have the
right to do as ou like You are in
viting yourself, please remember
that. l shall try my best to give
you comfortable passage"
1T is my own surprise party" was
the cheerful rejoinder. How long
before we head for the open sea?"
1.-TWO or three hours. What about
sending word to your father that
you are in the Chiffon Grange, Mr..
Norcross?"
Il shall write at once" was the
easy reply. The letter will reach
Liverpool ahead OF us. What's the
use of cabling?"
Il am afraid today's mail has
closed. but there will be another sail
ing this week. Aye, the letter will be
in England before we are. And you
will be sure to mention that YOU
asked yourself aboard and I OBJ
jected?"
still harping on the same string! >
exclaimed Hayden Norcross. Il
solemnly swear to absolve you from
from all part and share in my vow
age"
The captain showed an odd un-
Willingness, but this was doubtless :,
natural feeling of responsibility in
the case of so important a person
age as the son of Sir James BabH
Norcross. No rudeness was intend
ed
In lovely June weather the Chiffon
Grange left port. Captain Nelson
Sackett had handled men for MANY
years, and he appraised them
shrewdly. This youngster was gen
erous. clean. unspoiled by golden for
tune. 1t was impossible to dislike
him
AT table in the cabin. Rhoades and
the chief engineer, quiet, shy men
were not at their ease in the com
pany of the owners son. but he
could not be held blameworthy. His
was an effulgent name. and the bar
rler or caste oppressed their honest
British souls. 1t was singular that
his presence should not have aroused
their resentment, for they dumbly
felt that the Norcross millions had
been sweated out of the ocean-carrv-
ing trade and that the titled owner i'm
Liverpool could afford to deal more
justly with his men and ships.
The passengers appetite was
good, his digestion perfect. but the
duce of it was that he could not seem
TO get enough to eat. chap felt
awkward about mentioning the fact
but If he expected to control a few
dozen steamers himself some day he
really ought to find out few
things. In such a well-kept ship as
this short rations. and rotten bad at