Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-07-20

CHAPTER v.
The Captain Makes q Friend.

CHAPTER v.
The Captain Makes q Friend.
HIvN minutes later he was at the
street corner inqutring Of q po-
liceman 1.-THE handiest way to get
to Pine street." Following the direc-
lions given, he boarded train at the
nearest subway station, emerged at
Wall street, inquired once moro, To-
Gated the street he was looking for
and, consulting card which he took
from big stained leather pockethook,
walked on, peering at the numbers Of
the buildings he passed.
The Offices Of Sylvester, Kuhn &
Graves were on the sixteenth floor of
a new and gorgeously appointed sky
scraper. When Captain Elisha entered
the firms reception room he was &C.
costed by wide awake and extremely
self possessed ONCE boy.
Informed by the none too courteous
lad that none Of the arm was in, he
left his card, saying he'd return later.
Captain Elisha strolled down Pine
street. looking about him with interest.
Il had been years since he visited this
locality, and the changes were many.
Soon. however, he began to recognize
familiar landmarks. He was approach
ina the water front, and there were
fewer new buildings. When he reached
South street he was thoroughly at
home.
The docks were crowded. Tho river
was alive with small craft Of al kinds.
Steamers and schoooers were plenty,
but the captain missed the old square
riggers, the clipper ships and barks,
such 40 he had sailed In as cabin boy,
as foremost hand and later command
ed on many seas.
At length, however. he saw four masts
towering above tho roof Of freight
house. They were not schooner rugged,
those masts The yards were set square
across, and along with them were furl-
ed royals and upper topsailA Here at
last was q craft worth looking at Cap
tain Elisha crossed the street, hurried
past the covered freight house and saw
4 magnificent great ship lying beside
broad, open wharf. Down the wharf
he walked, joyfully, As one who greets
an old friend.
The wharf was practically deserted.
An ancient Waterman was doing In 4
sort Of sentry boz, but he did not wake
There was pile of foreign looking
crates and boxes at tho farther end Of
the pier, evidently the last bit Of cargo
waiting to be earted away. The cap
tain inspected the pile. recognized the
goods - Chinese and Japanese. then
read The name ON the big ships stern.
She WAS the Empress of the Ocean, and
her home port was Liverpool.
The captain strolled about, looking
her over. The number Of Improvements
since his seagodng days was astonish-
ing. He was standing by the wheel,
near the companionway. wishing that
he might inspect the officers quarters,
but not liking to do so without an In
vitation, when two men emerged from
the cabin.
One Of the pair was evidently the
japanese steward Of tho ship. Tho 9TH
or was tall, clean cut young fellow,
Whose general appearance and lack Of
sunburn showed quite plainly that he
was not a seafaring man BY profession.
he said he was friend Of one Of the
eonsignees and would be pleased to
show the captain over the ship.
Captain Elisha, delighted with the
opportunity, expressed his thanks, and
the tour Of inspection began. The
steward remained on deck, but the
captain and his new acquaintance
strollsd through the onicers' quarters
together.
aJerushyr' exclaimed the former %
he viewed the main cabin. "say, you
could pretty nigh have a dance here,
couldn't you1 A small one. This re-
minds me Of the cabin aboard the Sea-
gun. first vessel I went mate Gifts
50 dint'rent. Aboard her we had to
walk gittin' down. There want room
In the cabin for more'n ono to stand
~ at q time. But she could san, Just
the same, and carry It too Two seen
her OF the Horn with studdin' sails
set when craft twice her length and
tonnage had everything furled above
the tops1 yard. HI hum! You mustn't
mind an old salt runnin' on this way.
rye been out Of the pickle tub q good
while, but I callate the brine amt oil
out Of my system"
His guides eyes snapped.
II understand" he said, laughing.
ave never been ut sea on long voy-
age in my life, but I can understand
Just how you feel It's in my blood,
guess. come Of q salt water line.
nv people were from Belfast, Me-, and
every man Of them went to sea-"
aBalfsst, hey? They turned out
some A No. I sailors IN Belfast I
sailed under q Cap'n Pearson from
there once. James Pearson his name
was
HE was my great-mcie. was
named for him. My name is James
Pearson also"
aWhatY' Captain Elisha was hugely
delighted. "Mr. Pearson, shake hands.
I want to tell you that your Uncle
Jim was q seaman Of the kind you
siresn. : s;S5e.,t ut, h.,t se!acce :::eeee: -:s
his second mate three wages. My
names Elisha Warren"
Mr.. Pearson shook hands and laugh
Cd good humovedly.
"Glad to meet you, Captain War
rem" he said. And I'm glad you
knew Uncle Sam. Asa youngster he
was my idol He could spin yarns that
were worth listening to"
.-ss5ss.s.sI bet you! He'd seen things wuth