Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1918-03-15

tHeTe once. james Pearson his name
was"
He was my great-uncle. | was
named for him. My name is James
Pearson also"
"WhatT Captain Elisha was hugely
delighted. "Mr. Pearson, shake hands
want to tell you that your Uncle
Jim was a seaman Of the kind you
dream about, but seldom meet. | was
his second mate three wages. NV
names Elisha Warren"
Mr.. Pearson shook hands and laugh.
ed good humoredly.
Glad to meet you, Captain War.
rem he said. And I'm glad you
knew Uncle Sam. AS a youngster he
was my idol. He could spin yarns that
were worth listening to-"
Il bet you! He'd seen things with
yarnln' about. SO you amt Il sailor.
hey? Livin' in New York;"
The young mar nodded. Eyes" he
said. Then, with n dry smile: IF you
call occupying a hail bedroom and eat
ing at n third rate boarding house tn
BILE living. However, it's my own fault.
I've been n newspaper man since | left
college. But l threw up my Job six
months ago. Since then I've been free
lancing."
Have, hey" The captain was too
polite to ask further questions, but he
had not the slightest idea what free
lancing' might be. Pearson OWNED
his perplexity and explained.
"Tvc had Il feeling" he said, that |
might write magazine articles and sto.
ries-yes, possibly a novel or two. It's
n serious disease, but the only way to
find out whether it's chronic or not Is
to experiment. That's what I'm doing
now. The thing I'm at work on may
turn out to be n sea story. SO | spend
some time around the wharves and
aboard the few sailing ships In port
picking up material"
Captain Elisha patted him on the
back.
Now, don't you get discouraged" he
said. II used to have an idea that
novel writin' and picture paintin' was
poverty jobs for men with healthy ap-
petites, but I've changed my mind. |
don't knows you'll believe 1t. but I've
just found out for a fact that some
painters get $4,000 for one picture
for one, mind you! And a little mite
Of n thing, too, that couldn't have cost
scarcely anything to paint. Maybe
novels sell for just as much. l don't
know"
His companion laughed heartily.
I'm afraid not, captain he said
few, at any rate. | should be salts.
fled with considerably less to begin
with. Are you living here in town."
"Well-well, l don't know. | amt
exactly Twin, and | amt exactly board.
in. But, say, amt that the doctor
calm y0uy'
1t was the steward, and there was an
anxious ring In his voice. Pearson @
cuscd himself and hurried out Of the
cabin. Captain Elisha fingered for n
final look about, Then he followed
leiSurely, becoming aware as he
reached the open air Of loud voices In
angry dialogue.
Entrances to the Empress of the
Oceans cabins We're ON the main deck.
and also on the raised half deck at the
stern, near the wheel, the pinnacle and
officers corned beef tubs swinging In
their frames. From this upper deck
two flights OF steps led down to the
main deck below. At the top Of one
OF these flights stood young Pearson.
cool and alert. Behind him half crouch.
ell the Japanese steward. evidently very
much frightened. AT the foot Of the
steps were grouped three rough looking
men, foreigners and sailors without
doubt, and partially intoxicated. The
three men were an ugly lot, and they
were all yelling and jabbering together
in a foreign lingo. AS the captain
emerged from the passage to the open
deck he heard Pearson reply In the
same language.
What's the matter" he asked.
Pearson answered without turning his
head.
Drunken Sailors" he explained.
Part of the crew here. They've been
uptown, got full aud come back to
square a grudge they seem to have
against the steward. I'm telling them
they'd better give up and go ashore. IL
they know when they're well of"
The three fellows by the ladders foot
were consulting together. On the wharf
were half n dozen ~loungers, collected by
the prospect Of a row.
IF | can hold them of for a few
minutes went on Pearson. well be
all right. The wharf Waterman has
gone for the police. Here, drop II,
What are you up to?'
One Of the sailors had drawn a knife.
The other two reached for their belts