Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1918-06-07

sailed under a Cap'n Pearson from
there once. James Pearson his name
was"
He was my great-uncle. l was
named for him. My name Is James
Pearson also"
What" 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. I was
his second mate three wages. My
names Elisha Warren"
Mr.. Pearson shook hands and laugh.
ed good humoredly.
"Glad to meet you, Captain War
ren," 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-"
II bet you! He'd seen things wuth
yarnin' about. So you amt sailor,
hey? Livin' in New York;"
The young man nodded. "Yes," he
said. Then, with dry smile: IF you
call occupying hall bedroom and eat
ing at third rate boarding house ia.
Bile living. However, it's my own fault.
I've been 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.
"1've had feeling" he said, that
might write magazine articles and sto-
ries-yes, possibly novel or two. It's
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 a sea story. So l 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. l
don't knows you'll believe it, but I've
just found out for a fact that some
painters get $4,000 for one picture
for one, mind you! And little mite
of 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.
fed with considerably less to begin
with. Are you living here in town.
"Wel!-well, I don't know. l amt
exactly Twin, and amt exactly board
in. But, say, amt that the doctor
calm your"
1t was the steward, and there was ar
anxious ring in his voice. Pearson ex
cused himself and hurried out of the
cabin. Captain Elisha fingered for 9
final look about. Then he followed
leisurely, becoming aware as he
angry dialogue.
Entrances to the Empress Of the
Oceans cabins were 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 IL
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
ed 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 oper
deck he heard Pearson reply In tn,
same language.
i whats the matterT he asked.
Pearson answered without turning hi
head.
Drunken Sailors" he explained
Part of the crew here. They've beef
uptown, got full and come back t,
square a grudge they seem to hav
: against the steward. I'm telling then
! they'd better give up and go ashore, i
they know when they're well Off"
The three fellows by the ladders foo
were consulting together. On the whar
: were half dozen loungers, collected b,
= the prospect of row.
j 'If l can hold them off for a few
l minutes" went on Pearson, "we'n b.
!. all right. The wharf Waterman ha
i gone for the police. Here, drop it
What are you up TOT"
/ One of the sailors had drawn a knife