The Raymer enterprise., 1918-11-07

sailed under a Cap'n Pearson from
there 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.
l want to tell you that your Uncle
Jim was q seaman Of the kind you
dream about, but seldom meet. l was
his second mate three wages. Ny
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-"
Il bet you! He'd seen things wuth
yarnin about. So you amt a sailor,
heyf uyin' In New York;
The young man nodded. "Yes," he
said. Then. with dry smile: IF you
call occupying ball 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 ! threw up my job six
months ago. Since then I've been free
lancing."
Have, heyT 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.
I've had feeling" be said, that l
might write magazine articles and sto-
ries-yes, possibly a 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 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 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. l should be salts
fled with considerably less to begin
with. Are you living here In townr
"Well-well, l don't know. | amt
exactly liyin'. and | amt exactly board.
In. But, say, amt that the doctor
CALM your"
Ii was the steward, and there was an
anxious ring In bis voice. Pearson ex.
cused himself and hurried out Of the
cabin. Captain Elisha fingered for
nnal look about. Then he followed
leisurely, becoming aware as he
reached the open air Of loud voices Ia
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 binnacle 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.
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 foreign lingo. As the captain
emerged from the passage to the open
deck he heard Pearson reply in the
same language.
whats 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 and 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. II
they know when they're well off.".
The three fellows by the ladders foot
were consulting together. On the wharf
were half dozen loungers, collected by
the prospect Of row.
IF can hold them of for a few
minutes went on Pearson. "we'll be
all right. The wharf watchman has
gone for the police. Here, drop It!
What are you up tor
One Of the sailors had drawn knife.
! The other two reached for their belts