Hopkinsville Kentuckian., 1918-02-14
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THE PEAcEMAKERs :
\ y..n...n.s.n.w
sy r. A. mitchell

relic Of former days. He died az the
age OF ninety-three. His son Elihu n
seventy. and his grandson. born m his
fathers ripe manhood has had thirty II
birthdays.
The first Glrard was a china mer-
chant sailing his own ships early
In the nineteenth century. He turned
over the business to his son thirty
years ago. Elihu the second discard
ed sails and used steam as n motive
power. When his son became n man
his father took him on his ship and |
later made him master. Finally Ellhu |
the second retired and his son sailed |
sheir ship. the Peacemaker, without |
having the father on board TO give him |
orders.
When the worlds war broke out.
Girard second, had not been on a voy.
age for several years. He was devot.
ed TO peace. as were his ancestors.
Hearing that German cruisers had es-
capped TO prny on the commerce OF their
enemies. and fearing that his son might
become involved when out on the
ocean. he resolved to go with him on
his next trip.
Young Captain Girnrd was somewhat
discounted when his father Informed
him OF the fact. but said nothing. A
month elapsed before the Pescemaksr
was ready for her voyage. during which
time her captain was making prepara.
tions for defense.
MY son. presume thee knows am
opposed to any kind OF warfare. II q
German cruiser mistakes the Peace
maker for ship belonging TO one Of
Its enemies. I desire to make no re-
isistance. but lower the flag at once"
"Just so. father" was the fiiai re-
ply.
'I see no preparations for defense"
added the father. looking over the YES
sci for guns. Preparations for de-
fense only excite irritation" replied
the captain evaslvely.
The old man went aboard. the cap
tain followed and the Peacemaksr
started out into the Atlantic.
One day Glrard the second was ST.
ting on deck In a peaceful revery. Hls
eyeslght was falling and he did not no
tlce n cruiser flying the German dag
nbout three miles distant and heading
for the Peacemaker.
Father" said the captain who wai
near the old man. "I have something
to show you In my cabin. Please
come below with me-"
The father arose from his chair ana
followed his son below. The former
entered the captains cabin aud the
latter locked the door.
"Father." he said from without,
"lOok through the povthole and you
will see German cruiser coming"
The old man looked In time to se<
a shot skipping over the water passing
"A cables length from the bow.
"Bring her to a stop" he shouted.
'Not a bit OF IT," replied the SON
Tive got as much right to sail this
pond without interruption as She"
"But we are not at war: she wishes
only to search us"
Very well. lot lsr send an officer
aboard 20 Search u.s."
There was no reply to this. The
captain had gore on deck and was Civ.
ing orders. The crulser-she turned
out To be u gunbOat-was bearing down
on the Peacemakcr, thinking that she
was Britlsher sliling under the Amer.
lean ilag. When she got within range, |
n side Of the Peacemaker opened up
and displayed a line Of guns
Captain Girard had got whnt he was
Itching FOR fight. The GlrurdS were
rich and he had been enabled To put |
aboard an efficient armament. His
shots sought the gunhoat and the gun
boats shots sought him. Between the
noise OF the explosions, the words Let
me Quit" were heard accompanied by
yigorus Kicking on wood. Presently
a crash was heard and up came the
captains father. his eyes afiamc.
He saw several things almost sim
ultaneously. The first was dead
sailor who had been killed by shot
from the German; the second was the |
wreck OF one Of the deck houses; the
third was men standing beside their !
guns waiting for something.
"What are they waiting forl" asked !
the old man OF his son.
Ammunition, father; Ms coming
right along"
At that moment shot from the Ger |
man whlzzed by Mr.. Glrard and knock.
ed funnel into smlthereens.
"Elihu, are thee going 10 stand here
idle while they sink the shlpY" asked |
the captains father
There was no reply, for men came !
with the ammunition IL was put In the |
guns, They were manned by sailors |
who knew nothing about their use. one |
of the squads failed to load in time to |
satisfy the old Quaker lie gave the |
man who was putting IN the shot a |
shove that sent him spinning; put the |
shot In the gun himself. and removing |
In a similar way the man whose part II !