Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1918-02-05
CHAPTER v.
The Captain Makes a Friend.

CHAPTER ".
The Captain Makes a Friend.
TIVE minutes later he was at the
street corner inquiring Of q po.
liccman "the handiest way to get
to Pine street" Following the direc.
tions given, he boarded train at the
nearest subway station, emerged at
Wall street, inquired once more, 10
Gated the street he was looking for
and, consulting card which he took
from big stained leather pocketbook,
walked on, peering at the numbers of
the buildings he passed.
The Offices Of Sylvester, Kuhn &
Graves were Oh the sixteenth floor Of
a new and gorgeously appointed sky
scraper. When Captain Elisha entered
the firms reception room he was ac-
costed by wide awake and extremely
self possessed Office boy.
Informed by the none too courteous
lad that none Of the firm was In, he
left his card, saying he'd return later.
Captain Elisha strolled down Pine
street, looking about him with interest.
1t had been years since he visited this
locality, and the changes were many.
Soon, however, he began to recognize
familiar landmarks. He was approach
ing the water front, and there were
fewer new buildings. When he reached
South street he was thoroughly at
home.
The docks were crowded. The river
was alive with small craft Of all kinds.
Steamers and schooners were plenty,
but the captain missed the old square
riggers, the clipper ships and barks,
such as he had sailed in as cabin boy,
as foremast hand and later command
ed on many seas.
At length, however, he saw four masts
towering above the roof Of freight
house. They were not schooner rigged,
those masts. The yards were set square
across, and along with them were furl-
ed royals and upper topsails. Here at
last was craft worth looking at. Cap
tain Elisha crossed the street, hurried
past the covered freight house and saw
a magnificent great ship lying beside a
broad, open wharf. Down the wharf
he walked, joyfully, as one who greets
an old friend.
The wharf was practically deserted.
An ancient watchman was doing in a
sort Of sentry box, but he did not wake.
There was a pile Of foreign looking
crates and boxes at the farther end Of
the pier, evidently the last bit Of cargo
waiting to be carted away. The cap
tain inspected the pfc, recognized the
goods as 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 seagoing 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
yitation, when two men emerged from
the cabin.
One of the pair was evidently the
japanese steward Of the ship. The 9TH
err was n 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 a friend Of one Of the
consignees 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
strolled through the officers quarters
together.
"Jerushy!" exclaimed the former as
he viewed the main cabin. "Say, you
could pretty nigh have dance here,
couldn't you? A small one. This re-
minds me of the cabin aboard the Sea-
gull, first vessel I went mate of-it's
so diff'rent. Aboard her we had to
walk sittin' down. There WANT room
in the cabin for more'n one to stand
up at a time. But she could sail, just
the same, and carry it too. I've seen
her off the Horn with studdin'. sails
set when craft twice her length and
tonnage had everything furled above
the tops'l yard. Hi huml You mustn't
mind an old salt runnin' on this way.
I've been out Of the pickle tub good
while, but I cal'late the brine amt all
out of my system"
His guides eyes snapped.
II understand" he said, laughing.
"Tve never been at sea on long vOy-
ace in my life, but can understand
Just how you feel. It's in my blood, I
guess. I come of salt water line.
My people were from Belfast, Me-, and
every man Of them went to sea-"
Belfast, hey? They turned out
some A No. sailors In Belfast. I
sailed under a Cap'n Pearson from
there once. James Pearson bis name
was"
HE was my great-uncle. I was
named for him. My name Is James
Pearson ALSO"
"What2" Captain Elisha was hugely
delighted. "Mr. Pearson, shake hands.
I 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. My
names Elisha Warren"
Mr.. Pearson jhook hands and laugh
ed good humoredly.
"Glad to meet you, Captain War
ren," he said. "And I'm glad you
knew Uncle Sam. AS 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 q sailor,
hey? Livin' In New York;"
The young man nodded "Yes," he
said. Then, with dry smile: If you
call c occupying hall bedroom and eat
ing at q third rate boarding house ia
BILE living. However, it's my own fault.
I've been newspaper man since I left
college. But I threw up my job six
months ago. Since then I've been free
lancing."
"Have, heyr The captain was too
polite to ask further questions, but he
had not the slightest idea what "free
lnncing'' might be. Pearson OWNED