The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1918-04-19

| hAS" OhSic Cdu AS d yOuuSSIeE LIE
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 a 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 a newspaper man since left
college. But 1 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--WE had a 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 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. 1
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. don't
know"
His companion laughed heartily.
I'm afraid not, captain" he said
"few, at any rate. 1 should be salts
fed with considerably less to begin
with. Are you living here in town.
"Well-wen, 1 don't know. 1 amt
exactly livin', and 1 amt exactly board
in. But, say, amt that the doctor
calm you?"
1t was the steward, and there was an
anxious ring in his voice. Pearson ex-
cused himself and hurried out of the
cabin. Captain Elisha fingered for a
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 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 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 we're 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.
whats the matter?" he asked
Pearson answered without turning his
| head.
"DrunkeI: cailors," 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, if
they know when they're well off,"
The three fellows by the ladders foot
were consulting together. On the wharf
were half a dozen loungers, collected by
the prospect of row.
"If I can hold them off for a few
minutes" went on Pearson, well be
all right. The wharf watchman has
gone for the police. Here, drop it!
| What are you up to-"
One af the sailors had drawn a knife
The ether two reached for their belts
behind, evidently intending to follow
suit. From the loafers ON the wharf
came shouts of encoura cement.
DO the dude up, Pedro! Give him
what's comm to him."
The trio formed for q rush. The
steward, with a shrill scream, fed to
the cabin. Pearson did not move. He
even smiled. The next moment he was
pushed to one side, and Captain Elisha
stood at the top Of the steps.
Here" he said sternly. Whats all
this?"
The three sailors, astonished at this
unexpected addition to their enemies
forces, hesitated. Pearson laid his hand
on the captains arm.
BE careful" he said. They're dan
gerous.'
Dangerous? Them? I've seen their
kind afore. Here, you!' turning to the
three below what do you mean by
this? Pu: down that knife, you lub
Der. Do you want to be put in irons?
Over the side with you, you swabs !!
Git!"
He began descending the ladder.
Whether the sailors were merely too
surprised to resist or because they rec
Ognized the authority of the deep sea
in Captain Elisha's voice and face is a
question. At any rate, as he descended
they backed away.