Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-01-05

= had been trying to wear out
the Newfoundland fog in q cor
|" ner Of the smoking saloon, the
Doctor, the Tinsmith, the YAM
kee Consul and I; and the talk
had got to grips somehow with the old argu-
ment Of heredity versus environment in the
shaping Of human career. The Doctor Ito
my surprise) held for environment: the Tin
smith Gas unexpectedly for the blood. Before
I had had chance to air my convictions the
Yankee Consul knocked out his pipe and told
this tale:
WHEN first went out in the service (and
that was good many years ago) it
was to take the broom d-waste- basket job in
our consulate at Tunis on the Barbary Coast.
At Liverpool, where I'd expected to catch a
steamer for Marseille I was offered quicker
and cheaper chance on a cargo boat.
1t was my first trip on a British merchant
man, but it wasn't my last; I'll take the oppor-
tunity today when it's offered me. The table
talk Il messed with the ships five oficers) was
as fun of meat as I've ever found it at the
captains table in Cunarder-and good sight
fuller, let me say.
It's the captain, though, that I'm going to
talk about He is the hero" of the tale
He was young; I'd hate to say how young,
for they're deceiving. Young enough anyhow:
even though it was his first voyage with mas
any capacity In any ship.
His name was Abel Diplo. He didn't con-
form to the type; he was it. I'll ask you to
mark that well. CharacterI there you had him.
Rock-ribbed, cold-blooded, Anglo-Saxon do-it-
or-die!
You must have come down pretty straight
from the Ironsides" took him UP one night.
It was moonlight night of the coast Of
Spain.
ZIP" said he. He gave me a queer look.
well, was just thinking-you don't seem
to have any Of the vices. Now this very BUSH
ness Of turning down your glass at table"
do you know why do that Mr. Gore? Will
you have look down there on the forecastle
ahead That's whyl"
looked and saw what he was pointing at
the ships two characters" Old Perez and
Happy Days, both of them deep in the bottle
again. knew them well by this time
They were as alike as they were inseparable
equally dirty, equally insolent, equally drunk
The only way you could tell them apart was
that Happy Days had rings In his ears-funny
old copper rings with Jade beads. Happy DAYS
was what hard life had left of an old black
bobtailed monkey. Old Perez was what the
same had left Of q sailorman
THAT sort Of thingl" repeated Diplo. He
sounded angry. II am young sir; have only
myself to depend upon; can see the work Of
drink. That man down there sir, once COM
manded brig. Not much of O craft perhaps
matter OF q hundred tons or So In the Medi-
terranean Tade-but his own. And now look
at him! Old Perce imagined He has a son,
friend Of mine back there In Liverpool (else
he wouldn't be In this vessel, make sure of
that. That son, by his own will and work.
is beginning to do well. Now, sir, can YOU
fancy man being jealous of the success of his
own son? Meanly Jealous drunkenly cursingly
jealous? No, Mr.. Gore, If you talk to me
OF table beer, all I can say to you is-'Old
Perce'L"
suppose I should have gone on to this day
remembering Diplo III at alb as q kind of un-
budgable, undintable, all-self- sufficient brand
OF Cromwell in q suit of armor If I hadn't
happened by the sheerest accident one night
to discover that the armor wasn't Diplo at ALL
1t was the evening of the night when we
were looking to make our landfaN on the Tlnis
Gulf, just turning. dark, remember, and was
taking prowl around the deck for my diges-
ton, when happened to come on Diplo tucked
out OF the way behind q lheboat amidships
and being actively and violently sick as a dog
over the side. Seasick, give you my oathI
And the water as smooth as a pond Of oil.
And the captain of the ship!
Well, stopped; who wouldn't? He saw me.
He got himself up and out from behind the
boat. and shook. ShookI
Good land Of liberty" said T. whats up?"
NEVER a word. In another wink he was
taut as wire, his hands grs bbed behind
him, his eyes on the horizon beyond the bows.
Scared! Scared thought to myself, to his
shame, Of making his first port in command.
But still had to give him a chance.
What was wrong?" I finished it out
I'D forgot" heard him saying to himself.
I'D quite forgot until the other day at the