Imperial Valley press., 1937-01-10

We sack, ra,zsaek 10 The utmost sands
OF nafipe Kingdoms, and Of foreign lands;
We frapei sea and soil; We bry, and broW,
We progress, and prog from pole TO pole.
-Quares-Dvine Embems
Chapter
GAN PEDRO DOCKS 1890: Somewhere the
y Gay Nineties" were gay but not the
waterfront of that seaport I free, or
phan, ten years old and tender speaking few
words of English, and that not the Kings. Liv
ing and eating were precarious, and it's to the
credit mainly of bartenders and sailors that
food found its way into my stomach. But at
intervals food did find its way.
There I'd landed from a convent, and my
salvation bartender's foot which bounced
me literally into the open arms of an amiable
crimp by the name of Samples. The same feet
had almost landed me on previous occasions
in the hands of the town marshal, "Old Duffy
may God rest his soul!
Mr.. Samples bought me hat and a good
meal at the old Compass Restaurant beside the
Admiral Saloon He was hook-nosed, with mar
row-set little eyes and rail-like pate where
half dozen crosswise hairs survived. His
chubby third finger was encircled by fat
diamond ring of pure California gold, and he
made gestures to display the stone.
want a job?" he inquired softly.
nodded violently, being hungry.
How old are you, SOM" His voice was gruf,
but kindly.
In my jargon of twenty or so English words,
the rest in Spanish said 1 was ten.
you'll pass for sixteen. You're big awk-
ward kid Work amt hard; but tell the boss
you're sixteen, see ?"
began to like San Pedro; I'd landed job.
The harbor was suddenly all right beautiful,
backed by dusky blue hills, against which rose
gray spars of whaling craft it was struggling
settlement of oil cargo odors, inhabited by
crimps and "blood sharks" who preyed upon
such as me- Who cared? One of these was feed
ing me.
A CRIMP of San Pedro recruited sailors and
~ landsmen impartially. His job was TO lure
or force men into shipping as sailors HIS
methods were no less crude than the brutality
of "impressing," where the recruit was uncon-
scious of what happened. Crimps of the 9Os
used delicacy. They gently overcame the moral
if any-and physical objections OF tneir VIC
Tins A drop or more of chloral hydrate IN
glass of whiskey or beer gave the prospect
nroper attitude toward sea service If that failed,
a "sap stick" was tried-an instrument MADE
by a bar of soap inserted into thlck "ooieh
sock or by sewing piece of lead pipe IN
pie skin Both worked wonderfully weii' the
prospect slept Soundly uhlh the Neooei was o
ward bound.
Even crimps occasionally had good points
Often down-and-out seamen wanted 10 sign
on" and looked up one of them; then Mr. Crimp
furnished dungarees or "souWester, ana sea
bag. for approximately 1000 times their value,
collecting the mans total debt for board, room
and outfit rom..the ships captain, Z. u u
of the sailor Many a lad collected no sea wages
for eight months more; if he did, there were
fines logging" for fancied infractlons ana the
seaman landed back in port dead broke Wnere-
upon Mr. Crimp showed up once more ana
staked his pal to a few shots of whskey, loog-
ing and meas--until history repeated itself.
Something like this was offered by Mr. Sam
pies I'd been run out of numberless saloons
for raiding free-lunch counters; Ia watcheo
sailing vessels slip in and out of harpor-ano
to my fancy their beying sails were peacons
of adventure l dreamed of a snug bunk aooaro
ship imagined vast quantities of hot food
Mr. Samples was looking at me. he grlnneo
and l grinned back at hin-a man-slzed menu
under my belt. sack of Bull Durham IN my
pocket book of wheat-straw cigarette papers,
and job promised.
| went down to the docks with the praWny
man. just north of Joe Fellows ship-puiding
plant--hopng that the calker boss, who'd once
refused me job. would spot me with towering
Mr.. Samples.
We crossed the ways climbed to the outnt-
ting dock and reached the side of battered
black four-master-shrouds and spars smelling
of whale oil. It was good smell to me. The