Richmond Palladium (Daily), Volume 31, Number 358, 3 February 1907 — Page 6

The Richmond Palladium Sunday, February 3, 1907.

Page Six.

By JOSEPH C. LINCOLN, Author of "Cp'n Eri"

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Copyright. 1903. ?. (Continued From Last Sunday.) "Vh. you'll f,-et it. l a De willing to bet that you'd get up the everlasting foundations if you made up your mind to. Say. Nkkerson" Mr. Cook put his hands in his pockets and looked quizEkaily at Bradley "if you get sick of anchor dragging any time, come and see me. Have a cigar to smoke as you go along. Good day." Bradley was happy. He felt that when Cook & Son eliould have future wrecking contracts to give out Titcomb & Xickerson might be considered as bidders to be reckoned with. CHAPTER XIII. nEREr exclaimed Captain Titcomb ten days later, when the last section of the Liberty's chain had been IT laid on Orham wharf. "There, that child's born, and his name's Adonjram! Now, then. Brad, what next more anchor draggin'? Getting up that chain with a hand windless was a tough proposition, but they had done it finally. The calm weather helped them here, for, though the heavy links had sanded somewhat, they managed to work the last one loose after a struggle. Again the partners had longed for the much talked of fcehooner with an engine, but this time It was Bradley who did most of the complaining. The captain merely looked wise and winked knowingly. "Keep your head to wind'ard, son," he remarked. "May be I'll have a s'prise party for you some of these days." Bradley didn't know what he meant, and the captain wouldn't explain. In reply to the question concerning what was to be done next the Junior partner, who was sitting on an overturned salt mackerel tub aboard the Lizzie, asked a question In his turn. "Cap'n Ez." he said, "do you remember that schooner loaded with tar that foundered on the flats off Caleb's point last March? The one we located when we were dragging for Anderson's anchor that time?" Captain Titcomb nodded. "Yup,". he said. "She b'longed to a Boston firm, deems to me. Let's see what was their names?" "Colton, Lee & Co. They are on Commercial street. Well, I went In to see cm when I was up to Boston." "You did?" "Yes. That tar has stuck In my mind ever since you told me about it. It was In barrels, you see, and it's harder than Pharaoh's heart naturally, so the salt water hasn't had time to hurt It any to speak of- Obed told , me that the schooner was Insured and the cargo wasn't. So I thought I'd go In and see the owners. Well, they'd pretty nearly forgotten about the tar. I suppose It had been charged to profit and loss long ago. We talked, and I told 'em that I might perhaps be able to save a few barrels only a few. of course. The upshot of It all was that I bought the whole cargo, 840 barrels, jnst as It lies on the bottom, for $25 cash." "You didn't?" I did. It was $25 more than they ever expected to get at that. Now, cap'n, our agreement was that no new move should be entered into wlthoHt the consent of both partners. This deal was so 'all in the air as you might say, that I didn't say anything about It until I'd seen the owners. Now. If you feel that we can't raise enough of the stuff to pay for the trouble I'll let the twenty-five come out of my pocket and call it a fine for being too smart." "You shan't do no such thing. We can git out enough of that tar to make that up twice over, even with the back number rig we've got. But if we had a divin kit and a diver I'd be willin' to bet we could save two or three hunflrod barrels, maybe more." "That's what I thought. So I spent nearly three hours cruising up and down Atlantic avenue and rummaging in ship stores and such places. And, Cap'n Ezra. I know where we can buy a complete fit out second hand pumps, pipes, diver wilt and the whole business, in Al sLape, so far as I can see for $350. Just for a flier I paid $10 and got an option on it for a week." "No? You didn't? Brad Nlckerson, here's where the old man takes his hat aS. You've got me beat, hull down. I'll be askln' you for a mate's job yit. Three hundred and fifty! Dirt, dog cheap!" "I'm glad you feel that way, cap'u. Of course a diver '11 be expensive. Th salvage company will charge us anywhere from $15 to $20 a day for a good one. And there's where I'm if raid the 'whole speculation falls down. We don't know how that tar lies, whether the Lull's broken up, whether the barrels are sanded over or not. It might take so long to get It out that we'd lose money." The captain, with bath bands Jammed Into hi pockets his beckets, he railed them was pacing up and down. "I've got your diver, boy!" he cried. "That is, I've got him if you say the word. Five dolla.-s a day, too intead of fifteen." "Where in the world" "Right here in Orham. And he's had plenty of experience. What's the matter with Sam Hammond?" "Sam Hammond! Sam why. Cap'n Ez, what are you talking about? Sam told me himself that he'd come home to rest. He's going back to New York tn a little while. He wouldn't work for us!" "Wouldn't, hey? Brad, 'twas the feller with one leg that was too religious to dauce. Sam's out of a Job. Maybe he fired the boss; maybe the boss fired him. All I know is that he told me last night he'd dive for us at $3 per. Course he'd only do It to help us out, but that's all right. I don't care If there's a hole In the bag bo long's the rookies are inside." And so that is how Samuel Hamxtond. late of the Metropolitan Wreckdsc comuauy of New York, came to en

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0 Tid by A. 5. Barnes Is Co. ter tne employ or Titcomb & Nlckerson, to whom he had contemptuously referred as "anchor draggers." But If Bradley supposed for a moment that Sam would change his patronizing attitude because of the move he was much mistaken. Mr. Hammond laughed when he boarded the Lizzie, asked facetiously if "this was the vessel or only the long boat?" and poked fun at the whole outfit generally. He gave each member of the crew to understand that he was only doing this for awhile to help out Brad. He said that puttering around this way was such a change for him that it was the best fun of his vacation. He took pains to make his position plain in the minds of the townspeople. Captain Jabez Bailey told Bradley in a confidential whisper: "It's mighty good of Sam to turn to and help you and Ez out of a hole. I hope you appreciate it." Bradley said he appreciated it fully. Even Gus was Inclined to view the matter in that light. Sam saw to It that she did. He called at the Baker homestead pretty often, and when Bradley was there treated the latter in a jolly, good fellow sort of way that couldn't well be resented, but which had always In it that aggravating flavor of pitying patronage. Bradley felt that he was placed in an awkward and humiliating position. He told Gus so plainly. , "Gus," he asked, "do you think It's fair to allow Sam to call here as he does r A more experienced ladies' manCaptain Titcomb, for instance would not have selected this particulflr evening to bring up this particular subject. Gus was in one of her uncertain moods. She had refused to be serious before, and she was not serious now. "Why. Bradley Xickerson!" she exclaimed, with a laugh. "I do believe you're jealous!" "No, I'm not jealous exactly. But why do you let him come here?' "Brad, don't you trust me?" "Of course I trust you." "Then why are you suspicions or what are you afraid of?" This very direct question was embarrassing. Bradley felt certain that he had good reason to be suspicious of Hammond's intentions, but he knew he had no actual proof that would warrant his saying so. He stammered and could reply only that he didn't like the fellow's calling so often. Bradley went home Injured and resentful. He made up his mind that Gus shouldn't have another chance to all him "jealous." He could show her that there were others who didn't care. ' He plunged Into business deeper than ever. The diving outfit came from Boston and worked well. They visited the sunken tar schooner, and Sam made his first dive. Captain Titcomb. who understood the apparatus, worked the pump. Sam reported that the tar seemed to be in 'good condition, and that, for the present, they could get up a number ot the barrels through the hatchway. Later they might have to blow away a part of the hull. So every fair day they worked over the wreck. Sam, in the diver's suit, clambered down Into the submerged vessel's hold and attached the barrels to the tackle. Then, by the aid of the windlass, they were hauled up and swung aboard the Lizzie. By the first of October they bad already got out over 200 barrels, and Sam said that he saw no reason why all of the 800 might not be secured in the course of time. The tar speculation was already a very profitable one, and the credit belonged to Bradley. There was to be what the posters called "a grand select subscription ball" at the Orham town hall on the evening of Oct. 10. Gus had expressed a. desire to go to the ball, and Bradley had subscribed that is to say. he had paid $2 for a ticket admitting "gent and two ladies." He dressed for the affair when the evening' came with " no very pleasant anticipations. The relations between Gus and himself had not Improved since the disagreement over Sam's visits. The partners were expecting a check from New Bedford in payment of the first shipment of tar, and, as it was early when Bradley finished dressing, he determined to go down to the postoffice before calling for Gus. Captain Titcomb was out of town. He had not told where he was going, merely observing that he wanted a couple of days off for private business. What the private business was he did not state. The expected check did not arrive on that mail, and as Bradley came down the postofhee steps some one laid a heavy hand on his shoulder. lie turned with a start. "Why, hello. Cap'n Ez!" he exclaimed. "You back again?" The captain hooked his arm Into that of his companion and led the way through the crowd of loungers on the sidewalk. Bradley protested. "Cap'n Ez, wait till some other time. I must"" "Shut up! I'm so full of steam I'll bile over in a minute. This ain't foolin; It's bus'ness." He dragged his puzzled partner along the sidewalk and across the road to the Traveler's Rest. Then he led the way upstairs and into his own room. "Now, Brad," he said, "you know mighty well I've got somethin important to say or I wouldn't have snaked you up by the coat collar this way. But never mind that. If you ain't interested enough to" "You know I'm Interested, Cap'n Ez. Only do hurry T The captain locked the door again. 1Tien he took a bundle of papers from his overcoat pocket and. selectins a

cam rrom ancs "- sively, "Brad, what have you and me been prnyin' for for the last three mouths or more?" "I don't know," he replied. "Do you mean a big job?" "I mean somethin that'll give us the tools to do a good many big jobs with, I mean a new, up to date wreckin vessel." He leaned across the table. "Brad, my son," he said slowly, "I've got that very craft." "You've got her?"

He tossed the card on the table, and Bradley picked it up. It was the photograph of a good sized, two masted schooner a wrecking schooner, and of modern build; so much was plain. "Look at her!" cried the captain. "Ain't she a dream? And that tintype don't begin to do her justice. Now, Brad, that schooner's the Diving Belle, built in New Bedford two years ago and cost eight thousand to build. No sham about her; built for wreckin'; good seasoned timber, tackles, patent windlass, nice, light, roomy cabin, anchors, sails, all complete and a first class sixteen horsepower gasoline engine. And, son," Captain Titcomb raised his fist, "you and me can buy the whole blessed outfit for $5,000 cash!" The fist fell on the table with a bang. Bradley gasped in delighted wonder. When Captain Titcomb really enthused over a subject he was a wonderful talker. Now, shaking a forefinger in his companion's face, he talked so fast that Bradley forgot everything except to listen. The schooner had been built for one Abijah Foster of Vineyard Haven. She had been engaged in the wrecking business for two seasons along the south Jersey coast, and then her owner died. His widow was the ouly heir, and she needed money. The vessel had been bought by a Nantucket man, but when it came to paying the price there had been a hitch that resulted In the collapse of the deal. Bradley was now as wildly jubilant as his partner, ne asked innumerable "Ain't she a dream f" questions, but the captain had an answer ready for each one. He had with him a rough plan of the schooner's rig, a photograph of her cabin, a drawing of her engine. These were laid on the table, and they moved from one to the other, the captain explaining, pointing and arguing. The passing of time was forgotten entirely. The junior partner awoke from his trance with a start. And just then, In the sitting room below, the cuckoo clock struck 9. Bradley turned white and then red. Nine o'clock! And the grand march at the subscription ball was to start "promptly at 8!" And Gus had looked forward to this evening for over a month! It is doubtful If, even now, he could tell much about his trip from the captain's room to the Baker cottage. He j raa mhst of the way. Over and over i ag6sn he reproached himself for his j tmrzv fulness. Gus had called him I neglectful and selfish once before, t What would she say now? He scarce ly dared knock on the dining room door. But whatever he may have expected to hear when that door opened, what he did hear was certainly a distinct surprise. Grandmother Baker, her head enveloped tn a shawl, peeped out and said: "Gus said if you called to say that she didn't wish to interfere with anything so important as your business matters. You see, Sam Hammond stopped here about ha'f past eight and said he'd seen you and Cap'n Ezry go Into the Traveler's Rest together. So Gus went to the ball with him." The subscription ball was nearly half over when Bradley came up the stairs of the town hall. He tossed his ticket In at the window and absentmindedly checked his overcoat and hat. Then he stood in the doorway looking at the dancers. For almost an hour he had been walking up and down the sidewalk opposite the hall, remorsefully hating himself one minute and fiercely nursing his injured pride the next. Twice he turned to go home, and each time he turned back again. The waltz quadrille was the particular dance then going on. Bradley glanced over the crowded floor. He caught sight of Sam Hammond dancing with one of the Rogers girls. Opposite them In the set, he noted vaguely, were Captain Titcomb and Clara Hopkins. He spoke with Captain Titcomb but once. That was during an interval between dances, when the captain, redhof but smiling, came strolling toward him. "Hello, Brad!" he exclaimed. "Got here, didn't you?" Then, glancing at the young man's face, he added: "Havin a good time? Hope our stoppin to talk didn't make any difference?" The answer was noncommittal. The subscription ball, extras and all, came to an end at 3 o'clock. By this time Bradley was once moie repentant and humble. When Gus came out of the cloakroom he went to meet her, resolved to abase himself and plead for forgiveness. "Gus," he stammered. "Gus I I mayn't I walk home with you? You know I" Sut as Bradley's anger had cooled, his fiancee's had arisen. "Thank you," she answered, and every word was crusted with Ice. "Mr. Hammond was gentleman enough to escort me here, and I presume he will see me home." .Bradier aecoinianied Miss Rogers to

tee parental gute. it wasn't a nilartous walk. The young lady said to her older sister later on: "Julia. I honestly believe he didn't speak one word from the time he left the hall till he said good night. I had to talk for two, or I should have gone to sleep on the way. He may be good looking enough, but Gcs Baker can have him for all me. I'd as soon come home with a wooden Indian." And Bradley, In his own chamber, Ftnred out of the window ct the light in Gu' rooni and vowed that he would not get down on his knees to that young lady again: let her have her New York gentleman if she wanted Lino. Then he thought of that other dance and how hnppy he had been because she had given him the waltz that Sam asked for. And he went to bed utterly miserable.

C HATTER XTV. HE next morning he'was more miserable still, having had time to think it over. But Le resolved that no one should T guess nnr-e his feelincs from hi3 appearTherefore he was, at the breakfast table, outwardly calm, although a little more quiet than usual. Bradley had little appetite. ne drank his coffee, and then, with, an excuse that he was in a hurry, left the table and. putting on his cap, went out He was, to all appearances. In high spirits when he reached the wharf. He dreaded meeting Captain Titcomb and Hammond, but be made up his mind they shouldn't know it. So he chatted with Barney and Peleg. laughed loudly at the flimsiest jokes and whistled as he stood at the Lizzie's wheel and steered her out of the harbor. They worked at getting out the tar until 3 o'clock, when, at Captain Titcomb's suggestion, they quit for the day, and the Lizzie came back to her moorings. Then the crew went ashore, and the partners shut themselves In the cabin to once more discuss the project of buying the Diving Belle. The photographs and sketches were exhibited, the captain argued and enthused, and Bradley did his best to forget Gus and to be interested. He succeeded partially. The Junior partner agreed that the Vineyard Haven schooner was a wonderful bargain, but he disliked the idea of going In debt for a part of her, as it seemed that they must do. "You see, Cap'n Ez," he said, "we've got altogether less than $4,000 between us if we put up every cent we've made. We shall have to borrow at least another thousand, and I hate to. In a year, If things go as well as they have, we ought to be able to build a new vessel and pay for every stick of her. And yet," he added, "it seems a shame to let this chance go by." The captain glanced at his companion and drummed with his fingers on the table. When he spoke there was a hesitancy in his manner. "We can't let it go by," he said. "We'd never git another like it. Now, Brad now. Brad" He stopped and drummed again. Then he went on without looking up. "I don't know's I mentioned this afore, but all my money ain't been put Into this wrecKin' deal yit. You see, I own some shares in that big cranb'ry bog of the Ostable folks. Must bo about $1,500 wuth al together. I cal'late maybe I ain't spoke of this to you afore, have I?" "Tvo.T, na, you haven't,"" answered the astonished Bradley dryly. "No. I presume likely it er mus have slipped my mind. Well, I'll sel'. the bog shares and put up what's need ed to finish buy in the Divin' Belle. You can pay off your part as we earn it Is it a go?" "All right," Bradley said finally; "I'll agree, of course. If you're willing tc risk it. -T !'

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"Good! We'll take a day off tomorrer and go up to the Haven and look her over." The partners starte for Vineyard Haven in the early morning. The cap tain talked most of the way, for whici. Bradley was thankful. He didn't fe. like talking. They found tha Divin. Belle lying at tlie wharf, and Captai: Titcomb watched his companion's fao as lh?y stood ou the stringpiece look ing down at her. They bought the schooi-er. It remained only to bring over the check and take away the schooner, and this they did a week later. Meanwhile Captain Titcomb had performed another miracle. He had hunted up a man who had expressed a desire to purchase the Lizzie and after two days of bargaining, during which time the captain bad twice pretended to give it up and return to Orham. had sold him the old schooner for $7Z0; also he sold his slwr-s in the cranlerry bog. There vrs a good sized crowd of townspeople ou the Orham wharf when the Diviug Belle slid smoothly past the harbor mouth and up to her moorings. There was a splendid breeze, but they wouldn't have used the sails for any consideration. The sight of the moving pistons in that wonderful sixteen horsepower engine, the enchanting smell of the gasoline, the mullled drumming of the propeller under the stern these were brand new, unadulterated joys of proprietorship that no mere item like the saving of unnecessary expense could induce thein to forfeit Contain Ezra put in the most of his

spare time "improving" the new purchase. Bradley told him it seemed like the Thomas Doane days to smell paint and trip over a bucket of water and a swab every little while. Orham was just then in the throes of a burglar scare. Two houses In the village had been broken into, and the natives were talking of calling an indignation meeting for the purpose of expressing their opinion of the selectmen. Then a steam yacht belonging to a summer resident, which lay housed over for winter in the harbor, was boarded and ransacked. It was on the day following this rob bery that Captain Titcomb began tinkering with the cabin door. This door and the sliding hatch above It had been fastened with a padlock. The captain's first move was to block the hatch so that it would slide back but a little way. Then he sawed and hammered away at the door. "There!" he cried in triumph after two hours of hard work. ''Brad, come here! S'pose one of them mean sneak thieves tries to bust into that cabin. He can pry the staple off that padlock easy, can't he? Yes, but the way that hatch is now twon't open fur enough for him to climb down; he's got to open that door. And that door's got on it a three dollar patent lock that can't be opened without the key, and no ten cent whistle down the barrel key either. The key that'll open that has lace edgin on it. You hear me! And I've took off the knob on the inside of the lock so it can't be worked that way. Now, when we want to go home we haul to the hatch and lock, it with the padlock. Then we jest slam the door. Click! There you are! A spring lock. How's that for high? Thunderation! I've left the key inside!" Luckily the key was lying on the top step of the cabin stairs, and they were able to reach It with a fishhook, on the end of a stick. Getting up the tar with the aid of the patent windlass and the engine was simply fun. They took out all they could bring up through the hatchway and then began blowing out the side of the hull with dynamite. The explosive was stored In the Diving Belle's hold forward beh'nd a bulkhead with

Three Irons, Waxer and Stand.

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ono - i..- t uU wa. carefully boxed in to prevent accident. Bradley's whole Interest In life now centered in h'.s work. Gus he had not spoken with s'.uee the night of the dance; had. In fact, only seen her at a distance. Sam. while on board the schooner, was pleasant and. to all ap pearances, as friendly as Bradley would let him be. but from Captain Jabez and from other considerate anO gossip lot tag sou!s the Junior partner learned that llau.mond was now a regular caller at the Raker cottage.

CIIA1TER XV. CTORER bad been a month of exceptionally pleasant weath cr. but in the night of Nov 1 EraJley woke to feel the old house trembling and to hear the rain thundering on the roof overhead and rattlisg against the windows. While he was dressing he heard voices in the road below and. oncning the window, saw Jim Rogers, the fish peddler, sitting In his wcgon with the rain sluicing from the peak of his sou'wester and carrying on a shouted conversation with Mrs. Baker. "What did you say 'twas. Mr. Pog ers?" screamed the old lady, speaking through the closed blinds of her cham ber window. "The Freedom big six masted coal barge. She's high and dry on the Razorback. Hawser parted. The tug's trvin to git her off now, but Cap'n Knowles telephoned Sam Hardy that 'twan't no use." Bradley didn't near the last part of the conversation. He struggled into his clothes, and then, putting on his oilskins, ran out of the house and down the rond. ' Dudley's ' objective point was the postoffice. He wanted to see Hardy and learn the particulars, but Captain Titcomb was there before him. They met at the door. The captain's eyes were shining. "Come on. Brad!" he said. "I was Jest goln to send for you. I know all about It." He told the story as they walked to the wharf In the pouring rain. It was as Rogers had said. The great barge, twin sister of the Liberty, was on her way from Boston to New York under tow. The storm had come up unexpectedly, and the hawser had parted. Now she was fast on the Razoroack shoal. "Crimustee!" exclaimed the captain. "Won't she be a job! Brad, Brad, if you and me could only have the chance!" Alvin Bearse, who boarded nowadays at the house of a relative In Orham. was already on board the Diving Belle when the partners reached her. "She's hard and fast for sure," muttered Captain Titcomb when they reached the bulk. "Five thousand tons of coal Inside of her and this no'theaster drivin her farther on every minute. I swan to man. Brad, she's there for awhile! No tug nor three tugs, fur's that goes can haul her off. 'Member what I said when the Liberty come so near landin where she is? It's an anchor and cable Job, and we can do that as well as anybody and cheaper than the big fellers.' If they'll only let us try! By crimustee, they've got to!" That evening the train brought representatives of three large wrecking companies to Orham. The younger Mr. Cook came also. The partners saw him, but he would give them no satisfaction. "You must come to Boston tomorrow If you want to bid," he said. "But I tell you frankly, price Isn't the only thing we must be satisfied that the job can be carried through." It was evident that he didn't believe they could handle It. (To be Continued Next Sunday.)

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