Cappy Ricks Retires: But That Doesn't Keep Him from Coming Back Stronger Than Ever

irst came to the attention of Cappy Ricks at the time he, the said Murphy, was chief kicker of the barkentine Retriever under Captain Matt Peasley. Subsequently, when

se, at a ridiculously low figure, of the Oriental Steamship Company's huge freighter, Narcissus, swept the cunning Matthew into the presidency of the B

ency of his inconsistency. For, having announced his retirement, his very next move was to bewail his inability to retire. He insisted upon clinging to the business like a barnacle to a ship, and was always very much in evidence whenever any deal of the slightest importance was about to be consummated. Indeed, he was never so thoroughly in command as w

itiatory "Ahem! Hum! Harump-h-h-h!" he hitched himself forward

this man Reardon? I do not recall such an engine

n who told me what ailed her. She's a hog on coal, and the Oriental steamship people used to nag him about the fuel bills. Their port engineer didn't agree wi

or telling you something our own port engin

ome very valuable information about the wretched condition of her electric-lig

nowing! Ship a new crank shaft, Matt, and save

g with MacCandless, of the Oriental Steamship Company. Consequently Terence Reardon gets the job. He's only making a hundred and fifty dollars a

You say you looked him up, but I'll bet you a new hat there is one thing abo

say. Keen, observing, not too talkative, a hard worker, t

air and favored his youthful partner

black Irishman, John Rooney, in the Amelia Ricks. Had ambitions just like O'Leary. He went from oiler to first assistant in the Amelia. Fine man-damned fine! So fine, in fact, that when the chief of the Florence died I shifted Rooney to her immediately. And what was the result? Why, riot, of course. Matt, the Irish will fight anybody and anything, but they'll fight quicker, with less excuse and greater delight, among themselves, than any other nationality! The Florence Ricks carried a million feet of lumber, but she wasn't big enough for Rooney and O'Leary, so I fired them both, not being desirous of playin

ow, I tell you.

e ceiling as if praying for

ver his engine-room grating some day, sing The Boyne Wather-and find out! Now, then, do you happen to know

ay. He goes to mass o

did he leave his brogue? He runs

He came to this country when he was six years old and wa

n that drives him into the bandwagon. He's got to be the boss, and if he can't be the boss he'll sit round and criticize. But if I want a man to handle Chinamen, or niggers, or Japs, or Bulgarians I'll advertise for an Irishman and take the first one that shows up. A young man like you, Matt, shouldn't monkey with these people. They're a wonderful race and very much misunderstood, and if you don't start 'e