SOME RECOLLECTIONS: ON AND OFF TIIL STAGE. 
397 
board — in 
fact, anybody 
that was con- 
nected with 
the sea was 
in my eyes a 
hero/ If 1 
could sit next to a sailor on the top of 
a ’bus or near a Worcester cadet, 1 was 
thrilled with a sort of ecstatic joy. 
J remember once following a gentleman 
in elaborate dark-blue uniform with bright 
metal buttons, and carrying what I 
thought was a harpoon. I was sure he 
must be off some whaler, and I followed 
him on through endless streets, feasting 
upon the magnificence of his naval equip- 
ment. I could see him in my mind thrust- 
ing his harpoon into some enormous 
G. P. HUNTLEY. 
I. IN “MISS IIOOK OF HOLLAND.” 
2 AND 3 . IN “THE MARRIAGE MARKET.” 
4 . IN “CURIOS.” 
5 . I N “ KITTY GREY.” 
whale. But when I saw him pull a straw plug 
out of the road and take a couple of turns with 
the “ harpoon/’ and I afterwards discovered 
that he was connected with the waterworks, 
1 suffered the most crushing blow to my 
childish illusions that 1 ever remember ! 
This, my first visit to America, was at my 
own expense, when I was about fifteen years 
of age. 
There was one passenger in particular who 
interested me. He was a good-looking, sad- 
faced sort of chap, who was invariably alone, 
and for some reason he singled me out and 
seemed to take a personal interest in me. 
One morning we were walking on deck. He 
had found that 1, too, was a fairly reserved 
and undemonstrative sort of 
chap, and one that he could 
confide in. 
44 I dare say you think I 
am a very funny sort of chap/’ 
he began, 44 and wonder what 
my business is. To tell you 
the truth, 1 am what they call 
an ‘Atlantic crook’ 
— a card-sharper, if 
you like. I’ve done 
every boat on every 
line except this one. 
They all know me, 
and so far 1 have 
come off fairly well, 
but I reckon this 
will be my last trip. 
1 know they have 
got someone wait- 
ing to meet, me when 
1 get to New Vork. 
I am an expert at 
cards,” he went on, 
4 4 pickpocketing, 
watch-pinch i ng , and 
thieving in ail its 
branches. Why, I 
could have your pin 
or watch now and 
you wouldn’t know, 
although I have 
warned you. Mind 
you, I haven’t 
always got off easily 
with my swag. For 
instance, look at my 
hand. You see that 
mark? Well, that’s 
where a chap stuck 
a knife through it. 
because I had more 
aces than i was 
