in Erie Basin , just arrived from California with a cargo of barley, I had crossed over from New York to inspect what was to be my home for many months.  I had been delighted with the ship and the cabin accommodation.  Even the stateroom selected for me was satisfactory and far more spacious than I had expected.  But when I peeped into the captain’s room I was amazed at its comfort.  When I say that it opened directly into a bath-room, and that, among other things, it was furnished with a big brass bed such as one would never suspect to find at sea, I have said enough.

Naturally, I had resolved that the bath-room and the big brass bed should be mine.  When I asked the agents to arrange with the captain they seemed non-committal and uncomfortable.  “I don’t know in the least what it is worth,” I said.  “And I don’t care.  Whether it costs one hundred and fifty dollars or five hundred, I must have those quarters.”

Harrison and Gray, the agents, debated silently with each other and scarcely thought Captain West would see his way to the arrangement.  “Then he is the first sea captain I ever heard of that wouldn’t,” I asserted confidently.  “Why, the captains of all the Atlantic liners regularly sell their quarters.”

“But Captain West is not the captain of an Atlantic liner,” Mr. Harrison observed gently.

“Remember, I am to be on that ship many a month,” I retorted.  “Why, heavens, bid him up to a thousand if necessary.”

“We’ll try,” said Mr. Gray, “but we warn you not to place too much dependence on our efforts.  Captain West is in Searsport at the present time, and we will write him to-day.”

To my astonishment Mr. Gray called me up several days later to inform me that Captain West had declined my offer.  “Did you offer him up to a thousand?” I demanded.  “What did he say?”

“He regretted that he was unable to concede what you asked,” Mr. Gray replied.

A day later I received a letter from Captain West.  The writing and the wording were old-fashioned and formal.  He regretted not having yet met me, and assured me that he would see personally that my quarters were made comfortable.  For that matter he had already dispatched orders to Mr.