Carteret Academy - Carteret Yearbook (Orange, NJ)

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26 THE CARTERET Robert was now in a desperate situation, for, if he did not get a steady job pretty soon, he would starve. An idea suddenly came to him, as he was sitting in a small public park of Rio, which was his only refuge. He had experienced just what he needed. He had undergone so great priva- tion that his self-respect rose in rebellion, and he determined to find a way out. Suiting the action to the will, he made straight for the business center and instinctively entered a counting house which bore the name of his father's firm. He had at last overcome his scruples and decided to apply for a position in his father's house, under an assumed name. Here, Robert started work with enthusiasm that he had never before displayed. He began at the bottom of the ladder and, in a short time, was head of the department in which he had started, for he showed a natural ability in business. He was known as Bill Alban. His good work was recognized and duly rewarded. When he earned his own money, Robert was not so free to spend it. At the end of three years he had acquired a thorough understanding of the banana business, and had been gradually promoted, until he was now assistant manager, and had made a host of friends, for he had become very popular. Robert's chance to make a name for himself had come. He had con- tracted for 'a large shipment of commodities that the firm had not hereto- fore handled, and the resident member of the house had his misgivings as to the wisdom of Robert's undertaking. But, as everything in Roberts early life had seemed to go wrong, conversely all his endeavors seemed to turn out right after he had come to himself. These shipments proved very profitable, and Robert got into considerable correspondence with his father regarding them. When the last vessel had discharged its cargo in New York, Mr. Tilford, Sr., concluded that Mr. Alban was needed in the firm, believing what he had done to rejuvenate the South American house, he could do with the New York end, if he were transferred and given the management of the business. What was Robert's surprise, therefore, to receive a cable to report to the New York house at once, as he had been made a member of the firm and would be given charge of the entire management. Robert could hardly hold himself in bounds, so de- lighted was he to contemplate meeting his father under these conditions. One morning, therefore, about two weeks later, a handsome well- dressed young man appeared at the office of Tilford 85 Co., and presented his card bearing the name William Alban. This gentleman was immedi- ately shown marked deference while he waited for Mr. Tilford to dispose of a caller. He wa-s finally ushered into the presence of his father, who. at first, failed to recognize him, for he was now some four years older, had gained weight, and looked older than he was. It was not until Robert

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THE CARTERET 25 Although Robert escaped punishment at the hands of the law, his father, now fully aware of Robert's Waywardness, lost no time in consulting with the Captain of a sailing vessel about signing up Robert as ordinary seaman for his return voyage. This sailing vessel was bound for several ports in South America. Robert's father expected his son to go to Buenos Aires and return, for he thought that the hardships of such a trip would knock the nonsense out of his perverse son. The day of Robert's departure came, and the poor boy left home, friends and all. He now felt sorry for all his misbehavior, but it was too late. , For many days, the vessel experienced fine weather on the long voyage to Rio de Janeiro, but the favorable weather did not last. lt was during one of the most severe storms that Robert had his first taste of hardship. Now, for the first time, he realized what a soft life he had had at home. After this experience, Robert decided to disembark at Rio de Janeiro. At last, the small vessel reached Rio de Janeiro, after a very hard and perilous voyage. Robert was glad to get off that craft, but he was never more homesick in his life. He missed his father and the others at home. There he was, down in South America, with very little money, for his father had given him only a small amount, as he thought he would remain on the schooner for the entire voyage. Robert's grief was much added to when the schooner that he had made the voyage in set sail again, leaving his friendless. Robert was now left entirely on his own resources. As he had very little money, there was but one thing for him to do, a.nd that was to work. Robert had never before had to earn a cent. Every- thing had been given to himg and, as a consequence, he did not know how hard it was to make a living. Robert's first job was in a general store on the outskirts of Rio. This work he found drudgery, and soon gave it up. After this, he drifted from one job to another, for he could not adjust him- self to the hardships every job seemed to hold. Robert came of a fine family and inherited many of their good quali- ties, but he certainly had been ruined by his lax bringing up. In spite of all this, however, Robert had inherent ability which only adversity could bring out. One day, while he was strolling aimlessly about, his eyes rested on a discarded newspaper printed in English. As he glanced over it, he saw, to his horror and amazement, that the schooner which had brought him from America had been wrecked in a bad storm, with the loss of its entire crew. This sorrow added to his homesickness and loneliness, for he pictured his father's feelings on learning of the disaster, since he might believe Robert to have been on board the vessel.

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THE CARTERET 27 spoke that his father recognized him. The reunion cannot be described, for the joy of the older man was unspeakableg so much so, in fact, that tears came to his eyes. Robert's pride in having made good overwhelmed him as he stood before his father. Robert's genius for business soon made itself felt in the New York house 3 and, under the guidance of his father, the firm of Robert Tilford 85 Co., thrived as never before. Not many years after Robert's return, his father retired, giving Robert the sole management of the business. SPANISH GOLD It was a warm summer evening of the year 1797, when Capt. John Rubois stood surrounded by a group of pirates who were preparing him to walk the plank. He was returning from burying his treasure, when he was captured by a band of notorious pirates. He refused to reveal the whereabouts of his treasure, and was going to be made to walk the plank. Before they could secure his arms, he drew a small bottle from his pocket and threw it overboard. There was the report of a gun and he fell Writh- ing to the deck. As it was dark, it was impossible to recover the bottle, so its contents were never discovered by those who sought it. are 4 in in is is Charley Bryant, a young chemist of about twenty-two, came out of the clear Bermuda water and threw himself upon the warm sand. He lay there chatting with some friends of his and running his hands through the sand. He struck something hard and pulled out a small bottle. It was tightly sealed and contained some white paper. Upon seeing this, he went to his bathhouse in search of something to open it with. After work- ing with it, he dislodged the cork and produced a piece of dirty paper. As it was very old it had to be handled very carefully. There was a dim writing on it, but all he Was able to make out was the Word treasure. He dressed quickly and jumping in his car, soon reached home. He used chemical after chemical until finally the message same out. But the rest was very indistinct and all he could get out of it was about a-n island, a pit and a fire. He had tried every chemical but one, and this had to be used by dip- ping the paper into the liquid and then holding it over a flame. As he held it over the flame the following message came out: Lat. 24 16 4, Long. 122 18 24. One mile inland to edge of pit, two miles west and down twenty-five feet. The rest was torn off. Charley hgured that it must be an island about five hundred miles north of the Philippines, and although he had a very good position, he did not feel that he could afford to finance such an expedition. That evening