Speculation was rife as to the amount of prize money each would secure, and some even went so far as to plan the spending of it.
Every one felt very gay, and as if something should be done to celebrate our good fortune.

We would have liked to spend some money for an entertainment, but that was impossible.
"Dick," however, was impressed into service to furnish some amusement.
"Dick," a forecastle man, is a born story-teller, and we knew if we could get him started, some fun would be assured.
After some pressure he acquiesced, and began the following yarn: "One day a certain Irishman, Mike Dooley by name, departed this life.

He was much respected, and his death caused no little sorrow to his friends and neighbors.

His wife and children were simply inconsolable.

The widow wished to have a handsome funeral in his honor and spent her savings in furtherance of that plan.