The Ohio Democrat. [volume] (Canal Dover, Ohio) 1840-1900, 1842-06-23
THE SAILORS SECRET. :

Iy relative, an uncle by my fathers side. His
name was Box, as my name is Box. J was
baby IN long clothes at The time, moi even SO
much as christened; 80 uncle taking the hint,
suppose from the lid Of his sea chest, cal
led me Bellophron Box -Bellophron heing the
name Of the ship Of which he was sailing mas.
ter.
| shan't say any thing about my education;
though was brought up in first rate board
ing school, il's not much 10 boast of but as
soon as could bear the weight of cockade
and dirk, uncle got me a birth as mldship
man aboard his Ownlshlp. So there WIS,
Mr.. Bellophron Box. ldldn't like the sea or
the service, being continually dsgus,ed a, the
parliality shown towards me, for 10 less than
month was put over he heads Of all my
superior officers You may stare, but it's
true, for was mast headed for week at
stretch. When we put into port, Capt. -,
called me into his cabin and politely informed
me thatlfI chose TO go on shore, and should
nod 1t incOnVenient TO return, no impairment
enquiries should be made after me. aVail-
ed myself of the hint, aud exactly one year
and Two months after seting foot on board
the Bellophron, wac Master Bsllophron BOX
again.
Well, now for my story. There waa one
Tom johnson on board,a fok'sell man as they
called him. who was very kind TO me, he tried
TO teach me to turn quld, and generally he'll
ped me 10 drink my grog. As | was unmer-
Gully quzzed in the cockpit, grew more par
iaI TO the society Of Tom than 10 that Of my
brother midd es. Tom always addressed me
"SIr." and they named me Puddinghead, ill
at last we might be called friends. During ma
ny night watch, when have sneaked away
from snooZe among The hen ooops, has Tom
saved me from detection, and the consequent
pleasant occupation Of carrying about buck.
ct OF water on the end Of capstan bar. '
had been on board about month, per-
haPs two, when the order came down from the
Admiralty for the men 10 cut off their tails.
Lord what scene was there! | wonder Il
didn't cause muiiny! think It would have
done so but half The crew were laid up with
colds in their heads, from the suddenness of
the change, though an extra allowance Of rum
was served out to rub them with 10 prevent
such consequences; but the puTser not giving
any definite directions, whether the appica-
ton was to be external or internal, the liquor
regret TO say for the honor Of the British ma
Wy. was applied much lower down. For some
weeks the men seemed half crszed, and were
almost as unmanageable dc ships that had lost
their rudders. Well, 90 they he'd. 1t was
melancholy sightAtO seeIples Of beautiful tails
with little labels tied 10 them, like the lnsiruc.
lions on physic hotle;each directed to some
favored relative or sweetheart, Of the curtal-
ed seamen, What q strange appearance must
Portsmouth, and Falmouth and Plymouth, &
all other mouths that are filled with eeastores
have presented, when the precious re-
membranes were distributed. | wish some
arlis! would consider t,for think i's a shame
that there should be no record Of such an in
teresting circumstance.
One night, shortly after this visitation, il
blew great guns. Large black clouds, like
chimney sweepers' feather beds, scudded O.
YER our heads, and the rain came pouring
down lIke-lke winking. Tom had been pr Z
mo.ed,and was sent up aof to reef sail. wber
one the horsss gave ~ay - down came Ton
johnson, and snap went q log and an arm.
was ordered TO see him carried below, an Of,
fee which readily performed, for liked ths
man-and they don't allow umbrellas in tht
Davy.
"What's the matterW said the surgeon.
"NoIhing particular, cir, only Toms br ok,
his legs and arms by fall from The yard, re-
Piled a seaman. H."s.
Tom groaned as though he did consider
something very particular. ti
He was soon stripped and the shauere
bones set, which was no easy matter, the chi
pitching and tossing about as she did. | ca
down beside kis berth, holding on as we'll a
| could. The wind howleG through The rig
ging. making the vessel seem like an inferna
EolIan harp; the thunder rumbled like m in
disposed giant, and, 10 make lhings more a
greeable, a gun broke from its lashings an
had it all its own way for about quarter @
an hour, Tom groaned most ptably, | look
ed al him, and if were to live for a thousan
years, ] shall never forget the expression O
his face. HE lips were bluo, and-no matter
Pm not clever at portrait painting; but imag
inc an old fashioned Saracen's hsad--not th
fine, handsome fellow they have stuck Of
Snow Hill but oneofthe grffins Of l609-an
you have TOMS Phiz, only il wants touchin
with all the coOrs Of a painters palette. wa
quite frightened and could only stammer ou
why, T-o,o-mP
It's oil up sir" said be, j must go, ! fet
it, -
Don't be foolish, replied, 'doni die ill
call the surgeon Il was stupid speech
acknowledge, bu. could not help il at lh
time. q