The Democratic pioneer. [volume] (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1845-1853, 1845-12-19

bestowed upon her in her hetter days, en-.
abled her in measure to supply the de-
6ciency, but constant intercourse with his
mother encouraged the natural delicacy
Of his character and rendered him shrink,
ing with strangers.
Neither Mrs. Lee Hor her son would
have chosen the sea as the scene of his fu-
lure action, but an unmarried uncle, the
guardian of the boy, selected it for the
purpose of developing more manly char
acter than could possibly be cultivated, he
thought, with the mother by his side and
the eudearments of social life around
him.
Willie Lee had many hardships to con-
tend with in his new mode Of life. The
restrictions of his vessel were frequently
contrasted with the tender indulgences
Of home; and often, after the duties of the
day, would he lie down with a sore heart
and aching head, to dream, perchance, of
the realization of his fond wishes. But
youth is buoyant, and after the refresh
toned duties with a cheerful, willing spir-
it, He soon became a favorite in the Ship
for there is all affinity of the strong for the
weak. There was tender yearning for
affection in the gentle boy which appeals
ed to the sturdy hearts around him, and
the atmosphere of love in which he lived
seemed to them like breathings from their
own homes.
Two years Of absence had expired, and
now the boys heart bounded al the PROS.
pect of returning to the home he loved
How gaily his duties were performed, and
Low gladly he received the commenda-
tions of his superors. Every thing was
bright to heart SO happy. "The kindly
smiling sky" the eloquent stars, beamng
on land as well as sea; the very sea itself
grew clear as the time for leaving it ap.
preached. The collection of shells for
Anne was complete, and curiositics of
other lands were treasured for mamma;
dearer yet, the testimonies of his good
behaviour had been won to rejoice her
heart.
"Will you lazy hulk, come help me coil
this rope," cried one of the older lads TO
our hero.
This rude request, which savored Of a
command; W as good -humoredly acceded TO
by the youth, who, however, remarked
, "No more lazy than yourself, Master Tom.
, You had better take back your ugly
Names"
81 eat my W ords for no one, much less
for star>gazlng baby" was the careless
responce.
"Then do your work YOURSELF" said
: Willie, coolly walking off.
The petty tyrant sprang after him and
endeavored to drag him back, but was
stoutly resisted. After a short struggle
the weaker boy was hurled reeling among
the ropes. Raising himself in moment
he advanced, with flushed face, and aim
: ed blow at the aggressor, who stood pre-
pared to efend himself. At this juncture
the captain appeared. much to the confu-
sion Of the combattants, and ordered a
dozen lashes to be administered to each
on the following morning.
Poor Willie! Although he well might
f shrink from the dreadful infliction, the
thought of the disgrace was uppermost in
his mind. Slowly and heavily the hours
wore away to the DISTRACTED boy. He
felt like one condemned to die--nay to
his sensitive mind the thought was worse
than death-'twas degradation. and hum
BILE though his lot and life had been, he
had proud. high spirit, which would not
suffer him calmly to contemplate his shame.
All night he lay haunted by anticipations
of the dreadful morrow, and when the first
dawn of morning broke upon him, he
shuddered and buried his face in his ham
mock. Just then he heard his name pro-
nounced IN whisper, and raising his poor
aching head, found it to proceed from his
antagonist of the night before.
"Were in a fix" pithily remarked
Tom.
Willie shook his head despondingly.
"lts my fault, too" continued he, "for
had no business to order you about"
"Oh, don't care for that now," sobbed
Willie. "But what will mo ther think
He could not finish the sentence.
"Come, now, Will; you are no COW rd
as found out yesterday: l feel as bad
as you do about it; not that | mind the
hurting, but don't like the notion of be-
ing whipped like dog. I'll die frst.'
"Why, how will you help it!" inquired
Willie.
"Throw myself verboard," said the
young sailor boldly; "and it's the best
thing you can do, too, if you've a mind to
get out of the cats claws"
Willie heard the soft murmur of the W a.