The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1853-05-28
9nr tbr Euq9 MN GirI5.
THE CABIN BOY.


could not venture out. The few people who
lived near were on the cliffs, having heard
the cnns that, in any danger, arc fred from
a vessel a. signal for help. This help it
pleased God to deny these poor sailors; the
guns were heard 10 more, and the vessel
went to pieces on the rocks. Those who were
in her were thus called out ofthc world at an
hours warning, whether they were fit to die
or not.
The storm lasted all night: but the next
dav the sun ,honc upon the beautiful blue sea
and it looked almost as calm and smooth a.
the clouds above it. Some fishermen were
leaving the shore i'll their boat, to earn their
daily living. .A> they got near the rocks
where the vessel had gone to pieces the night
before they picked up some parts ofthc wreck
that were hoatin. about
Look :" said one of them; what is that
upon the sha.-rock-it cannot be man =
let US pull nearer
As they got closer to the rock, they found,
to their surprise, that boy was kneclin" on
the highest part Of the rock, but seemed not
able to move. They quickly got to him, tut
feared that he was dead. He was almost stiff
with the cold and wet but when they moved
him he groaned family; and they lifted him
into the boat, and pulled as fast as they could
to the shore. MANY re" ,c ;:c :hcrc .t-
Ing VI pieces of wreck; several bodies of the
poor scamcn had been washed ashore, and
were lying, covered with sail, until they
could be taken to the churchyard, and laid in
the grave so few thought they should lie in
for many long year The people gave eve
ry help to the fishermen, and the boy soon
was placed in warm bed in one of the cot
tages; the doctor was riding aloug the shore
to look at the wreck and thus could soon give
assistance.
After some time, the poor boy could tell
them, that he had been cligiou>Iy brought
up and bound apprentice to the sea, as a cab
in boy-that he had neither father, mother
nor friend in this world But" said he.
God is my friend, and has always been so.
| prayed to Him last nj ght, when the sailors
were drinking and swearing, and the captain
was i'll in his BERTH prayed to Him who
has always been my comfort, to spare my life;
and he did spare my life, for found myself
this morning on the top of that high rock,
where the waves could not then reach me.
though they carried me there and left me.
PRAYED to him again, and he sent these good
men to my help.
The poor boy was so weak that he now fell
back on the pillow and could say no more
Ills words made deep impression upon those
who were standing around the bed, and who
thought little about God or the means of grace
that always had been in their power. From
this time many began to think that thew had
souls to be saved, as well as bodies to be tax
en- care Of
The cabin boy got in few DAYS strong a
gain; and, as the people were too poor to do
anything more for him, he thanked them for
their great kindness. and wished he had it
in his power to repay them The doctor rave
him letter to the the captain of a vessel at
Falmouth, and small sum of money wa.
raised for him at the next village The ccr-
gvman was the means Of getting him lack
ct shoes and trousers; he also cave him Z
dinner, and assured him that if he kept rcli
gious feelings and principles, it had please
God to bless him with, he would not fail t,
he happy in this life and that which is t,
come.
The cabin boy then went his way. and !,
few months was almost forgotten bv III
kind friends, the fishermen. He did not
however, forget them. Many years after
wards. tall, finc-looking seaman came +,
the fi,herman's cottage, and asked leave t,
rest. An old gray headed man was sitting i,
the corner, readin" the Bible; he took of
his SpcctacleS and said:
you are kindly welcome. sir; nv COO,
woman will he home directly. and will civ,
You some cider and bread and cheese" TIL,
sailor looked around the cottage. "You J
not seem to know me, my kind friend. but
well recollect this room, which is not altcrc,
as much as we are. | am the poor cabin bow
whose life, through Coils mercy. YOU were
the means of saving; and am come to tl,anl
you and hope You will let me NON. be lit
tie help to you"
The old mar looked surprised 81 do not
indeed, recollect uou. sir" said he. ..hut
hav" never forgotten the prccious words spo
ken by the poor cabin boy while living on m,
bed. From that moment ! felt that I ha,
been too long in the world to be caring onl,
for the things in it. My good wife was of
the same way of thinking We could, han
PLY. both read and were not without Bill,
we read togcther,and talked Our GOOD cler
gvman helped to make Us feel that God wouI,
he on" friend as well as the poor cabin
boys. If We would try to make him so; an,
from that time we have lived in peace an,
content that we never knew before. IF vo,
are sir, that poor cabin boy. You can nevc
be any better help to Us than YOU alrcad,
have been
"Mv kind old friend. said the sailor ..von
words g We me great pleasure, but Won mus
BET me beg that YOU will accept this tribe
and he put a small canvas bag before the Of,
man. with five pounds in it-''kccp it for