The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1853-09-08
seleft Goles.
Written for Gleason's Pictorial.
TWO KINDS Oh COURAGB.
BY sYLvAMus coBB. JR.

D1 hAuOo CODDt
VWAOT many years since the good shE
~ Ponto sailed from Boston, bound Il
Sumatra. She was commanded by Cap!
Isaac Jacobs, a good seaman, and nat
arally good.hearted man, but in his long
career beneath the trident Of Neptune ht
had imbibed many Of those false ideas
prevalent among seamen, and he haC
come to look upon the sailors life as one
which necessarily did away with those fl
ner and warmer traits of character tha
markthe humane and generous landsman
In this wise Isaac Jacobs sometimes los
sight of true merit where it actually ex
listed.
Among the crew OF the Ponto, on hel
present voyage, was young man namec
Caleb Baker. He had shipped only thret
days before the ship sailed. He was {
slender framed man, with fair. prepos
sessing countenance, light blue eyes, anc
light brown hair, Though light in hi
build, he was yet well stocked with mus
Gle, and his motions were quick and eEer
getic. His appearance was calculated Il
predispose beholders in his favor.
One day, shortly after the ship had lef
port, as Baker was busy about some mat
ters Of his own in one Of the gangways
one Of the men, rough, uncouth fellow
by the name of Bunkton, came along ant
gave the cio,hes.bag Of Baker, kick gu
Of his way, thereby scattering numbe
of things about the deck
Il wish you'd be careful, said Baker a
he moved to gather up his things.
Then keep your things out o my way,
gruffly returned Bunkton.
They were not in your way
DO you mean to tell me lie 2
Il said my things were not in you
way
'And | say they were. Now don't yol
dispute me again.
Very well, have it your own way,
calmly returned Baker, as he drew hi
bag closer in towards the bulwarks.
"A d don't you be impudent, neither,
provokingly added Bunkton.
Look ye, Bunkton, if you've any busi
ness of your own you'd better mind it
'Eh, ,lubber? I'll show We my business
Take thatP
AS Bunkton spoke, he struck the youn
man upon the face. The crew had mos
of them gathered about the place, and al
rangements were quickly made for a fgh
Just come forward,-co forward
and III show ye my business, cried Bunk
ton, bristling about with his fists double
up.
"A fghtl fghtp cried half a doze
of the men. Don't stand that, Baker
TIE young mans eyes had flashedsb
he received the blow, and there was
quick quivering of the muscles in h.
hands, but he made no motion to strik'
'Ain't you goin't to take it upP aske
Bunkton.
No. | want nothing to do with you
returned Caleb.
Then you are eowardF uttere
Bunkton, with conMi iptuous tone an
look.
:, Young Baker calmly replied to Il
taunt, and Bunlton became still more sa'
age. Those who know anything abol
ocean life, will understand the sentimen
of the rough crew upon such matters
the present. They could comprehen
but one kind Of courage, and the momel
that Baker refused to fight they set hi
down as an arrant coward. Al first the
had been prepossessed in his favor, f
Bunkton was a quarresome fellow, an
they hoped Caleb would fog him; b
when they saw him quietly turn away al
resume his work, they began TO taunt hir
too.
Whats all this2' asked Captain ]
cobs, who was attracted to the spot.
The matter was explained to him.
Didn't resent it = uttered the cBptai
looking with mingled surprise and co
tempt upon Caleb. why didn't "
knock him down, Baker =
Because don't want 10 fight with al
man, sir
! 'And will you allow yourselfto be stru
a and not resent il2
Il will defend myself in case Of da
ger. but | will not so abase myself as
engage in brutal fight when il can
, possibly avoided. have as yet do
wrong to no man but were TO fight o
Of my shipmates, should wrong him a
myself both.'
Then you will have yourself look
/, upon as one who my be struckwith imp
nifty a
A quick flash passed over the you
mans face as the captain thus spoke, !
,s he was soon calm.
4 mean, sir he returned, TO give
. one occasion to strike me yet Bunkt
n struck me, but you can see that he alrea
suffers more than do.'
Bunkton gave Caleb the lie, and agt
\ tried to urge him into fight, but the G.
tain interfered, and quiet was restored
D From that time Caleb Baker was lo'
: ed upon by the crew as q coward.
S. first they tainted him, but his ,unifo
kindness soon put stop to these outw'
manifestations, and the feelings OF
K crew were expressed by their looks
he Bunkton took every occasion he co
es 10 6nd 10 annoy the young man. lor ne |
Ms taken his oath that he would have Fl
by out of the coward yet.' The rest Of
I'D crew might have let the matter pass,
70 70 not Bunkton's continued behaviour k
~ alive the idea Of Bakers cowardice.
None save selfknew the great str
xlac fh ai t.,ntal An in fho uauny uaants