Daily Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1854-1855, 1855-06-27
Extract from the "Watchman. ~
DEATH SCENE OF AN OLD TAR.

was no longer able to perform his duties on
the yacht with his former activity; by and
by, by slow degrees, these pains aud the
concomtunt iniirmties of age increased up.
on him, and the yacht had to be given up
altogether. Then in the ample chimney
corner OF the servants Hall, in his lordship's
mansion, in winter and on seat covered
with an arbor, overlooking the fish pond
which Lord Mordant had constructed for
his especial benefit in summer, the old man
passed his waking hours-telling his. ad-
! ventures by land and flood over and over
again for ycars-until at last he was con-
fined to his room--then to his bed.
lie fingered, however, long while, and
Lord Mordant who had become greatly at
tached to him, frequently spent an hour by
his bedside.-He sSpresent when the old
man died. No one supposed the last event
was so near at hand.
His lordship upon entering the room, ask
| ed Jack, as usual, how he felt.
''I'm drifting ashore fast, yorr honor"
was the reply. sod Jack Jenkins II soon
be stranded in eternity"
keep your courage, Jack" said his
lordshp. i hope you'll be with us for many
day yet
! "No your honor. The orders been pas
sed to slip old Jacks cable, and the CHAINS
already unbitted."
"Can do anything for you Have you
everything you Wish p
II should like pipe Of bacca, yer honor.
These varmin,s Of sarvints won't give it
me, tho I've axed it twenty times-coz
why-the doctor says how it's bad for my
cough. The cough was plaguey bad last
night, your honor"
"Then Jack, think they did right, You
know they must follow the directions ofthe
physician 7
"AlI right SIR | don't blame 'em.
never axed for a pipe these three weeks till
yesterday II know il is seamen's duty to
obey orders: but when a mans on his beam
ends, and all the doctors in the service
can't SIT up his rigging again- then,
think il hard to thwart his hun)r.-l
-han't see daylight tomorrow, Sir, and
should like n pipe afore drops OFT the
hook May be bacca amt sarred out in the
other world"
Jack said this so earnestly, yet 80 limo.
Gently, that his lordshp, notwithstanding
that he saw the old man was rapidly sink
ing, ,nld scarcely forbear smile, and he
ordered servan, TO bring the much coveted
pipe, which Jack smoked with much APP
parent pleasure. Then, laying it aside, he
said:
Bacea and mes cut acquaintance. your
honor: that's the last pipe old J1ck Jenkins
II never smoke. Now. Sir, please and send
for the parson for the old sailor u take his
departure for the unseen world
'Do you feel so very bad Jick !" asked
his lordship, with great feeling expressed
in the tone OF his voice.
II feels no pain, Sir; but knows as my
cables almost run out the last bg'''s
close to the hswse- hole. and there aint no
tine to spare should like to make my
accounts all square before sheer off"
Lord Mordii.t sent Immediately for the
rector Of the parish, who soon arrived at the
sbbey, aud was shown into the old mans
bedroom
I,1td Mnrdant would have retired, but
Jack begged him 10 stay.
How do you find yourself now, Jaek!"
.aid the lrrgymsn, to VIII pm the old sallo
was personally known.
al am dying, your revercnce--dyng-
slipping awny-quetly and comfortably
but my glass is nigh run out
Shall read to you, or pray TO you ~
"Thank you kindly-you may hall be
clad to listen; bu, first | should like 10 ask
your reverence n few questions"
"Whlt are they, Jack Speak freely"
said they clergyman. as yonr mnd ~
peace with the world: do You possess the
hope Of happiness hereafter y
IL am pretty conf grtable that way, Sir
as com fortable as a man well may be, who
is passing, as have he7rdyou say, through
the valley of the shadow of DEATH where
all yond look. hnzy through the spy glass
but here is one thing that troubles me
sorely"
"1eil me what il is, my good old friend,
aud relieve your mind from all earthly
cares"
This ANTI On earthly care, your rever-
ERIE" feebly replied the old ran, whose
( life was evidently now fast ebbiDg away,
$50 much the better, Jack. II is well,
IL AZ this awful hour you have been enabled
to forget all earthly cares, and TO turn your
thoughts entirely TO that future, whose
( mysteries YOU are so soon TO solve. What
! ia il YOU would speak to me about =
ATS one of those mysteries, Sir, as
( should like to have my mind made easy
I about before | slips off. I've been epliced
on two women, yonr reverence, beth
Wins, troubles me is to know to which on
4 'em shall be lot,ed on 10 when gets up
aloft."
in the future world there are no mar
riages, neither is there any giving IN mar
riage,' replied The clergyman LIT no
such trifing thoughts occupy your MIN
now"
SWELL" replied Jack, "if your reverence
saws so and the Bible s,ys so, suppose, IT'S
all right. Not but what va have liked to
have tackled on to my first wife again, poor
thing! but it would have been ats-:pie
thing to have Ind to hook on through all
e,arnity with old mother Shipley's daughter,
I could never have heard the songs OF the
angels while her tongue was a-golng your
reverence" =,
"Havc you anything else troubling you
asked the clergyman, with difficulty repres-
sing smile, no,w outstanding the solemni'y