The weekly Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1852-1855, 1855-01-11
q. q. = p. RATL ROAD,
IA Jack Knife.n

great enterprise to rs insignificant an Item
in the worlds mechanism as a 'Jaek knife. +"
an instrument to be found in every Yam
kee's pocket in the land. Don't laugh. read
er, curl your lip and with the exclamation
'from the sublime tothe ridiculous" pass
this article by without further notice; but
have patience and we win tell you "few
things" connected with the history of a
Jack Knife that may ''lead you think
ing"
Well. as the story goes, once on time
a ship was driven out Of her course, and
cast away within sight Of an unknown
coast. All on board might have escaped
in;the boats, though rather crowded, but
one of the passengers, on their refusing to
admit his trunk in any boat, remained in
the ship to unfasten it and get out his pock-
ct book, which contained notes to the a
mount of 100000. This he thought
would not detsin him moment, and he
requested them to wait; but in the hurry
and confusion Of the moment, lie could not
Immediately recollect what he had done
with the'key ofthe trunk. Having found
it at last and secured the money, be per-
ceiyed TO his dismay that every boat was
out of sight, while the ship was falling a.
part, and suddenly ho found himselfin the
sea. Catching at some article that was
floating by, he clung to it almost uncon-
sciously, not relaxing his hold even when
his senses were falling. Fortunately he
was Aoated to land, and when he revived,
he found himself lying on the beach. AS
soon as his strength returned, he ascend
ed an eminence, but could see no sign of
the wreck or boats, or Of any human crea-
ture. But as he was leaning despondingly
against tree. he was suddenly startled by
being slapped on the shoulder, while a
voice to his ear exclaimed 'what cheer, my
heartyT Turning round he gladly receg-
nised one ofthe crew,& inquired what had
become of the rest?
Why, don't know, but / suppose they
are safe by this time, but have seen moth
ing of them
Were you with them in the boats?'
No. l stayed on board to the last
And SO did l, though I was not aware
Of your being aboard. hope you sue
ceeded as well as did in saving your prop.
erty.'
4 had nothing to save but jack knife
and plug of tobacco-both safe enough
in my trowsers pockets
Then why did you not think Of saving
yourselfat once?'
No, | could not think Of leaving thu
ship as long as the planks held together
She could not say was not true to the last
But come, comrade, let us see what kind O
quarterswe have got into
They travelled some distance without an,
sight Of q habitation. Necessity quicken
cd their ingenuity. they were successful
occasionally catching fish, oysters. or birds
in all which the sailors jack knife proyot
OF invaluable service, in preparing thu
proper snares and weapons, in opening tn,
oysters, cutting up, or cleaning the fish o.
birds-above all, in striking light I,
make a fire for the purpose of cookery
Once, also, when they were attacked by
wild beast. the sailor by promptnoss 0
his jack knife saved their lives.
They had lived in this manner for som
months, when arriving at the opposite sid
Of tho island, they found it inhabited b,
savages, who conducted them to thei
king. The gentleman, anxious to concili
ate their copper skinned majesty. produce,
a five hundred pound bank. note, and DO
litely offered 1t to his acceptance. Th
king examined il with some curiosity, ap
Piled it to his nose and tongue, and beint
satisfied that 1t was not good to cat, ro
turned it with contempt. The gentleman
soon found out that his twenty thousan,
pounds could not procure him the smalles
consideration. The sailor,on the contrary
in a few days became parsonage of grea
importance, for tho many services whicl
he was enabled to render with his lacl
knife, among people whore iron was un
known. They literally supplied all thei
wants, and his rich friend was glad to prot
it BY his bounty.
One day, as they were attending III
king. on an eminence overlooking the SC,
they deserted distant sail evidently pa
sing the island. They kindled boni
and hoisted signals but they did not su
ceed in attracting notice.
If we only had boat, exclaimed Il
sailor, 4 think we could get within ha
and she does not stand far out, though
Is splain she intends to pass without touchil
this way
The gentleman produced his TWEEN
thousand pounds, and offered il to the kir
in.exchange for canoe, but his majesty r
jected the roll Of paper. and turned to Il