Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1855-06-29
EVENING STAR,
CASTING OFF FROM LIES MooRIAog

CASTING OFF FROM LIrE's MooRIaes.
In The Watchman" figures the Jack
tar, who is designated as old Jenkins.
The character is well drawn, and the
writer shows himself well acquainted
with the sailor character. We give be-
low the death scene CT "Old Jenkins"
In the course of few years, however.
the rheumatism began to play about the
join S Of the old sailor. and his limbs
grew stiff, and he was no longer able to
perform his duties On board of the Yacht
with his former activity; by and bye.
oy slow degrees, these pains and the coz.
comitant infirmities of age increased
upon him, and the yacht had to be given
up altogether. Then in the ample chin.
ney corner Of the servants hall: in the
iordShps mansion, in winter, and on a
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 xaI;ne
nonrs-telling his battles and adventures
ey land and flood over and over seain
Tor years-until at last he was confined
to his room then 10 his bed.
de fingered, however, for a lonq while
and Lord Mordant, who had -
greatly attached to him. So ~ecome
wn.n - bedside. He was present
.ne old man died. No one sup.
posed the last event was so near at hand.
His lordship, upon entering the room.
asked Jack, as usual, how he felt.
Il am drifting ashore fast, your honor"
was the reply. "Uld Jack Jenkins will
soon be stranded in eternity"
Keep your courage, Jack" said his
lordship, Il hope you'll be with US for
many day yet"
"NO, your honor. The orders been
passed to slip old Jacks cable, and the
chains already bitted."
"Can do anything for you2 Have
you everything you wish !''
81 should like pipe of 'bacca, your
honor. These varmints of servants won't
give it me, though I've axed it twenty
times cos whyl the doctor saws how
it's bad for my cough. The cough was
plaguey bad last night, your honor"
Then, Jack, l think they did right.
You know they must follow the direc-
tionS Of the physician.
"All right, sir. | don't blame 'em.
[ never axed for pipe these three weeks
TIL yesterday. l know it's a seaman's S
duty to obey orders but when a mans
On his beam ends, and all the doctors in
the service can't set up his rigging again,
why, then, L think it's hard to thwart
his humor. | shan't see DAYLIGHT TO.
morrow, sir, and l should like one pipe
afore L drops off the hook May be 'bacca
am served out in the other world.
Jack said this so earnestly vet so inno-
Gently, that his lordship, notwithstand.
ling that he saw the old man vas rapidly
sinking, could scarcely forbear q smile,
and ne ordered the servant to bring the
much.coveted pipe, which Jack smoked
with much apparent pleasure. Then,
laying il aside, he said:
Bacca and mes cut acquaintance,
your honor that's the last pipe old Jack
Jenkins ii ever smoke. Now, sir, please
to send for the parson, for the tide S ebb.
ing fast, and at low water the soul of the
old sailor II take its departure for the
unseen world"
| "Do you feel sovery bad, Jacl?" asked
his lordship, with great feeling expressed
in the tone of his voice.
| 4" feels no pain, sir ;" but [ knows
that my cables almost run out, the last
blight is close to the hawser hole, and
there amt no time to spare. | should
like to make my accounts all square be-
fore sheer of. "
Lord Mordant sent Immediately for the
rector of the parish, who soon arrived at
the abbey, and was shown into the OLD
mans bedroom.
| Lord Mordant would have retired, but
Jack begged him to stay.
I" How do you find yourself now,
Jack Z" said the clergyman, to whom
the old sailor was personally known.
| m dying, your reverence-dying-
slipping away-quietly and comfortably
but my glass is high run out"
Shall read to you, or pray with
yous"
Thank you kindly; you may-I shall
be glad to listen ; but first would like
to ask your reverence few questions 2"
| " hos oiS SuS1 odSh peak Tree
ly," said the clergyman. lis your mind
at peace with the world Do you DOS
seSs the hope of happiness hereafter e.
81 am perfectably comfortable that
way, sir-as comfortable as a man may
well be, who is passing, as 1 have heard
you say, through the valley of the sha-
dow OF death, where all beyond looks
haZV thronph the sDVplacc. bnt tha,o 20
one thing troubles me sorely."
Then tell me what it is, my good
old friend, and relieve your mind from
all earthly cares"
"This amt an earthly care, your rev.
erence," feebly replied the old man,
whose Life was evidently now fast ebbing
away.
$50 much the better, Jack. 1t is well
if, at this awful hour, you had been ena-
bled to forget all earthly cares, and to
turn your thoughts entirely to that fu-
ture, whose mysteries you are so soon to