The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1855-08-01
IN ADVANCE
MUM Der q
Money Below Par.

and cast away within sigh. 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
pocket book, which contained notes to the
amount Of 100000. This he thought
would not detain him n moment, and he
requested them to wait, but in tire hurry
and confusion Of the moment, he could
not Immediately recollect what he had
done with the key cf the trunk. Hav-
ing found it at last and secured the mon
ey, he perceived, to his dismay, that every
boat was out Of sight, while the ship was
falling apart, and suddenly found himself
in the sea. Catching at some article that
was floating by, he clung to it almost un-
&C nsciously, not relaxing his hold even
when his senses were failing. Fortunate
Iy he was floating to land, and when he
revived, he found himself lying on the
beach. As soon as his strength returned,
he ascenGed to an eminence, but could
see no sign of the wreck or boats, or of
any human creature. But as he was
leaning despondingly against tree, he
was suddenly startled by being slapped
on the shoulder, while voice in his ear
exclaimed, "what, cheer up my heartyg"
Turning round be gladly recognized one
of the crew, and enquired what had be-
come of the rest!
"Why, don't know, but I suppose
they are safe by this time, but l have
seen nothing Of them"
"Were you with them in the boats9"
mo, | stayed on board to the last"
"And so did !, though was not aware
of your being aboard. hope you sue
ceeded as well as ] did in saving your
property"
Il 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
yourself at on.el'
No, ! could not think of leaving the
ship as long as the planks held together.
She could not say that was not true to
the last. But come, comrade, let us SEQ
what kind Of quarters we have got into"
They travelled some distance without
any sight of habitation. Necessity
quickened their ingenuity; they were sue.
cessful, occasionally catching fish, oysters
or birds, in all which the sailors Jack
knife proved Of invaluable service in pre-
pairing the proper snares and weapons, in
! opening the oysters, cutting up or clean
ing the fish or birds, above all, in striking
a light to make fire for the purpose Of
cookery. Once, also. when they were at
tackled by wild beast, the sailor, by a
prompt use Of his jack-knife, saved their
lives.
They had lived in this manner for some
months, when arriving at the opposite of
the island, they found it inhabited by sa-
wages, who conducted them to their king.
The gentleman, anxious to conciliate his
copper-skinned majesty, produced five
hundred pound bank note. and politely
offered it to his acceptance. The king
examined it with some curiosity, applied
it to his nose and tongue, and being sat-
isfied that it was not good to eat, return
ed it with contempt. The gentleman
soon found out that his twenty thousand
pounds could not procure him the small
est consideration. The sailor, on the con-
trary, in a few days became parsonage
Of great importance, for the many services
he was enabled to render with his jack
knife, among a people where iron was un-
known. They literally supplied all their
wants, and his rich friend was glad to
profit by his bounty. One day, as they
were attending the king, on an eminence
overlooking the sea, they deserted a dis
tant sail evidently passing the island.
They kindled bonfire and hoisted sig
mails, but they did not succeed in attract
ing notice.
"If we only had boat" exclaimed the
sailor, l think we could get within hail,
and she does not stand far out, though il
is plain she intends to pass without touch
ing this way"
The gentleman produced his twenty
thousand pound and presented it to the
king in exchange for canoe, but his ma
jesty rejected the roll of paper, and turn
ed to the sailor with tho single word
"knife."
The bargain was instantly closed, the
jack.knife received by the king with no
less delight than was experienced by the
Englishmen as they jumped into the ca
noe. BY dint Of hard padding and . ia
vorable cuusnt they got within hail, and
were taken aboard the ship, which pto-
we'd to be an English vessel homeward
bound.
AS they came wi.hin sight Of the white
cliffs, the gentleman took the sailor apart
and handed him two notes, which amoun-
ted TO thousand pounds aud said;
"You must not refuse to accept this, for
\ you have dome for me moro than twenty
times as much as ! could have done. /
trust you may find these bills, one day or
other, as useful as your jack knife has been.
have learned by this time that mans
wealth is to be measured not by the en-.
tent Of his possession, but by the use lse
can make Of what be possesses.