The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1855-06-30
Extract from the "Watchman."
Death Scene Of an Old Tar.

Extract from the "Watchman."
Death Scene Of an Old Tar.
In the course ofa few years, the rbeuma.
tism began to play about the joints of the
Old sailor and his limbs grew stiff, and he
was no longer ablo 10 perform his duties on
board OF the yacht with his former activity;
by and by, by slow degrees, these pains and
the concomitant inlir,nitics Of age increased
upon him, and the yacht had to be given up
altogether. Then, in the ample chimney
corner Of the servants Hall, in his lord.
ships mansion, in winter; and on n seat CO.
vered 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--teliing his
adventures by land and food over and over
again for years--until at last he was confined
TO his room--thcn to his bed.
He fingered, however, q long while, and
d Mordant, who had become greatly at
lnesnA n kia,s lFeqsentayspmt suhsus BY
Sbeolde. he was present when the old
IAN died. No one supposed the last event
WAS SO near at hand.
s His iordshp upon entering the room, ask.
ed Jack, as usual, how he felt
"'m drifting ashore fast, your honor"
was the reply. "O!d Jlck jenkins II soon
be stranded in ctarnity."
"Keep your courage, Jack" said his lord.
ship, 81 hope you'll be with US for many a
lay yet"
"No, your honor The orders been pass.
ed TO slip old Jacks cable, and tho chains al
ready inhibited"
! Can do anything for youY Have you
pvery thing you wish:"
4 VI should like n pipe Of bacca, yer honor.
These yarinints Of saryints won't give it me,
fho' I've axed it twenty timcs--coz why.
lhe doctor says how its bad for my cough.
Phe cough was plaguey bad last night, your
honor"
X "Then, Jack, I think they did right. You
know they must follow the directions Of the
Ihysicianr"
n "All right sir. dom, blame 'em. ne
er axed for pipe these three weeks I'll!
yesterday. know it's a seaman's duty to
bcy orders but when mans on his beam
tnds, and all the doctors in the service can't
Jet up his rigging again-why, then, | think
II hard TO thwart his humor | shan't see
daylight TO. morrow, Sir and | should like
me pipe afore drops of the nook. Maybe
Iacca amt sarved out in the other world"
Jack said this SO earnestly, yet 50 inno-
ently, that his ior1ship, notwithstanding
hat he saw the old man was rapidly sink.
hg, could scarcely forbear smile, and he
rdered servantt to bring the much coveted
ipe, which Jack smoked with much appa.
ent pleasure. Then, laying it aside, he
aid:
"Bacca and mes cut acquaintance, your
pnor that's the last pipe old Jack jenkins
ever smoke. Now, Sir, please send for
he parson, for the old sailor II take his dc.
hrture for the unseen world
"Do you feel 20 very bad, Jacki" asked
"a lordship, with great feeling expressed in
be tone of his voice.
IL feels no pain, Sir but knows as my
hble's almost run out, the last bights close
y the hawse-hole, and there amt no time to
pare. should like to make my accounts
il square before sheer off"
II Lord Mordant sent Immediately f~ the
hector OF the parish, who soon arrived nj
t36e xtbey, aud WAS shown into tho old
mans bedroom.
Lord Mordant would have retired, but
Jack begged him TO stay.
slow do you find yourself row, Jack p
said the clergyman, to whom the old sailor
was personally known.
~ am dying, your revercnce-dying-
slipping away-quietly and comfortably
but my glass is nigh run out"
'Shall read to you, OF pray with you ~
"Thank you kindIy-you may-I shall be
glad to listen but first should like to ask
your reverence few questions
"What are they, Jacks Speak freely y
said the clergyman. "lsy your mind a, peace
with the world do you possess the hope Of
happiness hcrealler."
"l am pretty comfortable that way, Sir
as comfortable as man well may be, who is
passing, rs have heard you say, through
the valley Of the shadow Of death, where
all beyond looks hazy through the spy glass
but there is one thing that troubles me
sorely."
"Iell me what it is, my good old friend,
and relieve your mind from all earthly
cares"
"This amt an earthly care, your rever.
ence," feebly replied the old man, whose
life was evidently now fast ebbing away.
$50 much the better, Jack. 1t is well, il
at this awful hour you have been enabled to
forget all earthly cares, and to turn your
thoughts entirely to that future, whose mys.
teries you are so soon to solve. What is it
you would speak me about3'
"lts one OF those mysteries, Sir. as
should like to have my mind made easy
about before | slips off, I've been splic I'd on
to two women, both of whom have slipped
their cables afore me. What troubles me is
to know to which on 'em shall DO lotted on
to when gets up aoft."
''in the future world there are no maria.
gcs, neither is there any giving in mar
'riage," replied the clergyman. Let not
such trihins thoughts occupy your mind
now"
"Well," replied Jack, "if your reverence
says so, and the Bible says So suppose it's
all right. Not but what I'd have liked to
have tackled on to my hrst w'to again.