The Van Buren press., 1859-07-20
Death Scene Of an Old Tar.


was no longer able to perform his duties on
board Of the rachat. with his former activi-
ty: by and by. by slow degrees, these pains
and the concomitant infirI ,ities of age in
creased upon him, end the yacht had to be
given up altogether. Then in the ample
chimney corner of tho 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 hoars-telling his
adventures by land and food over snd over
again for years until q last he was confined
TO HE Soom-sAen 20 his bed. - Z
BE fingered. however. . long while. and
Lord Mordant, who had become greatly at
tached to him, frequently spent an hour at
his bed side. He was present when the old
man died. No one supposed that the last
| event was SO near at hand.
HIS lordship upon entering the room. ask
cd Jack, as usual, how he felt.
"Pm drifting ashore fast your honor, :"
was the reply. "Old Jack jenkins IL soon
be stranded in eternity
Keep your courage, jack" said his
lordship. Il hope you'll be with us many
day. yet
No, your honor. The orders been
passed to slip old Jacks cable and the
chains already united.
Can l do anything for you9 Have you
everything you wish %
81 should like pipe Of bacca,' your
honor, These yarmints of Sc, vants won't
give If me. though I've xed it twenty times
coz why-the doctor says it's bad for nv
cough. The cough was plaguey bad last
night. your honor
Then Jack. think they did right. You
know they must follow the direction of the
physician
All right, sir. don't blame 'en.
never axed for pipe these thre, weeks, till
yesterday. ] know it's seam.n's duty to
obey orders but when mans on his beam
ends, and all the doctors in the service can't
set up his rigging again-why, .hen think
it hard to thwart his hulnor. shan't see
daylight tomorrow, sir. and shouid like
one pipe afore l drops of the hook May
be bacca ain't served out in the tber world. !"
Jack said this so earnestly yet SO inno-
Gently, that his lordship. not withstanding
he saw the old man rapidly sinking. could
scarcely forbear smile. and he ordered
servant to bring the much coveted pipe,
which Jack smoked with much apparent
pleasure. Then laying it a. ide. he said
g Bacca and me cuts acq' 'mintapcc, your
honor, that's ths last pipe ,ld Jack Jenk-
sns- al s.x.sr smoke ,,
Now, sir. please send 70; the parson. for
the old sailor III take his departure for the
unseen world
'' De you feel so very bad o. asked his
lordship, with great feeliny Y pressed in the
tone of his voice
Lord Mordant would have retired. but
Jack begged him to stay
How do you find yourself now, Jack,"
said the clergyman. to whom the old sailor
was personally known.
I" am dying. your reverence--aying-
slipping away-7quietly and comfortably y
but my glass is nigh run out
81 feel no pain, sir, but know my ca
ble's almost run out the last bites close TO
the hawse- hole. ard there amt no time to
spare. | should like to make my accounts
all square befor9 / sheer Off
Lord Mordsnt sent immediately for the rec
tor OF the Parish. who arrived at the abby,
and was shown into the old man s bed room
Shall l read to you. Or pay with you %
Thank you kindly-yeu nay--I shall
be glad to listen; but first would like to
ask your reverence few questions.
What are they Jack o. Speak freely"
said the clergyman. els your mind at
peace with the world ? do you possess the
hopoof happiness hereafter
al am pretty comfortable that way, sir
-as comfortable as a man may we'll be-
who is passing, as 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 troubles
me sorely."
"Then tell me what it is my good old
FREUD, and relieve your mind Of all earthly
cares
This amt an earthly care, your rever-
ence," fecbly replied the old man, whose
life was evidently now fast cbbing away
SO much the better, Jack It is well,
if at this awful hour, you have been enabl-
ed to forget all earthly cares, and turn your
thoughts entirely to that future whose mys-
teries you are 80 soon to solve. What is
that you would speak to me about %
It's one of those mysteries, sir, as.>I
SHOULD like to have my mind made easy
about before slip of. I've been spliced on
to two women, your reverence, both of
whom have slipped their cables afore me.
What troubles me is to know to which on
'em l shall be lotted ON to when gets up
aloft."
"In the future world there are no mar
riages, neither is there any given in mar
riage," replied the clergyman. "Let no
such trifing thoughts occupy your mind
now"
WE'LL" says Jack. "i your reverence
says SO. and the Bible says SO, l suppose
it's all right. Not but what I'd have liked
to be tackled on MY first wife again, poor
thing but it would have been hard to have
to hook on through all eternity with old
mother Shipley's daughter. 1 could never
have heard the songs Of the angels while hel
tongue was going. your reverence
Have you anything else troubling you?''
asked the clergyman, with difficulty repress-
ing smile. notwithstanding the solemnity
of the occasion.
No, your reverence, nothing. I've new
er harmed any one willingly and though
may be, I havn't done all that ought "a
have done, hope the Lord'll have mercy
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