Daily Iowa State Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1856-1859, 1859-05-19

grew stiff, and he was no longer able
to perform his duties on board Of the
yacht, with his former activity BY and
by, by slow degrees, these pains aud
the concomitant ilniirmities of age in-
creased upon him, and the yacht had
to be given up altogether. Then in
the ample chimney corner Of the ser
wants hall, in his lordships mansion,
in winter, and on seat covered with
an arbor, overlooking the tiishpond,
which Lord Mordant had constructed
for his especial benefit in summer, the
old man passed his waking hours
telling his adventures by land and food
over and over again for years until at
last he was confined to his room-then
to his bed.
He fingered, however, a long willis,
and Lord Mordaht, who mad become
greatly attached to him, frequently
spent an hour al his bed side. lie was
present when the ord man died. No
one supposed that the lest event was
SO near at hand.
His lordship upon entering the
room, asked Jack, as usual, how he
felt.
I'm drifting ashore fast your hnnor,"
was the reply. "Old Jack jenkins will
soon be stranded in eternity.
keep your courage, Jack" said his
lordship. Il hope You'll be with us
many a day, yet.
"No, yonr honor. The orders been
passed to slip old Jacks cable, and the
chains already unbiteG"
"Csn do anything for you Have
yon everything you wish
81 should like pipe of 'bacca,' your
honor. These varmints Of ser vants
won't give it me, though I've axed it
twenty times-coz why-the doctor
says its bad for my cough. The cough
was plaguey,bad last night your honor
Then, Jack, think they did right.
You know they must follow directions
Of the physician.
All right, sir. | don't blamc'em.
| never axed for pipe these three
weeks, till yesterday. | know it's
seaman's duty to obey orders; but
when mans on his beam ends, and
all the doctors in the service can't set
mp his rigging again-why, then l
think it hard to thwart his humor.
! shan't see daylight tomorrow, sir,
and ! should like one pipe afore drops
OFT the hook. May be bacca amt SER
we'd ont in the other world.
Jack said this so earnestly, vet so
innocently, that his lordship, notwith-
standing. he saw the old man rapidly
sinking, could scarcely forbear smile
and be ordered servant to bring the
much coveted pipe, which Jack
smoked with much apparent pleasure.
Then LAYING it aside, he said:
Bacca and me cuts acquaintance,
your honor, that's the last pipe old
Jack jenkins ii ever smoke"
Now, sir, please send for the par
son, for the old sailor II take his de-
parture for the unseen world"
Do you feel SO very bad 7" asked
his lordship, with great feeling express
cd in the tone OF his voice.
Lord Mordant wonld have retired,
but Jack begged him to stay.
How do you find yourself now,
Jack said the clergyman, to whom
tho old sailor was personally known.
Il am dying your accommodating
slipping away-quietly and comfor-
tably-but my glass is nigh run out
81 feel no pain, sir but ] know my
cables almost run out, the last bites
close to the hawse- hole, and there amt
no time to spare | should like to
make my accounts all square before
sheer off"
Lord Mordant sent Immediately for
the rector of the parish, who arrived
at the abbey, and was shown into the
old mans bedroom.
Z" Shall | read to you, or pray with
you"
a" Thank You kindly-yon may
shall be glad to listen; but first would
like to ask your reverence few ques-
tons"
i" What arc they Jack ?" speak free
ly," said the clergyman. as your
mind at peace with the world do you
possess the hope of happiness here
after T.
" | am pretty comfortable that way,
sir--ss comfortable AS 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 lie nv good
old friend, and relieve your mind Of all
earthly cares"
" This amt an earthly care, your
reverence" fcebly replied the old man,
whose life was evidently now fast eb-
bling away.
So much the better, Jack. 1t is well,
if at this awful hour, you have been
enabled to forget all earthly cares, and
turn your thoughts entirely to that
future whose mysteries you are 80 soon
TO solve. What is that you would
speak to me about"
''lts one OF those mysteries, sir, ~
! should like to have my mind made
easy about before ] slip oil. I've been
spliccd on to two women, your rever-
ence, both Of whom have slipped their
cables aforc me. What troubles inc il
10 know to which on en- I shall be
lotted on to when gets up aloft,'
''In the future world there are no
xnasssaaos ..aiAh M. - A.