Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1860-02-03
A SAILORS YARN"
RELIGION AND RAsoALIrY.

A writer in the Traveller gives
one or two incidents in the life of
sailor, named William Cook, a native of
Martha's Vineyard, which are well told
and convey a useful lesson. Cook was
converted through the instrumentality of
Father Taylor in the earlier years of that
earnest preachers ministry. Like most
Vineyard boys, he became a sailor, and
here follows bis after history:
At twenty-five William obtained com
mand of fine brig in the West India
trade, and seemed in a fair way of obtain
ing competency, and then marrying
Mary, his first and only love.
The captain who had recommended
him to the owners of the brig, was
shrewd, straightforward man, who always
kept his weather eye open, ashore or
ahoat, and stood no nonsense from any
one. In turning over the brig to VIII
liam he said
You must sail her on shares; and let
me advise you to trust no man out of
your sight. Your owner is a very clever
fellow; but as you have the collecting of
your own freight, be sure to pay your
self first, before you settle with him; for
if he once gets the money in his hands,
you'll not get it again short of lawsuit,
if then. Why, the fellow makes ten
thousand dollars year by going TO law"
"Thank you, kindly, sir" said Viii
liam, " for the interest you have taken in
me; but with the help of God, shall
labor to be strictly upright"
"Tbat's what want you to be, my
lad don't want you to give this shark
a chance to skin you alive"
William set sail with fine breeze, and
soon cleared the land, but the third day
out he encountered tremendous gale,
which lasted nearly a week. Having a
handy vessel, and being a good seaman,
he sustained very little damage, and once
more set sail with a strong breeze. That
night he saw light to leeward, and ran
for it. Though the wind was fair, the
sea was quite rough from the effects of
the late gale. As he approached the
light, lie saw that it was on board of a
dismasted vessel, which lay walIowing in
the trough Of the sea. As he crossed
her stern, her captain hailed him, and
said that his ship was rudderless, and so
leaky that his men were nearly exhaust
ed with pumping, and asked him, for
Gods sake, to heave to, and take them
of.
Fear not, replied Capt. Cook, I'll
lie by you while I've a stick standing"
He Immediately called all hands, close
reefed his topsails, and brought his yes
sci to the wind, under the lee Of the ship
and, at daylight, took from her thirty-fve
persons. Anxious to preserve the lives
he had saved, he deviated from his course
and landed them at the nearest port
though, by doing so, he was liable to in.
validate his insurance and charter. Ht
performed his voyage successfully, bu
the charterers. not having made so mucl
money by their shipments as they expect
ed, after receiving their returns-for hi
disregarded the prudent advice Of hi
friend, and kept nothing back-the char
ter-party refused to pay, upon the grounc
that the vessel had deviated from he
course. and the owner, in rage, turned
him out of the vessel Not only did h,
lose his command, but all the money h
had used in sailing the vessel, which alb
sorbed the savings of years. He had no
above twenty dollars left. His old friend
the captain, called upon him, not to up
braid him, but to put him in way Q
squaring accounts with the sharks
After examining Cooks manifest and &C
count current, he said
"Why, Cook, the vultures have mad
fifteen per cent, on their shipment; a
much as has been made by any vessel i
the trade; and your voyage, notwith
standing the deviation, has been shorte
than those Of several vessels that sale
about the same time. Sue them-th
knaves would not dare TO come int
court. What, ruin a man because h
hove to for the purpose Of saving life, an
did save it, like a true sailor? Why, til
devil could not do worse. Sue them, an
I'll be bound you will get your own, wit
interest !"
My friend replied Cook, ! than
you, but viii not follow your ADVICE
My conscience approves my conduct
and while it does so, I can well afford t
forgive these men. My blessed Savio.
in whom / have trusted from boyhooC
-.