, 1864-05-14

my proposal, the smile Vanlsned from her
f .ce quicker than the sun is hidden by clouds
in u hurricane. She surveyed me from
head to foot, as a sergeant wonld recruit,
and turning me unceremonio,Ely round, in
quired-' And how much wilt thou gle me
t boot 2
Her whole stock Of old clothes, shoes,
marine stores, and other n ceteras, were
not worth Eve pouads, Eahile my coat
alane had cost three, not three weeks be-
fore. 4t.
|. Nothing, / replied. sS
tNOthingl tlioa scosa,y yaeObber O. the
dead = cried my fair dealer in secondhand
garments. 'Dost think steal my guides
Nothing.-Be Off was retiring from
the tempest, when she grusped me by the
tails of the coat, adding Coon back; let
me syee what can do wi thee.
She then spread out a patched blue
jacket, an old Guernsey ffock, aud pair
Of canvass trousers.
Now, these will ct ye L tee, con-
tinued she, 'Or I'm Dutchman! But,
upon my word, thou shud gle me summit
Z boot, my canny lad.'
The wide aperture serving for window
was without frame or glass. and the folding
door was SO hung around with the principal
stock Of the shop, and barriadOed with
boots, shoes, and such like, that it could
not be shut till night; and, on my inquir-
ing for an apartment to change my dress
Jenny johnson! exclaimed she, burst
ing into laughter. 'that'sa gud un.-wherc
did ye get yur modcsty? Did ye steal the
clacs, that ye are afraid to be seen! My
Geth! | dinna knaw but the eonstaples
may be here for them before night yet!
had better mind what Pm deein', else I'll
lose bath guides and character
Making r;uc Of necessity, ! equipped
myself as quickly as possible; and, with a
hurried step, hastcned to the quay. With
out stopping, proceeded to North Shields,
where went on board a collier, aud in.
quircd for the skipper. was directed
down to the cabin, and there l found sit
ting jolly, fear-nothing. merry little iel-
low, penn ng love epistlc to bis owners
daughter. Ga applying to him for berth.
Why, dontt know but l may gle thee
one, said he; 'thOus gud.lOoking yeang
chap Ike myself. Was ye ever in the coal
trade afore = NO, answ,rcd l. Il
might hae seen that by the whiteness o
thy hands, said he. Where did 70 sar
your timer ,r
| told him had been in the American
trade.
Wei : continued he, Ieanua engage ye
by the run, but by the month and Use no
gaun to ask We can haul, reef, aud steer, and
splice rope, and them land-lubberish sort
o questions; but only, / maun tell ye, when
ye are at the helm, il tho watch sisg out,
ship ahead!' dinna We mind pin; but,
IL the other doesn't ship about, run right
athwart the lubber's haWse, aad learn him
better manners; that's wur way o dcein
lie: him knaw it was his duty to stand clear
o fire ship. Bat, say, are ye a gad
writerp
Rather good, said I.
'Shiver me, said he, then yur Just the
ehsp for me! want bit letter here for
a sweetheart o mine, man but, smash me |!
l can't flourish il Of at all. Try thy fist at
it, mate. Maybe 70 can dec bit at the
indiiing, tee--fjr, ye see, she's been at the
boarding school aud, drat me, though l
can MAJ ase the spelling pretty hobbling.
wi. looking at the dictioner Ger the words,
yet l knaw nought about their grammar.
Now, / say. If ye understand il, gle her a
good d,a, o gr. mmar int. That's the way
to dee the business! Conscience! had my
father kept me anither year at the school,
would married duchess
! now entered u. on the honorable Office
of confidential secretary to the skipper Of
a collier. On finishing tho letter, l read il
TO him; and, on hearing it, he danced round
the cabin in ecstasy, exclaiming-' Blow
me, If that wunna dee, nought will. ] say,
IL ye turn out as gud seaman as ye are u
scholar, l will make yc my mate, and that's
ALL"
THUS became iavorite with the skipper
from the first; and not being bad.natured
fellow, though l say it myself, l soon be-
came favoritc with the crlw also. sailed
in the collier during three years, and in that
time had obtained the forgiveness Of my
mother, but the countenance of my grand
father never. He cut me of as prodigal
But there was one night that about halt-a-
dozen Of Us were upon a lark, as We called
Il, battling the watchnen and seeing life in
London, aud, upon the whole, making more
mirth than mischief, when, as luck would
have i, We ran foul Of press-gang upou
Tower Hill. What cheer, my hearties Y
cried the LuG who headed the gang
Some Of our party took to their heels, but
l stood still; for didat care toss-up Of
a copper about the matter. was just as
willing to serve the king as another man, if
be woald pay me for il. So surrendered
at diseret on, aid the lieutenant called me
'6ne fellow for 81 doing All, you old
shark ! thinks |, your purser's grin won't
CANNON Tom Moifat.'
One Of my mates who attempted to run
was brought back; and from my heart l
was sorry for him, for he had wife and
four little ones; and l suppose they might
sink or swim, live or starye, for all that the
service into which be vas impressed would
see. say, or care about the matter. CSufound
me! after all, impressment is too bad. It's
a black shame to the navy. II has broken
more hearts than ever it made heroes. Why
drag away man, like a dog at cart tail,
against bis will? Again say, it is shame
dll over. Why not give better pay, and
| clear the decks for nromoti0n2 Then thew