The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1867-10-08

ter thls determination was taken. we
treated Jack more kindly, and be was
happier than be bad been for some
time. Once more we laughed and jo-
ked with him In the mess. and he in re-
turn helped us IN our navigation. We
were on our homeward-bound passage,
by the way Of Brazil, and our ship stop
ped at Rio Janeiro, where We remained
week or so. One pleasant morning
We six youngsters received permission
TO go on shore and spend the whole
day; and accordingly We rugged up in
our best togs and we're carried TO the
landing.
Now was our chance, aud we put our
heands together to see how it should
be done. Jacks very first desire, as
soon as be got ashore, was TO go up and
examine the various things Of interest
in the city. He wanted TO visit the
churches and such like places, and to
please him we agreed TO go with him il
be would take dinner with US. lie
agreed to do this at once, and we
thought we had him sure. We plann-
ed that after dinner we would have
some light sweet wine brought on, and
that we would contriye to get enough
rum in what he drank to upset him. for
nothing on earth would please US more
than to get JACK Small drunk, and car
ry him on board in that shape. for we
fancied that the captains fayoritism
would be at an end, and that he would
no longer look upon our rival with
preference over ourselves. We had the
matter all arranged, and in the mean
time paid Jack all the attention in our
power-so much SO that he at length
signifed willingness to go anywhere
to please us, provided we would not go
into any bad place.
Dinner time came, and most capi-
tai dinner we had. We had selected
one of the best hotels, for the prices
were no higher than at places of lower
repute, and in fact not SO high, for those
low places fleece sailor most unmerci-
fully. The eatables were despatched
with becoming gusto, and then the wine
was brought on.
"Ah, what have YOU here ?" asked
Jack, betraying some uneasiness at the
appearance of the glasses and bottles.
"Only little new wine," replied as
carelessly as could. "Mere juice Of
the grape"
"But it is wine, nevertheless, pursu.
ed he.
'1t isn't wine," cried Sam Pratt, one
Of the hardest nuts old Neptune ever
cracked.
NO." chimed in Tim Black, another
OF about the same stamp. It's only O
little simple juice. Come boys fill up.
The glasses were accordingly filed
Sam Pratt performed that duty, and he
took good care that Jacks glass had O
good quantity Of sweetened rum in it
"No," said Jack as the glass was mo.
we'd toward him. "If you are going tc
commence thus, will keep your com
pany with water while you remain or.
derly, but l viii not touch wine.
This was spoken very mildly and with
kind smile, yet it was spoken firmly
and we could see that our plan wal
about being knocked in the head. W.
urged him to drink with us-only one
glass, if no more. We told him how
innocent it was, and how happy his SO
cial glass would make US; but we coulC
not move him.
"Then let him CO." cried Tim. whc
had already drank some. In fact, al
of us but Jack had drank more or lesl
during the forenoon. "Let him CO.
We don't want the mean fellow viii
us
That's it, cried Sam, with litter
"off he goes" 'Ifhe's too good to drinl
with his shipmates we don't want him.
"You misunderstood me, said Jack
in tone Of pain. Il am not too goot
to drink with you in the sense whicl
you would take it But l do not wisl
to drink at all. !"
Too stingy-that's all, said /, de
termined to make him drink if | could
But Jack looked at me so reproachful
| " as said this that i wished l had no
spoken as | did.
Il, you wish to enjoy your wine mess
mates, said Jack, at the same time ris
ing from his chair, you can do so, bu
/ beg you viii excuse me. viii pa
my share Of the expenses for the din
ner."
"And for your share Of the wine,
said Tim. "for we ordered it for you.