The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1868-04-10
Misfellaueuas.
A SCENE FROM "NORWoOD."
THE DEATH or TOMMY TAFT THE OLD SAILOR


hand, but none, we think. more original and
hearty than that which gives Us the last
moments of the retired old sailor, Tommy
Tail:-
at was very plain ,ha, Tommy did not
accep, any one as prizes, but Barton Cath.
cart, and that tho only thread by which his
rugged nature could be led was the single
golden strand OF affection"
''Ile grew daily weaker. and more and
more Grabbed. II was u hard task for Moth
er Taft. lie poured out words like paving
stones upon her. He would agree to moth
ing, and seemed likely to go out out Of the
world like shaggy bear seeking his north
crn comfort for hyberna,ion. On the first
day Of March il was, that Tommy Taft had
been unquic,ly sleeping in the forenoon, to
make up Tor disturbed night. The little
noisy clock that regarded itself as the es.
serce ofa Yankee, and ,icked with immense
alacrity. and struck with the most bustlng
and emphatic manner-this Industrious and
moral clock began striking, whir-r.r, one;
whir r.r. two; whirr.r, three; ('Tommy
lIerked his head lil,lc, Us il something
vexcd him IN his sleepl; whir-r-r, tour |;
whir.r-r FIVE; whir-r six; ('Kecp still,
Ye? let inc alone. old woman. D
your mcdicineD; whir.r-r, seven; whi.r-r
eight ('God in heaven, rs sure as livc,'
said Tommy, rubbing his eyes, as ir to
make sure that they saw arigh). whir.r.r,
nine; whiI-r.r. ten Then holding on, his
arms with the simplicity OF child. his face
fairly glowing with joy, and looking now
really noble, no cried:
Barton-my boy. Baron-l knew YOU
woundn't let the old man ,lic and not help
him ] knew il knew il
Ailcr the first surprise Of JOY had subsi'lcd
Tommy pushed Barton from the edge Of
his bed.
"Stnnd up, boy; turn around. There he
is! Nowi'm all right. Got my pilo, aboard.
Sealed or,icrs-rea,ly to sail mini, the haw.
scr's let go.
"Ai,cr few worls about his return from
the West, his health AMI prospects, the old
man returned to the subject that seemed to
lie nearest his heart.
They've all had hand ut mo, Barton.
Therr' s twenty firms in this town that is
willin' to give leller sailin' orders, when
they soc he's aui i'ard bound. But am an
old SALT know my owners = said Tommy,
with an afIec,iona,e wink at Barton.
"Oh, my boy, you're hack agin; it's all
right now. Don't you let me go wrong
! want you to tell me just where you're so-
in, and u bear right up for that port !!
You know, Barton 4 never cheated you when
you was boy. | took care ofye, and never
told you lie in my life, aud never got you
in serapc. You wont cheat an old
man now, will ye"
"lt was all that Barton could do to main
tain his sclEPossession. Tears and smiles
lhcp' 'coihpohy oh u's "So'
Any dear old Tommy, we wontpau com
pany. We're both bound to the same land.
Goa will, hope, for Christ sake, forgive
all our sins, aud make us meet for e'erlas.
ting liie!'
"'Amen - reared OIL, the old man. Go
on. You really believe in il Come here,
Barton, sit down on the edge Of the bed, look
me in the face, and no hummery-do you
really believe there's another worldT
"ldo. Tommy, | believe it in my very
soul:'
"'That's enough! I bclievc it too, Jest ns
sariain rs if a shlpmato had told me about
an island ia never seen, buy ~
"'Now, Barton, give
Dye believe that ,hcr
poor ieller to i,r
"i do. Chris
all of us. lie IS
other reas
loves &c
trust
"k
lie wonS..p
he? or, how'sh.--l1~. IN
me, Barton. Just To please me mo
the hardest out. believe e'ef Oh
say
"Bar'"ns own soul had tra'' 70
very TOM" on ""vn .o"'
"aS'ns' a"' s'' '0"'s"'"''"s ~, ~
'"'', '"' ,'' - ""s c',. -
,.,, m".m "' "" 's ~ ~" - 80
o'' 'es'a"'e"'' UNI ""''" "e 10"
memory WIN even ","'' 'ee""s una