The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1868-01-10

him: and, as for herself, she was like
the nurse of lady, smiling blandly
and looking kindly from her fine
Irish blue eyes, upon her little charge,
and unable to meet the gaze of all the
Jacks who were drawn up in line to
receive her 1t was really, as the
Captain said, sight for sore eyes
his own being a little red and
watery, as he turned his back for a
moment from the group and blew his
nose.
Now for it. Wallace!" cried one
of the crew, and Wallace scraped up
a sort of reel, and away went the tars
heel and toe, until, joining hands,
they wheeled round Billy and his
nurse to the evident de light of the
latter. The dance ended in a mingled
burst of laughter aud cheers, with
Hoorah for the pretty nurse" which
made Mrs. Bridget, chuckling with
delight, dive down, assisted by the
steward, to her nursery below.
In less than a week the voyage
ended in safety, and Billy and Mrs.
Bridget were comfortably housed
with Mrs. Wauchope. All his poor
mothers things were carefully locked
up until further orders. The desk
was sent as directed, and its receipt
Immediately acknowledged. The
lawyer informed Captain Wauchope
that the property bequeathed to the
lady was of little value, and her boys
title to it more than doubtful; that
no provision was made for him; and
that from letters in the desk, ad-
dressed by the father to the mother,
it was evident that he would have
nothing to do with him, as he
had deserted his wife, and was
living with another person; that
in these circumstances the law
be done. As the boy had no relations.
ed charity school for him, but left
it to Captain Wauchope to decide, as
also to settle to whom he should re-
turn the desk to be kept for the boy.
As the Captain finished the reading
of the letter, he only gave smile,
which expressed great satisfaction;
and he Immediately sailed forth to
have an interview with his minister.
This ended in the good man heartily
agreeing to dispense the sacrament of
baptism on Christmas Day at twelve
O'Clock, In the ship, adding, almost in
a whisper, Not on this mountain or
on that, you know, Captain-but the
heart, the heart-spirit and truth
That meeting on Christmas Day the
reader can easily p:ct9re to himself,
with the sort of party in the ship. 1t
was an idle day, and a holiday, though
not holy day-the Church of Scot
land, rightly or wrongly, recognizing
no day, except Sunday, as such.
All the crew were present in their
best attire. A sort of tent was formed
on the deck with sails, and decorated
with evergreens and flags. And in
addition to the crew, the Captains
wife and family were present. On
table covered with fine white cloth
were placed a large Bible and china
bowl with water. The Captain resolv-
ed to tax on the vows, and told his
minister that he had resolved to bring
up Billy as his own child-to treat
him as lamb of his own aock. He
would do this, he said, not only for
the boys sake, but for his mothers
sake. She was" But what she was
Wauchope seemed unable to tell the
minister.
After prayer, the minister very
beautifully and touchingly recalled
the chief incidents of the voyage. He
tLen addressed Captain Wauchope,
and shortly, but pointedly. expound-
ed to him his duties as the up-bringer
of the child. Then, reminding the
Captain that he promised to give this
crild Christian educa ion-bringing
it up in the nurture and admonition
of the Lord" he asked the boys
name.
William Buttons Wauchope For
dyce, or w. B. W. Fordyce; as you
think. BEST" replied the Captain with
a bow.
No sooner was the child baptized
than the Captain handed him to his
wife, bidding her pass Billy
round" Each of the crew re-
ceived him and handed him SOL
EMMY to his neighbor; and [ verify
believe some of them thought this
an essential part Of the holy cere-
mony. The Captain then ordered
him to be laid down to sleep, his little
head resting on the same pillow on
which the cheek of his dying mother
had reposed. - It's no HARM" said
Wauchope. " Mayhap she sees him,
and may like il"
The Captain provided an appro-
pirate treat for all under canvas. 1t
would be vain to record the innocent
speeches and fun of the Sailors after
the minister and the Captain, with the
=" females" had left them to enjoy
themselves, under the charge of the
MATE and steward Rut I muSt NOT