The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1869-12-20
THE FAITHFUL BOY.


craft was never seen. Her tarred rig
ging fairly shone in thesunlight,and her
freshly-painted ports looked as clean
as a new chess. board.
One night, shortly after the vessel
came into port, her captain, Thomas
Cummings, called his cabin boy to the
quarterback. The lad cheerful obeyed
the summons, for he was always ready
to perform his duty. He was a fine
looking youngster, of sixteen, with
black curly hair, bright blue eyes, and
q slender active figure.
"Here, jack" said the skipper, as he
pat letter into the boys hand, Il want
you to call shore boat, and take this
Just as soon as you can, to John, the
Spaniard. You know where his place
is, don't youi"
"No sir"
"Well, then, all you have to do, is to
walk straight up the first street on your
right after you land, until you come to
a long, low wooden building, sort of
grocery store, near church. John after
reading the letter, will give you a box
of cheese, which you must bring aboard,
as soon as you can, as weshall get under
way in few hours"
"Ay, ay, STRIP answered Jack. Then,
running forward, he jumped upon the
bowsprit, and hailed shore boat which
was passing. The little vessel came
alongside, and, springing into it, the lad
was soon pulled to the landing.
He saw the street mentioned by the
captain, and, entering it, hurried along.
He had not proceeded far, however, when
~ al ,,., fona y { CONCEAL
ed by the rim of q curious round cap,
seized him by the shoulder.
(Which way, youngster, ut this time
of night"
81 am going after cheese for my cap
tain, answered the lad. "He commands
the Warrenton."
"Oh, you are from Captain Cummings,
are your
Eyes, sir"
81 thought so; and you were sent TO
"John the Spaniard."
"Well, / am John the Spaniard: and,
as my store is closed for the night, you
will accompany me to my house, and
will get you box of cheese from my
cellar"
The lad shook his head.
mo, sir" he said, resolutely; 81 was
told to 60 to the store, l shall go. l
always obey orders"
"But the store is closed, l tell you"
81 must see that for myself" answered
Jack.
The man laughed hoarsely.
"You might as we'll tell me | lie. l
am sorry-very sorry to be suspected in
this way" he said, in grieyed tone of
voice.
ooh, meant no ofesce," said Jack.
al like to do exactly what I'm told to-
thatt all"
So saying, he moved on.
you'll see for yourself that the
store is closed, y said the man, following
him.
He was right; Jack found the store
closed.
"Now, then, hope you're satisfied
that am John the Spaniard," said his
companion. "Why do you doubt my
word never saw boy act so strange
ly."
Because yon don't speak broken Eng
hsh,' answered Jack, with his usual
frankness. "A Spaniard would not speak
English as we'll as You do"
"Nonseuse! have spent six years of
my life in the United States"
well, must see my captain before |
20 any further in this matter" said the
careful lad.
de knew that the town was full of
vagaoonus, cut Threats and burglars,
and so was determind not to give a
stranger the letter entrusted to his care,
The mans voice had impressed him nm.
favorsbly from the first.
Therefore he was turning away whom
the fellow suddenly-eeized him by the
back of the neck, tripped him up, snatch.
ed the letter from his hand, and made
off.
"Stopthief! stop thief! shouted the
lad with all his might, as he sprang up
and started in the pursuit.
A vigilante, hearing him,uow appear
ed from around a corner, and Joined in
the chase.
The thief's legs being very long, he
was swift runner; still his pursuers
contrived to keep him in sight, until
they saw him plunge among the shad
ows OF grove of trees inst outside the
town.
They entered the grove and looked
ronna them carefully, but could see
nothing of thetugitive.
Ihls Is mystery" said one of the
vigilantes, land there's no use of onr
looking for the fellow any longer. He's
probably got off in some safe place by
this time.n
1--WE didn't see him leave the grove y
said Jack; $50 how could he have got
off ~
''He might have crept off in the long
grass yonder," answered the man,
without our seeing him. He could do
that easy enough in the dark. These
rascals are very cunning, and it's not
often we manage to arrest one of 'em.n
JACK sprung forward and examined
the grass narrowly.
The man did not leave the grove"
he said, resolutely. "Pm sure of il: the
grass isn't tIampled down at all.n
We'll, WELL" answered the vigilante,
Grossly. Whether he did or not. YOU
can see for yourself that he isn't here.