The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1871-04-08

sedndh' wuO was pacing up and down hi
deck, and ever and anon casting an impa
tient glance at the corner Of the wharf.
"Arent your passengers coming yet, MI
Jones We are losing this fine air of win
down the river"
They promised to be down at half pas
three" responded the old tar; "and yor
see It is scarcely that yet but we mus
wait no longer. Tom," continued be, ad
dressing his son, fine young man of five
and-twenty, run up, my boy, and see
they aren't coming yet"
Tom, obeying his father, sprung over tb
ships side, and in few minutes returned
accompanied by an old gentleman dresse,
10 black, on whose arm leaned young lady
closely wrapped up in a cloak, which de-
Tended her from the morning air. The oil
man seemed worn down by years and in
firmities, but, though over bis head NOR
than seventy winters had shed their SHOWS
yet in bis eye, at times, there shone ligh
spark OF eaimation, showing the fire NisicI
had hghtened up his face in other DAYS
His daughter seemed to lean on his arm fo
support; but she, in reality, afforded hin
assistance. Under the guidance of ole
Jones they proceeded to the cabin of tht
1sOeed, which was fitted up in a style o.
neatness, and what in those days might b.
reckoned -splendor. After seeing them
seated, old Jones mounted the companion
and proceeded OH deck to get bis vessel
under way. On reaching the deck. he
overheard two of the seamen and his son
Tom, who was also his mate, in close con-
versation.
l tell you what it is, Tom, +" said one of
them, hItcbing up his trOwsers-''I tell you
what it is, the Teddy may be a. bonny as
Molly Jackson, but the old man is priest,
and there is never luck when a priest is on
board
! have sailed the salt sea- said the
other sailor, fne-looking, upright figure,
" for thirty years now, man and boy, and
never yet sailed with priest without some
misfortune or other happening-I suppose
cause the Ould fellows so spiteful at sight
of them holy men that be tries to do all the
mischief be can, but we, poor devils, are
sure to bear it all. F"
:" That's all in my eye and Betty Mar
tin, replied Tom. There was no later
than the voyage before last, we took up
halfa-dozen priests, and the only thing
which happened was that, when they came
on board, fresh hand was sent to the bel
lows 70 blow more wind but it was fair
se, instead OF doing US i'll, the ould fellow
only cheated himself, as We made the pass
age in forty eight hours. But what signifies
talking? Didn't you see his pretty little
daughter 7"
" / couldn't get right look at her," re-
piled Bill Mossman, the seaman who spoke
last; but as she was stepping over the
hauser, ] got.a sqaint at her pretty little
foot. That was all could see. - S-es4 I
"Oh, Bill, " interrupted Tom, ''bad you
seen her as l did, last night, when / went
with old dad to call at their lodgings. MY
eye, what a beautiful run Ia pair of
cheeks fit for the bow Of frigate waist
as fine and tapering as the royal of q gun
brig; and quarter fit for man-of-war.
But her eyes
"Have burned hole in your heart, in
terrupted Mossman.
"Well, it's OF no use denying it, " replied
Tom. q" | will defy any one to see her and
not fall in love with her. But what struck
me more than her beauty was her kindness
and attention to her old father, who, poor
man, seems to need it all. The tears
trickled down the old mans face as he re-
lated all bis sutferings and trials and his
daughters affection; and shiver my tim
bers if | could help piping my eye to keep
him company.
That's always the way with you, re
piled Jem Ward, the other sailor; you're
always taken in tow BY some girl or other;
but you can never be true to one. | bad
never but one sweetheart-Peggy Dawson,
the prettiest girl in Berwick" :"
"YOur Peggy Dawson" replied Tom, is
no more to be compared to Miss Keveley
than keelman's barge is fit to be compared
with the Royal George"
"Well, well, " said Bill Mossman, " the
girl is well enough but / wish, as the
priest is aboard, that the voyage were we'll
over. But let me see, this is Friday, too
worse and worse"
Keep yourself easy" replied Tom. As
long as Miss Keyeley on board, you need
not fear. Such a kind creature as she is
will be in the place of the sweet little
cberub, which, as the song says, sits
up aloft, and takes care of the life of Door
Jack.
" But, F." asked Bill Mossman, g do you
know anything of their history?' 2
:" Very little" answered Tom, except
what the old gentleman himself told us last
night: That he has been a missionary
abroad for many years, and that his wife
has died IN foreign country, leaving him
and his only daughter, who accompanies
him; and that, worn out with the fatigues
which he has undergone, and his consttu-
ton broken down by an unhealthy climate,
he is returning to his native village, to lay
his bones, as he expressed it, beside the
ashes Of bis fathers
Their conversation was here interrupted
by old Jones, who gave the word to cast
off The warp which held them TO the ouay
AN order which was speedily obeyed by
the scamen; and The vessel soon paid off,
under the influence of the jib. The same
orders were given on board of the Princess
Charlotte and OtiUe, the other two smacks :;
and, in few minutes more, all the three
vessels were holding their course smoothly
and peaceably down the river. 1t was a
beautiful morning. A slight breath Of wind
was stirring, just sufficient to ill the sails
of the vessels: light, however, as it was, it
was fresh and invigoratlng- The sun was
just rising, and his upper limb only was as
yet visible, peering above the cloud with
which his body was enveloped, as if to take
a peep at the ocean and the land before ris-
ing from his couch. Gradually, however,
the king Of day emerged from the cloud,