Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1871-03-10
ron THE YOUNG FOLKS.
THE STORY OF HOBBY.

/ One time, long ago-somewhere about
the year I69o-a little orphan boy was
brought to a tailor to become an appren-
tice. .Thesstory am going to tell hap
/ peped in England, at small fishing
1 village or4he sea Shore called Niton.
| The boy S name was -Hobson, but he
was called Hobby by way of a pet
name; for not only the tailor and his
wife loved him, but he was a great ia
vorite with all the people in the village.
I As he grew older hewas kind and cheer
/ full. and always ready to serve any one
! a good turn. Then, too, he had a nice
voice to sing, and whenever the men
were going on fishing expedition they
wanted Hobby to go along.
| But one day there was great grief in
| the village for Hobby was missing and
could not be found. His hat was pick
ed up on the beach, and two or three
days after. the little boat he used to
paddle about in was washed ashore
empty The tailor and his wife mourn
ed very much for theiT. dear boy, and
the neighbors wept with them; and for
long time the name of the lost was
not mentioned without sorrow.
But Hobby was not dead. He had
chanced to see the English squadron.
as it sailed by down the Channel. The
temptation was too much for him. He
dropped his work. ran to his boat, and,
seizing the oars, made for the ships
In few minutes the wind took off his
at.-but on he went, not stopping for
that
Presently the attention of the Admir-
al was. called to this boy in boat. try
ing to overtake them. Hobby came
up alongside, and begged so hard to
be taken aboard that his request was
granted. His little boat was cut adrift,
and he was brought up TO the deck.
The squadron was IN the service of
the Queen Queen Anne-and was go
ing to fight the French. The next day
they met the French feet, and a battle
I commenced at once. The fight was
terrible for about two hours, and then
/ Hobby, who had no idea what it was all
about, asked a sailor what these ships
were fighting for.
Do you. see that rag there 2 said the
sailor, pointing to the flag on the mast
of the French ship.
Aye" said Hobby.
That must come down., said the
sailor
Oh, said Hobby if that's all, I'll
see WhaE can 90.
The fag-ships Of the two admirals
were close together; indeed, their yard
arms touched, and both vessels were
wrapped in a complete cloud of smoke.
Instantly Hobby climbed up to the
shrouds. and crossed along the main
yard of the French ship. The smoke
was thick below him, and he was not
seen. He seized the flag, and quickly
returned to the deck Of the English
ship.
Very soon, however, the smoke lifted.
when It was observed that the French
flag was. gone. The. cry of victory in
! stantly arose from the British ship, and
the French thought their officers had
surrendered. Confusion followed, and
the British went directly aboard the
| French admiral's 5 ship and captured her.
| Still, Hobby never dreamed that he
had done anything in particular. There
he stood, on the deck of the British ship,
with the French flag wound round his
arm, looking about, and wondering what
was to be done next. In few minutes
! the Admiral and several other officers
came up to him, and he was promoted
on the spot.
Hobby remained in the naval service,
and rose rapidly in rank, till, after a
while, he became Admiral Hobson.
The good people of Niton never heard
of all this; they always supposed that
| poor Hobby was drowned. Years pass
! ed away, and the tailor and his wife be-
came old people when, one day. a
party of naval officers came to their
humble dwelling. They were in very
snowy, elegant uniforms, and they came
to the door, and asked for some dinner
The two old people were surprised at
this distinguished. party coming to their
house, and wished it were in their power
to set a nice dinner before them but
ham and eggs was all they could offer.
/ The officers, however, had brought wine
and other luxuries for the feast, and they
begged the old people to sit down with
them.
When the dinner was finished. the
/ Admiral struck up an old song one he
used to sing when he was a boy. The
old woman listened with an expression
of sad interest. Then she burst into
tears, g Poor Hobbyr' she said. The
4 next instant the AdmiraTs arms were
round her neck. She saw, indeed her
dear Hobby again.
4 The news quickly spread. and there
was Joy all over the village. And now,
at that village of Niton, they tell the
story of Hobby, and point out the com
| Portable building which the Admiral
bought for his old friends, and which is
still occupied by their descendants.