Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1872-02-14
Th Jack.Knrfe

Who win. Nic victory Racer aud
Thc J1ck-KnIic.
Ashp ea driven on. Of her COURSE and
.a.tagay w.ai1 sight of an unknown coast.
A on board uelt hayoesclped in the boats,
though rather crowded, but one Of the pas-
ueors, on their refusing to admit his trunk
In any boat remained in the ship to unfasten
it, and get out his pocket-book, which con-
hiued notes to the amount Of twenty thou
sand dollars This he thought would not de-
tain him a moment, and he requested them to
to wait but in the hurry and confusion Of
the moment, he could not Immediately recol-
ect what he had done with the key Of the
trunk
Having found it at last, and secured his
money, he perceived to his dismay that every
boat was out of sight, while the ship was fast
falling apart, and suddenly he found himself
in the sea. Catching at some article that was
floating by, he clung to it almost unconscious
y, not relaxing bis hold when his senses
were failing him. Fortunately he was float
ed to land and when he revived found him
self lying on the beach.
As soon as his strength returned, he as
cended an eminence, but could see no sign Of
the wreck or Of the boats, or of any human
creature But as he was leaning dospond-
ingly against tree, he was suddenly startled
by being clapped on the shoulder, while a
voice at his ear exclaimed, " What cheer,
my hearty ?" Turning round he gladly re-
coguzed one of the crew and inquired what
had become Of the rest.
Why, | don't know, but l suppose they
are safe by this time but have seen moth
ing Of them"
" Were you not with them in the boats ?"
No, | stayed on board to the last"
And so did l. though | was not aware
of your being on board. | hope you sue
cceded as well as did in saving your prop
erty."
had nothing to save but my jack.knife
and plug Of tobacco-both safe in my trows-
ers pocket
Then why did YOU not think of saving
yourself at once 2'
No, | could not think of leaving the ship
so long as the planks held together She
couldn't say | was not true to her to the last.
But come, comrade, let US see what kind Of
quarters we have got into"
/ They Travelled some distance without any
signs Of habitation. Necessity quickening
their ingenuity, they were successful occasion,
ally in catching fish, oysters or birds, in all
which the sailors jack-knife proved of inval.
liable service, in preparing the proper snares
and weapons, in opening the oysters, cutting
up or cleaning the fish or birds, and above all
n striking a light to make fire for the pur.
| 80. ..s.,1-a-rr H.
attacked by wild beast, the sailor, by prompt
use Of his jack-kniie, saved their lives.
They had lived in this manner for somt
months when, arriving at the opposite side o.
the island, they found it inhabited by savages
who conducted them to their king. The gen
t.onan, anxious 20 couciIiate his copper-skin
ned majesty. produced o five hundred dolaI
blukuoto, and politely offered it for his accep
tauce. The King examined it with some Gu
riosity, applied it to his nose and tongue anC
being satisfied that il was not good to ca
returned it with some contempt.
The gentleman soon found that his twent,
thousand dollars could not procure him th,
smallest consideration. The sailor, on tn
contrary, in few days became personag
Of great importance from the many service
he was enabled to render with his jack-knife
among a people where iron was unknown
They literally supplied all his wants, and hi
rich friend was glad to profit by his bounty
One day, as they were attending the kin
on an eminence overlooking the sea, they des
cried distant sail evidently passing by tn
island. They kindled bonfire and hoiste'
signals, but did not succeed in attracting no
tice.
"lf We only had boat" exclaimed tn
sailor, 81 think We could get within hail
as she does not stand far out, though it
plain she intends to pass without touchin
this way
The gentleman produced his twenty thou
sand dollars, and offered it to the king in ex
change for a canoe but his majesty rejecte,
the roll Of paper, and turned to the sailor wit
a single word-"Knife."
The bargain was instantly closed the jack
knife was received by the king with no les
delight than was experienced by the English
men as they jumped into the canoe By din
Of hard padding, and favorable current the
got within hail, and were taken on board G
the ship, which proved to be an English vess'
homeward bound.
as theJ Valhv Wl'hlu hlSnt oi tne Mhl'
cliffs, the gentleman took the sailor aside, an
handing him two notes, which amounted to
, thousand dollars, said
"You must not refuse to accept this, 70
+ you have done for me more than twenty tim,
as much money could have DONE trust 20
may find these bills, one day or other, as US,
y ful as your ack-knifo has been. hay
learned, by this time that mans wealth
to be measured, not by the extent of his POI
= sessions, but by the use he can make of whi
he possesses