Delaware Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1843-1874, 1874-06-01
OBEYlNG URDEES.

The "oldest inhabItanp perfectly remember.
the Widow Trotter, who used, many years ago
to occupy small, wooden house down in Han
over street, In somewhat close proximity to Sal
ulation Alley. Well, this widow was blessed
with q son, who, like Goldsmith, and many
other men distinguished in after life, was the
Ounce of Ills class Numerous were the fog.
gings bis stupidity brought upon him, and the
road TO knowledge was with him truly ga vale
Of tears"
Que day he came home as usual with red
eyes and hands.
"Oh, you blockhead !" screamed his mother
she was bit OF virago, Mrs. Trotter was--
"you We been gettin another liakin, know :"
"Oh, yes," replied young Mr.. Trotter 'rhal
is one Nv the reg lar exercises-lickin' me. Attel
I've licked 1rotter,' says the master, III
hear the 'rthinetic class. But, mother, ia
change the subject as the criminal said when h,.
found the judge was getting personal, IS There
any arrant can do for you ?"
"Yes,' grumbled the widow, "0nly you're So
eternal slow about anything you undertake so
get pitcher Of water, and be four years about
1t, will ye ?"
Bob Trotter took the pitcher aud wended bis
way TO the pump but lie hadn't got far WHEN
he encountered his friend, Joe Buffer, the mate
of u vessel, issuing from his house, and dragging
heavy sea chest along after him.
"Come, Bob, bear hand and help me down
to Long wharf with this"
"Well, so would" said Bob, "only you see
mother has sent me after pitcher of waler.n
"What do you care for that Come along"
"Well," said Bob, "frst let me hide the pitch
er where can find 1t again"
With these words he slowed his earthenware
under flight of stone steps, and accompanied
his friend aboard ship. The pilot was urging
the captain to cast of and take advantage OF
the wind and tide, but the captain was awaiting
the arrival of boy who had shipped the dAy
before, and wishing no good h his eyes for the
delay lie had occasioned.
AT last he turuei 10 Bob and said
"What do you say, youngster, TO shipping
with me? I'll treat you well and give yeu5Gn
dollars a month"; = =.
Should ;t be glad to CO." said Bob. hesi'atigEE
ly "but my mother--"
''She'll be glad to ge: rid of you. Conc, wi
you go ?"
"I hain't got no clothes"
"Here's chest full. The other chap was just
your size, and they'll fit you to a t.
am GO"
''Cast off that line there ~ shouted the cap
tain, and the ship fell Oft it'll the tide and was
soon standing down the bay, with fair wind
and every stitch of canvass set. She was.
bound for the Northwest via Canton, and back
again, which was then called the double voyage
and usually occupied about four years.
In the meanwhile, the non-appearance Of Bob
seriously alarmed his mother. A night passed,
and the town-crier was called into requsiton for
week, when she gave him up, had note read
for her in The meeting, and went into mourn
ing.
Just four years after the above occurrence,
the ship got back to port, and Bob and his friend
were paid of. The wages of the widows son
amounted to just four hundred and eighty dol.
lars, and he found, on squaring his accounts
with the captain, that his advances had alnoun'
ted to the odd tens, and four hundred dollars
clear were the fruits Of his cruise.
As he walked in the direction OF his molher'4
house, in company with Joe, he scanned, with
a curious eye, the houses, the shops, and the
people that he passed. Nothing appeated
changed the same signs indicated an unchang-
Ing hospitality oil the part OF the same land-
lords the same loafers were standing at TIE
same corners seemed as if he had been gone
only day. With the old sights and sounds,
Bobs old feelings revived, and he almost dread
ed to see, debouching from some slley,a detach-
ment Of boys, sent by his ancient enemy, The
10 know why he had been playing
truant, and to carry him back, to receive the
customary waloping.
When he was quite near home, he said
"Joe, l wonder Il anybody's found that
pitcher ?"
He stopped down, thrust his arm under tho !
stone steps, and withdrew the identical piece of
aarthenware he had deposited there just four
years ago. Having rinsed aud filled it at the
pump, he walked into his mothel's house aud
found her seated In her accustomed arm chair
She looked at him for minute, recoguiz I'd him,
and exclaimed
"Why, Bob, where haps you beenY What
hare you been doing ?"