The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1874-01-05
TlIE C0oK,s R0Y.

Our ship was lying in Gibraltar har-
Dor. The day had been remarkably
pleasant one, and hundreds OF people
from tho shore had been on board to
examine our specimen OF Uncle Snm's
naval architecture. After the ham.
mocks had been "piped down." knot
oi old oceans hardy sons collected be.
meath the topgallant forecastle, which
place was their regular " forum" Old
Ben. Miller, our second boatswain's
mate, had been quite sober and
thoughtful during the latter part Of the
afternoon and upon being asked the
occasion OF it, he said that he had seen
something that brought to his mind II
thrilling circumstance Of by.gone days
We knew there was yarn on the tapis;
and collecting about the old mate, we
awaited its delivery. He knocked the
ashes from his pipe, put It in his pocket,
and then charging his mouth with Il
generous piece OF tobacco, he COM
inenced; and this is the yarn he
spun:-
at is now fifteen years ago that
was q foremast hand on board tho old
ship Hunter She was from New
York, and bound to.India. A man by
the name OF Adam Warren, who was one
Of the owners, had taken passage, and
with him were his wife and daughter.
The latter was one OF the sweetest,
prettiest littlo creatures ever saw,
only about twelve years old, and as
blithe as n lark. They called her
Judith. Oh, it would have dons your
souls good to have seen her skipping
about the deck l-now hiding in q coil
of rigging; now pulling at some rope,
and then clapping her little iimpie;i
hands as she repeated the orders 81 the
captain. Her merry laugh raI through
the ship like the notes Of Our own native
robin, and the san seemed to
envy her brigl.aess. Her father
was one of your business men
"a n eht down dollar hunter,
WHO'D .fin't seem 10 care for much else
Thea the purchase and salc ofliis cargo !;
r.dd as long rs his child was well and
happy, he seemed to take but little
motico Of her; though, | must say, he
was q kind:hearted man when you could
bring II out. Judith's mother was one
Of your city aristocrucy-a proud, over.
bearing woman, who seemed to think
there was nobody Of any consequence
only herself-and tho smell Of tar made
her sick. When she was on deck, she
always kept smelling-bottle at her
nose, and 1 tell you the truth when l
tell you that her nose was fairly cock
billed by her eternal snuiling at that
same bottle, J
Eve had a boy on board named
Luke Winship, only fourteen years old,
who had been put into the galley to
help the cook, He was noble little
fellow, though We hNdn't then exactly
found ii out. ie- .se
zone evening, after we had entered
tho southern tropics, Luke was sitting
upon q spar that was lashed against the
galley, and Judith Warren came along
and s,tt down by his side.
rs tfsWhat mikes you leok 80 sober,
Luke?' she asked, In a silyery tone oi
real kindness. i-s,it
az was thinking, Miss Judith re-
turned the cooks boy and as he spoke,
he eazed into the face Of the girl as
though she was one whom he could al
most worship. aef..
WtDon't call me miss. / don't like
IL, Luke. But tell me what you were
thinking about. II ever have troubles,
IL always does me good totell them to
somebody. Now tell me yours
"tIt couldn't interest you,, Judith,
to hear the story Of q poor boy like
me- ,,n, -,
cried, clapping her hands together WIN
much earnestness. You were thinking
Of your father and mothnr.'
"fAlas j nave ilone.' u li
Ono parents?'
atNoi
"'Then you we're thinking OF youi
brothers and sisters
"'I have no relations on earth, ~
dithr AS Luke said this, he drew hi
greasy sleeve across his eyes TO wip'
away The drops that were springtnt
forth.
"The little girl gased into Lukc'
face with look Of pity and sorrow thu
seemed TO make her tender heart bleed
"iT'ell me your story. Come, do,
she said and she laid her hand 81
afTectionately upon the boys arm, ant
looked so kindly at him, that he begai
TO weep again.