The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1874-01-28
BOB, THE CABIN BOY.

GWeeu Guc CipCdiH Inu UiiS o@t'oAS'
and in this instance, as IS not
usually the case with such in
stances at sea, the sailors were to
blame. The captain was q man
of warm, tender feelings, and had
been SO yielding TO chose under
him, as to quite lose his authority,
and his efforts TO reassert it were
resisted by all on board.
The captain though long sea-
faring man, had spirit that could
be easily crushed. The mutinous
conduct Of the sailors SO preyed
upon his spirits as to produce in
somnia, and thus to make him
very nervous, and at last very ill,
go that be was confined to his
room.
None Of the sailors visited him.
No one thought of speaking a
kind word to the captain but poor
little Bob.
Bob was the cabin boy. He had
a pious mother, whose precepts
ne had Dever forgotten amid the
hardships of the sea. He had
promised her that he would read
the Bible daily promise which
he had faithfully fulfilled. His Bi-
bic had taught him lessons that the
other sailors little understood. 1t
had taught him to be gentle, low
ing and forgiving; to be helpful
in misfortune, a burden bearer for
those in need.
So Bob went to the captains
door and knocked. The captain
was changed man now; he had
become irritable, and SO despond-
ent that he felt that life had no.
thing more for him, and he did
not wish to be disturbed.
"Who's there ?" asked he, in an
impatient tone.
"Bob, sir. Can do any thing
for you?"
$50 about your work, boy; and
don't come troubling me"
Bob stole away more softly than
he came; but be still pitied the
captain, and cherished no angry
feelings. he prayed for him that
night, as be lay down to sleep,
and still hoped in some way to
prove comfort to him.
The next day, Bob resolved to
try again. He saw that the cap
tain did not appear on deck, and
again he went and knocked at the
door.
Who's there 2''
"Bob, sir. CanI do anything
for you to-day, captain ?''
"No; go away"
Bob was pleased to notice that
there was something Of hesitancy
and indecision in the captain s
answer this time, certain mellow
ness and regretfulness in his tone,
and he resolved to try again.
Meantime the captains heart
grew warm toward the little fel-
low. He thought how differently
the boy had acted from the un-
feeling sailors, who had not once
inquired for him all the time of his
illness; and be resolved that, if ne
came again, he would let him in.
When Bob came the next day,
the captain said:
"Comc in"
Bob walked very softly, and
said very feelingly:
"Please, sir, can I do any thing
for you? Shall I make your bed,
or get you a cup of coffee ?. Ill do
it in a minute"
"Some coffee, if you are will
ling"
Away run Bob, and in few
minutes everything was ready,
coffee and hot toast, which he
brought on q tray to the captains
bedside.
Bob always carried with him a
Bible in his pocket-the gift of
his mother-and the captains eye
discovered the book.
"What book is that? said he.
"My mother gave it to me-" said
Bob.
Can you read it p
"Oh yes; and | would like to
read it to you"
"Well, after 1 have finished my
coffee, l would like to hear you, my
boy"
Bob took away the tray, and
then sat down on q box near the
captains bed. He read the 18th,
18th and 18th chapters of the gos-
pei of St. John. The captain lis
tened very attentively.
BIB was about leaving the room,
in the act Of closing the door,
"Bob ?"