The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1875-03-04


The captain proceeded direct to the
"Lying-in Hospital" where ou stating
his case, and, what was more weighty
argument, offering a handsome sum Of
money. he managed to get respectable
nurse, able and willing to nourish Billy
Never did men receive into their boat
a person with more satisfaction than they
did the jolly-looking blue-eyed Irish
nurse, whom the captain, almost nervous
with excitement, handed in; never be-
fore did the oars of the gig bend and flash
and roll with such quick and regular
rhythm; and never was more sincere
happiness felt on board aship, than when
the crew of the CLYDE swung the nurse on
board. Her hands were seized with a
grasp which made her cry, "Och, don't
i've a killing my bit fingers, but let me to
the little darint." Soon she had Billy
in her arms, and though the orders were
given to heave anchor with II will, yet
here was such an anxiety tC hear the re-
pert from the cabin, that it Was not until
the captain came up and said, draws
like the big pumpl Heave away now,
lads!" that they really set about work.
Then with cheer and a bound, the
Yindlass was manned, and round they
went to the tune of "Ho ro, Sally or
adapting to its refrain impromptu lines
fitted T. the occasion, such as sailors de-
light to indulge in. One rough voice
would chime in "Billy is my darling, my
darling" etc; improvised by the next
singer into Buttons and his darling, his
darling;" and then the united chorus of
"Ho 70, my Sally o. Heave it round, my
Sally or as with more rapid tramp they
moved round the windlass.
1t was quite true Billy had taken to
Bridget. And Bridget declared it was
the "blessed Virgin" alone could have
preserved the child alive, but that even
the Virgin herself could not be expected
to have kept him alive to Glasgow with
out her coming on board. Pat, her hus-
band, had always declared that her
"childer throve like young pOtaturs" etc.
And so the little woman went on talking.
after having made Billy comfortable, and
blessed him over and over again as a sea
wonder.
All this time the good ship, under a
steady breeze, was bravely or'ing her
way along the Irish coast onward to the
Clyde.
The captain had not neglected to bring
on board large supply of fresh provisions
of all kinds required. He served them
out literally, along with such an allow
ance of grog as made the crew anticipate
with gIee the dinner which he had
ordered to be prepared for them.
After the dinner was over, one Of the
crew was deputed to thank the captain,
and to ask, as a great favor, to allow Billy
to come on deck, as "they wished to have
a dance in honor Of the young bo'sun."
The captain, whose nature seemed to
have become almost too soft and tender,
reminded them how cold the weather
had become; that Decemberin the north
was not like December in the south; and
that if he let Billy up, it could not only
be for few minutes. But as the sun
was shining, they might have their fun
as soon as Billy could be got ready. 1t
was busy halfhour with Mrs. Bridget
MDermot to get out of her trunk all the
bits of ornament she had crammed into
it, along with her new cap, etc.
At length she managed somehow to
make Billy quite young dandy, the
captain having ordered large supply of
things for the use of the child, from one
of the best shops in the city. And when
she sailed forth from the companion
door, she was followed by the steward
and Peter grinning from ear to ear. Billy
in her arms was dressed 80 handsome"
with fine flowing white shawl about
him. and, as for herself, she was like the
nurse of lady, smiling blandly and
looking kindly frcm her fine Irish blue
eyes upon her little charge, quite unable
to meet the gaze of all the Jacks who
were drawn up in line to receive her.
1t was really, as the captain said, "a sight
for sore eyes"-his own beinga little red
and watery, as he turned his back for a
moment from the group.
"Now for it, Wallace |" cried one of the
crew, and Wallace scraped up sort of
reel, and away went the tars heel and
toe, until joining hands, they wheeled
round Billy and his nurse, to the evident
delight of the latter. The dance ended
in mingled burst oflaughter and cheers,
with "Hoorah for Billyp "Hoorah for the
Captain" "Hoorah for the pretty nurse!"
which made Mrs. Bridget, chuckling
with delight, dive down, assisted by the
steward, to her nursery below.
In less than week the voyage ended
in safety, and Billy and Mrs. Bridget
were comfortably houseu with Mrs. Wau-
chope. All the dead mothers things
were carefully locked up until further
orders. The desk was sent as directed,
and its receipt Immediately acknowl.
edged. The lawyer informed Captain
Wauchope that the property bequeathed
to the lady was of little value, ana her
boys title to it more than doubtful; that
no provision was made for him; and that
from letters in the desk, addressed by
the father to the mother, it was evident
that he would have nothing to do with
him, as he was selfish and dissipated, had
deserted his wife, and was living with
another person; that in these circum
stances the lawyer hardly knew what
was to be done. AS the boy had no re-
lations except very distant ones, he sug
gested a charity school for him, but leil
it to Captain Wauchope to decide, as
also TO settle to whom he should return
the desk to be kept for the boy. AS the
captain finished the reading of the letter
he only gave smile, which expressed
/ % &c, n,I 90 l. - tol,