Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-02-21
Stand by the Ship.

ado, grandmother tell us about the little
drummer-boy whose motto was Stand by
the ship"
e" Grandmother is not used to telling
children stories but, if you will be quiet
she will try" And this is the story she
told us
During one of the fiercest battles fought
in the late rebellion, the colonel of a Mich
igan regiment noticed very small boy act
ing as drummer. The great GOODNESS and
self-possession of the boy rs displayed dur
ing the engagement; his habitual reserve,
so singular in one of his years his orderly
conduct and his fond devotion to his drum
his only companion Except a few well
worn books, over which he was often seen
to pore)--in which he took delight this
had attracted notice, both from the officers
and the men. Colonel BIS curiosity was
aroused, and he desired to know more OF
him. So he ordered that the boy should be
sent to his tent. The little fellow came.
his drum on his breast and the sticks in his
hands. He paused before the Colonel and
made his best military salute. lie was a
nobe-ooking boy, the sun-burnt tint of his
face in good keeping with his dark, crisp
curls; but strangely out of keeping with the
rounded cheeks and dimpled chin was the
look of gravity and thoughtfulness, alto
gether at variance with his years. He was
boy prematurely taught the self-reliance
of a man. A strange thrill went through
Colonel BIS heart as the boy stood before
him.
"'Come forward, my boy, wish to talk
to you :" the boy stepped forward, showing
no surprise under the novel position he
found himself. ! was very much pleased
with your conduct yesterday said the Col
onel from the fact you are so young and
small for your position
"Thank you, Colonel | only did my
duty am big enough for that if | am
small, replied the noble little fellow.
"Were You not very much frightened
when the battle commenced? 2 questioned
Colonel b.
g" might have been if had let myself
think about it but kept my mind on my
drum. | went in to play for the men it
was that | volunteered for. So ! said to
myself, Don't trouble yourself about what
don't concern you, Jack, but do your duty,
and Stand by the ship"
Why, that is sailors talk said the
Colonel
It's very good saying if it is, sir,
said Jack.
"'I see you understand the meaning of it.
| Let that rule guide you through life, and
you will gain the respect of all good men,
&" Father Jack told me that, when he
taught me to say, Stand by the ship"
ne was your lather
NO. slr-i never hau iather' out ne
Drought me up
oIrahSe' salu tne Ooiohel' inuslng
how much | feel like befriending this
child. Tell me your story, Jack
VIII tel IT, SIR as near as can IKE
father JACK tolu IL 10 me-
MY mother salled on merchant snip
from France 10 Baltimore where my iathel
was lVlng' great storm arose. the shil
was driven on rocks where sue spit and all
hands mad 10 take 10 the boats. lhey gave
themselves up Ior iost put al last shil
oo9hd lor LVerpooi took tnem up; lhey
had lost everything but the clothes they had
on put the captain was very KIND TO them
ne gave theih claIheS ana some money MY
ino1her refused 10 remain AT Liverpool
though she was quite SICK Tor she wanted
10 Seo 10 inns country SO pauiy so she tooR
passage IN ahother merchant snip Just gong
TO New York She was the only woman on
board She grew worse soon after the ship
sailed the sailors TOOK care OF her' fathel
Jack was sailor on inns snip. and he pltec
| ~ -. y "'"N''i "''' - ~ 80 ~ NV"iN ~
her. But the doctor SAID from the first she
could not i've through nj he was right
Tor she died when was eight days old, No
body knew what to do with me-they al
said ! would dle-all but Father Jack; hi
asked the doctor to give me to him. The
doctor said, let HIM try his hand, If he has
a mind to-lts no use, the little one Will be
sure TO go overheard after IT'S mother Inc
doctor was wrong. was brought safe to
New York lie tired to md my iather but
did not know how TO do 1t, for no one knew
my mothers name lie lett me with fam
NY III New York when he went to sea again
but he never could md out anything about
my mother, although ne inquired in Liver
pool and elsewhere. The last time he went
TO sea ] was nine years old, and he gave me
present on my birthday, the day before he
sailed 1t was the last-he never camt
back again-he died OF ship fever. He did
a good part by me; he had put me to q
isee school at seven years OF age, and Away
paid my board in advance for year Sc
you see, sir, had fair start to help my
self, which did right of. went errand.
for gentlemen, and swept out offices and
stores. No one liked to begin with me- fol
they all thought me 700 small, but they soor
saw got along well enough went t.
schooi Jusu Ihe SAINT uIu my lops before
nine IN the morning and alter school let on
had plenty OF time Tor work and to Learn
my lessons, wouldn't give up my school
Tor Father Jack told me to have all ! could
and some day would md my father, anc
ne must not ma me poor Ignorant boy
lie SAID must be able TO look him IN thu
lace and say to nm without falsehood
rather, may be poor ana rough, but
| have ALWAYS Dpen honest how and ~ stnOf
by the SHIP so you needn't be ashamed
oil me: SIR, l could never forget thos'
words lie cropped ms cap, drum ant
sticks he barred his little arm and shovel
the hgure OF snip IN iull sail with TIM
motto beneath IT,, pricked into the skin
stand by the snip,
When ! was twelve, lett New forl
ana came 10 Detroit WIN a gentleman II
the book business was there two year
when the war broke out one day lev