Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-10-26
NO. 254.
Gales and Sketfhes.
ONLY JONES.
An ENGLISH STORY.

The officers of Her Majestv's Twenty
fourth and Eighty-fourth infantry were
sitting around their mess-table in Castle
town. the capital of the Isle of Man. one
evening. more than thirty years ago
tha, is, all of them except one; but then
that one was only Jones. Nobody mind
ed Jones ; even his pecuiarities had be-
gun to he an old subject for "chaffing,"
and indeed. he had paid such small atten-
tion 10 their chatting that they had come
to find il little pleasure. and after some
weeks of discomfort. Lieutenant Jones
had been allowed to choose his own
pleasures without much interference.
These were not extravagant-a favorite
book long walk in all kinds of weather
| and sail when the weather was tavora-
BILE He would not drink-he said IL
would hurt his health he would not shoot
he said it hurt bfs feelings; he would
not gamble-he said it hurt his con-
science; and he did not care to flirt or vis-
it the bellies of the capitalize said It hurt
his affections. Once Captain de ReuZy
lispingly wondered if 1t was possible to
"burt his honor" and Jones calmly ans
wered that sit was not possible for Cap
tain de Reuzy to do So" Indeed Jones
constantly violated all these gentlemen's
ideasl OF proper behavior, but for some
reason or other, no one brought him to
account for it. 1t was easier to shrug
their shoulders and call him queer or say
sit was only Jones'" or even to quietly
assert his cowardice.
One evening Colonel Underwood was
discussing hunting party for the next
day. Jones walked into the room and
was Immediately accosted:
''Somethng new, Lieutenant l fird
there are plenty of hares on the island.
and we mean to give puss run tO-mor-
row, have heard YOU are a good rider.
Will You join rs ?"
"You must excuse me, Colonel; such a
thing is neither In my way of duty nor
my pleasure.
You forget the honor the Colonel does
you, Jones, says the young Ensign Pow
ell.
81 thank the Colonel for his courtesy,
but can see no good reason for accept
ing it. am sure my horse will not ap-
prove of it; and am sure the hare will
not like it and I'm not good rider there
fore, | should not enjoy it,
"lou need not he afraid" said the
Colonel rather sneeringly; 1.-The country
is quite open, and these low Manx walls
are easily taken"
Excuse me, Colonel, I'm afraid. I'll
should be hurt it would cause my mother
and sisters very great alarm and anxiety.
| am very much afraid of doing this"
What was to be done with man 50 OBJ
tuse regarding conventionalities, and who
boldly asserted his cowardicep The
Colonel turned away half contemptuously.
and Ensign Powell took Jones' place.
Ln IoI
one, with the prospect of rising storm.
and as the party gathered in the barracks
yard, Jones said earnestly to his Colo
mel:
81 am afraid, sir, you will meet with
a severe storm"
81 think so. Lieutenant but we prOms-
ed to dine at Gwynne Hall. and we
shall get that far"
So they rode rather gloonily away in
the rain. Jones attended to the military
duties assigned him, and then, about
noon, walked seaward. 1t was hard
work by this time to keep his footing on
the quay, but amid the binding spray
going toward the great shelving. Scar
let Rock, a mile beyond the town. He
stopped an old sailor and asked
"Is anything wrongp"
"A little steamer, sir, off Calf of Man
she is driving this way; an. infect, fear
she will be on ia rocks afore ta-night."
Jones stood moment and then followed
the crowd as fast as the storm would let
him. When he joined them they were
gathered on the smmit of huge cliff,
watching the doomed craft. She was now
within sight. and it was evident that her
seamen had lost all control of her.
She must ere long be flung by the
waves upon the jagged and frightful rocks
towards which she was drifting. In the
lull of the wind, not only the booming of
the minute gun, but also the shouts of the
imperiled crew. could be heard.
"What can be done ?" said Jones to an
old man whose face betrayed the strong
est emotion.
Nothing, sir, | am afraid. If she'd
manage to rount Ia rocks, she would have
gone to pieces on ia sand, and there are
plenty of men who would have risked
their life to save life. But how
are we to reach them from this heightp pr
"How far are we above water ?"
This rock goes does down like wall
forty fathoms, sir"
what depth of water at the footp"
"Thirv foot or more"
Good Have you plenty of light, long
rope?'
much as you want, sir; but let me tell
you. sir. you can't live ten minutes down
there ia first wave will throw you Ia rocks
and dash you to pieces. Plento of us
would put you down, sir. but you can't
swim if you get down.
do you know, old man, what surf
swimming is ? have dived through the
at surf Nukuheva."
God bless you sir ! thought no white
man could do the same"
While this conversation was going on,
Jones was dvesting himself of all super
huous clothing and cutting out the sleeves
of his heavy pea-iacket with his knife.
This done, he passed some light rope
through them. The men watched him
with eager interest. and seeing their in-
quisitive look, he said:
The thick sleeves will prevent the role
l.NI.