The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1878-08-10
OUR CABIN-BOY.

$50 this is our new cabin-bOv of
whom | have heard so much talk" was
my inward exclamation as | walked on
deck and perceived dark-eyed, hand
some youth leaning against the railing,
and gazing with a sad, distracted air
into the foamy waves, which with no
little fury were Justify dashing against
the vessel. His hat pushed back from
his forehead gave a good view of his
face, which, though full of youthful
beauty and vigor, nevertheless bore
traces of recent suffering, such as can
only be traced to some sudden catas-
trophe which changes our whole life
with its painful memories, and over
shadows our future like funeral pail.
L had heard so many remarks made
about him by the crew, who, resenting
his aversion to coming in contact with
them, We're continually tormenting him
with their rough jokes. Hearing of
his sturdy refusal to taste anything in
toXicating, | followed the impulse of
curiosity and attempted to draw him
into conversation with me.
"Allen," | asked, as he turned and
saw me approach him, "have you ever
been on the ocean before?"
ono, SIR" he replied, respectfully
touching his hat.
''You will find this very rough and
dangerous life them | continued.
GO shall endeavor to use myself to it
as others have done before; besides
he continued earnestly, "as long as |
know that God dwells on land and sea,
| can safely face any hardships or dan
ger which | may have to encounter"
These words, uttered with such an
air of innocence and trust in supreme
power, surprised me; felt that though
young, his mind was far superior to his
surroundings, and | could readily per-
ceiye the reason of his dislike to the
rest of the crew who We're neither re-
fined nor very intelligent. Not being
entirely satisfied with my inquiries |
continued:
"Why did you not accept the liquor
which some of the sailors so good
naturally offered you?'
because" he replied, almost We
hemently, 81 hate the smell of rum; |
despise the beverage, and can only
look with disgust upon those who favor
it; and" here his voice quivered with
suppressed emotion, "because | have
felt the curse of its baneful effect"
He said no more, but abruptly turned
and left me. My interest and sympa-
thy were sufficiently roused however,
and | resolved to watch over and pro-
tect him as far as possible from the I'M
governable temper of the Captain, and
the rough jokes of the sailors.
A few days after my conversation
with Allen, was standing beside the
Captain in deep conversation, when
suddenly rough shouts of laughter
broke upon our ears; we proceeded to
the fore part of the deck, and found a
group of sailors trying their utmost to
persuade Allen to partake of their grog
which was regularly dealt out to them.
Laugh on, heard Aliens firm voice
reply, "but I'll never taste a drop.
You ought to be ashamed to drink it
yourself, much less offer it to another"
A second shout of laughter greeted this
reply, and one of the sailors, embold-
ened by the Captains presence, whom
they all knew was great drinker him
self, approached the boy, and with a
"Now, my hearty, git ready to keel
roight over on your beam end, whin
we've swallowed this" was about to
pour the liquor down his throat, when,
quick as flash, Allen seized the bottle
and flung it far overheard.
While the sailors looked respectfully
after the sinking bottle, Allen looked
pale but composed at Capt. Harden,
whose face was scarlet with suppressed
rage; l trembled for the boys fate;
suddenly Capt. Harden's voice broke
the momentary silence: Hoist that
fellow aloft into the main top-sail III
teach him better than to waste my prop
ertyr'
Two sailors approached him to exc.
cute the order, but Allen quietly waved
them back, and, with forced smile OF
composure on his pale face, said in a
low, respectful tone: "Tl 90 myself,
Captain, and l hope you will pardon
me; meant no offense."
| saw his hand tremble a little as he
took hold OF the rigging, for to one UNI
used to sea life it is extremely danger
GUS to climb to that height; for mo-
ment he hestated, as he seemed to
measure the distance, but he quickly
recovered himself and proceeded slowly
and carefully. "Fasterr' cried the
L. L