Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1878-08-08
New York Dispatch.


Soldier--A Life of Exciting Adj
venture.
New Yoik Dispatch.
There arrived in this city on
Thursday last, from New Orleans,
q travel worn man, whose story,
if true, would rival many of the
fctions of the present day.
Mr.. Hugh J. Barker is a man
of about forty-fve years Of age.
Twenty years ago he was a farm.
er in the upper part of this State,
but desire to see something Of
life tempted him to put few dol
lars in MS pocket and come to
New York. He stopped at ho-
tel in the lower part of the city,
not being able to go to a first class
one. Here be soon made the ac-
quaintance of number of sea-
faring men.
Of course drinking was the or
der of the day with these wor-
thies, and Mr.. Barker was soon
indicted into the mysteries Of
cock tails, smashes and punches.
His little frolic went on for sever
al days, and when Mr.. Barker
came to himself he was in the
cabin of the bark Seafoam, hull
down from New York. He had
been "shanghaied," and by the
very men he considered his friends,
and who had helped him to spend
his last dollar on shore.
He was man of too much
sense to fight against fate that
held him in lis iron grip, aud,
though smarting under the great
wrong that had been done him,
be turned to work with the rest
of the men, and lent hand wher
ever it was needed. The bark
was bound for Sydney, New South
Wales, where, after long and te-
dious passage, she arrived,
Barker, as soon as the chance
offered itself, obtained some shore
money from the Captain, permls-
sion for halt a day of, and then
deserted the bark, as be says
he had the extreme pleasure FIVE
days later, while looking from his
hiding place, ofseeing the Sealoam
bend her sails and put to sea.
Barker wandered around in
Sydney for over year, and dlller'
ent parts of that strange conntry,
but with poor success pecunlarlly.
Returning to Sydney, he had the
good fortune to be able to do a
good turn one day for the mate Of
the ship Sultan, bound for Lon
don.
In the course of their few days
acquaintance, Barker related his
history to his new friend, who at
once promised to see what be could
do for him. The next day Bar
ker became one of the crew of the
Sultan, with the understanding
that if he was competent and de-
sired to stick by the ship after she
arrived in London, he should he
made second mate. The yonng
sailor proved an excellent hand,
and the Captain and officers did
what they could to aid him III be-
coming proficient in bis business
When the Sultan reached Lon.
don Barker was go well pleased
with the officers aud the treatmen
that he had received that he con
cluded to stay by the ship, and
true to bis promise, the Captain
made him second mate. The Sui
tan, some weeks later, sailed 10
. Canton, China, for cargo OF tea
and while lying there, a revolution
broke out. The young New York
er saw q chance Tor tame an
wealth, and for the second tim
he became deserter from tn
ship, but this time with discredi
!; to himself.
Barker joined the Imperial pal
ty, and by his bravery and tao
i he soon won a position in the U
/ lestial army that gave him all tn
d fame that he desired, and pr
u money in his purse.
" After three years in the Emp
D ror's service Barker resigned, an
10 in connection with some Amer
ST cans purchased a trading vesse
ie and in two years be found himseI
i comparatively rich man. Sc
le ing out his interest IN the trad
] ] he went to San Francisco, whe
% be opened q saloon, but be didd
klok l-Dr =