The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1878-11-20
ONLY JONES.
A Military Story.

The officer Of Her Majesty's Twenty
fourth and Eighty-fourth infantry were
sitting around their .mess-table in Cast
.Ietown, the capital Of the Isle of Man,
one evening more than thirty years ago
that Is, all of them except one; but then
that one was only Jones. Nobody mind
ed Jones: even his reculiarities had be-
gun to be an old subject for "chatfing,"
and, indeed, he had paid such small at
tention to their chatting that they had
come to find it little pleasure, and after
some weeks Of discomfort Lieutenant
Jones had been allowed to choose his own
pleasures without much interference.
These were not extravaganza favorite
book, long walk in all kinds of weather
was faorable. He would not shoot; he
said it hurt his feelings. He would not
gamble; he said it hurt his conscienence;
and he did not care to tlirt or visit the
bellies of the capitol; he said it hurt his
affections. Once Captain de Reuzy lisp
ingly wondered if it was possible to "hurt
his honor" and Jones calmly answered
that tit was not possible for Captain de
Reuzy to do So" Indeed. Jones con-
stantly violated all the gentlemen rules
of proper behavior, but for some reason
or other no one brought him to account
for it. 1t was easier to shrug their
shoulder and call him "queer," or say lit
was only JONES'" or even quietly to assert
his Cowardice. 49, .a.@ ....} ii Gfa
One evening Colonel Underwood was
discussing hunting party for the next
day. Jones walked into the room, and
was Immediately accosted:
"Something new, lieutenant. I find
there are pleanty of hares on the island,
and we mean to give puss run to-mor-
row. I have heard you are good rider.
VIII you join us?" 49,.
"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 young Ensign Powell.
Il thank the colonel for his courtesy,
but can see no good reason for accept
ing it. am very sure my horse would
not approve of it; and I am sure the hare
will not like it; and I am not good
rider; therefore I should not enjoy it.''
'You need not be afraid" said the
colonel, rather sneeringly; 1.-The country
Is quite open, and these low Manx walls
are easily taken" -....s...
"Excuse me, colonel, I'm afraid. If
should be hurt, it would cause my mo-
ther and sisters very great alarm and
anxiety, l am very much afraid Of do
ing .llis.
What was to be done with a man go
'obtuse regarding conyentionalities, and
who boldly asserted his own cowardice?
The colonel turned away, half contempt
uously, and Ensign Powell took Jones'
place. :.......
The morning proved to be very bad
one, with the prospect Of rising storm
and as the party gathered in the barracks
yard, Jones said earnestly to his colonel ::
II am afraid, sir, you will meet with a
severe Storm 49,. y. ..... .a.s.5.
II think so, lieutenant; but we prom
Used to dine at Gwynne Hall, and we
shall get that far at any rate"
So they rode rather gloomilv away in
the rain. Jones attended to the military
duties assigned to him, and then, about
noen, walked seward. 1t was hard wHrk
by this time 10 keep his footing on the
quay, but amid the binding spray and
mist he saw quite crowd Of nen going
rapidly toward the great shelving Sc,lr-
let Rock, q mile beyond the town. He
stopped an old sailor, and asked:
lis anything wrongy'
"A little steamer, sir, off Calf Of Man;
she is driving this way an, infect, I fear
she will be on ia rocks afore ta-night."
Jones stood still q moment, and then
followed the crowd as fast as the storm
would let him. When he joined them
7they were gathered on the summit Of a
huge cliff watching the doomed craft
she was now within sight, and it was
evident that her seamen had lost all con.
:trol OF her. She must ere long be flung
by the waves upon the jagged and fright:
'iul rocks toward which she was driving
In the lull of the wind not only the
booming of the minute-gun, but also the
shouts of the imperilled crew, could be
heard. "-'.-,7
"What can be done9" said Jones to in
old man, whose face betrayed the strong.
est emotion.
"Nothing, sir. / am afraid d If she'c
.smanagcd to rount ia rocks she would have
gone to pieces on ia sand. and there ar
plenty OF men who would have riskel
their life to save life. But how are ",
TO reach them from this heights" !.
"How tar are we above water2" .4s-*
ms rock goes down like wall fort,
'What depth of water at the foot?"
sVThirtV foot or m,,ra :,