Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-11-17
ONLY JONES.
"A Military story.

"A Military story.
The off Ger Of Her Majesty's Twenty
fourth and Eighty fourth infantry were
sitting around their mess-table in Cast
letown, 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 peculiarities had be-
gun to be al old subject for chatting, .
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 tavollte
book, long walk in all kinds of weather
was faorable. He would not shoot; be
said it hurt his feelings. He would not
gamble; he said it hurt his conscienence;
and he did not care to hirt or visit the
bellies of the capitol; he said it hurt his
affections Once Captain de Reuzy lisp
ingIy wondered if it was possible to ''hurt
his honor" and Jones calmly answered
that sit was not possible for Captain de
Reuzy to do So" Indeed, Jones con-
stantly violated all the gentlemen ruIea
of proper behavior, but for some reason
or other no one brought him to account
for it. It was easier to shrug their
shoulder and call him "queer," or say ut
was only Jones,'' or even quietly to assert
his cowardice.
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 a run to-mor-
row. have heard you are good rider.
VIII you join usa''
"You must excuse me, colonel; such
thing is neither in my way OF duty nor
my pleasure"
you forget the honor the colonel does
you, JONES'" says young Ensign Powell.
II thank the colonel for his courtesy,
but can see no good reason for accept
ing it. I am very sure my horse would
not approve of it; and am sure the hare
will not like it; and am not a good
rider; therefore I should not enjoy it,
:'You need not. be afraid" said the
colonel, rather sneeringly; "the country
is quite open, and these low Manx walls
are easily taken"
Excuse me, colonel, I'm afraid. IF I
should be hurt, it would cause my mo-
ther and sisters very great alarm and
anxiety, I am very much afraid of do
ing this.
What was to be done with man so
obtuse regarding conventionalities, and
who boldly asserted his own cowardice?
The colonel turned away, half contempt
uously, and Ensign Powell took Jones
place.
The morning proved to DC 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
severe storm"
II think so, lieutenant; but We prom
iscd to dine at Gwynne Hall, and we
shall get that far at any rate"
So they rode rather gloomily away in
the rain. Jones attended to the military
duties assigned to him, and then, about
noen, walked seward. 1t was hard work
by this time to keep his footing On the
quay, but amid the binding spray and
mist he saw quite a crowd ofmen going
rapidly toward the grrat shelving Scnr-
let Rock, Il mile beyond the town. He
stopped an old sailor, and asked:
us anything wrong?'
ga little steamer, sir, off Cali of Man:
she is driving this way an, infect, fear
she will be on ta rocks afore ta-night."
Jones stood still a moment, and then
followed the crowd as fast as the storm
would let him. When he joined them
they were gathered on the summit Of
huge cliff watching the doomed craft.
She was now within SIGHT, and it was
evident that her seamen had lost all con-
troll Of her. She must ere long be flung
by the waves upon the jagged and fright
full 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.
"What can be done?' said Jones to an
old man, whose face betrayed the strong
est emotion.
nothing, sir. am afraid. If she'd
managed to rount ia rocks she would have
gone to pieces on Co 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 height?'
"How far are we above water9'
"This rock goes down like q wall forty
fathoms, sir"
what depth Of water at the foot2"
"Thirty foot OF more"
"Good. Have you plenty of light, long
rope?"
'.Much as you wanr, sir; out let me tell
you, sir, yon can't live ten minutes down
there! Ia first wave will throw you on
ia rocks and dash you to pieces. Plenty
of US would put you down, sir, but you
can't swim if you get down"