Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1878-06-27

him for a minute as if he'd see clean
through him: and then he faced round
to the men, lookin' blackcr then
ever. Reeve rope to the yard'' he
sings out loud enough to raise tho dead !;
smart, now!''
"The men all looked ut each other as
to say: What on earth's a-comin' nowl
But aboard ship, O. course, when you're
told to do thing, you've got to do it; so
the rope was rove in a iitfy.
"Now, my lad," says the mate, in a hard,
square kind o voice, that made every
word see m like fittin' stone into Il
wall, lyon see that'ere rope! Well, Illgivo
you ten minutes to confess Che took out
his watch and held it in his hand); land
if you don't tell the truth afore the times
up, II hang you like dog"
g. The crew all stared at one another
rs if they couldn't believe their ears Il
didn't believe mine, can tell
ye), and then a low growl went among
EN-, like wild beast a-wakin' out of q
nap.
"Siltnce there shouts the mate, in a
voice like the roar of nor easter. Stand
by TO run ior'ard and with his own hands
he put tie moose around the boys neck
The little fellow never flinched bit but
there were some among the sailors dig
strong chaps as could fcllcd OK as
shook like leaves in the wind. AS for
me, bethought ny self O my little curly
| haired lad at home, and how it 'ud be if
ny one was to 80 for to hang him; and
t the very thought ont TIM lied all over
and my fingers clinchcd themselves as if
they was gripnin' somebody's throat.
clutcbed hold O. hahdspike, and held
| it behind my back all ready.
"Tom,' whispers the Chief engineer to
me. "d'yc think he really means to do
itE
IL don't know says through my
teeth; 'but If he does, lie shall go first, if
/ swing for it"
I've been in many an ugly scrape in
my time: but never felt 'acf as bad as
did then. Every minute seemed as long
as dozen, and the tick O. the mates
watch rey'l pricked my ears like pin.
The men were very quiet, but there was a
precious ugly look on some O. their faces,
and noticed that three or four on 'em
KEEP edgin' for'a1A to where the mate was
standin in Il way that meant mischief
AS for me, I'd made up mind that it he
did go for to hang the poor little chap,
I'd kill him on the spot and take my
chance.
Slight minutcs:' says the mate, his
great deep voice breakin' in upon the
Silence like the toll O. funeral bell. II
you've got anythin! to confess, my lad,
you'd best out with it, for yer times
nearly up"
I've told you the TRUTH" answers the
boy, very pale, but as firm as ever. May
l say my prayers, please?"
1.-The mate nodded, and down goes the
poor little chap on his knees with that
internal rope about his neck all the time)
and puts up his poor little hands to pray
| couldn't make out what he said (fact
my head was in such WI irl that hard
~ knoved my own name), but Ill be
bound, God heard it, every word. Then
he ups on his feet again and puts bis
hands behind him, and says to the mate
quite quietly, 4 IA ready:'
And then, sir, the mates hard, grim
face broke up all to once, like I've seed
the ice in the Baltic. lie snatched up the
boy in his arms, and kissed him, and bust
outa-cryin' like a child and I think
there warn't one Of US as didn't dc III
same. l know did. for one.
God bless you, my boy" says he
smoothin' the child heir with his great
F.: hard hand. you're a true Englishman
every inch Of you you wouldn't tell ;
lie to save your life! Well, if SO be as
yer fathers cast ye off, III be yer fathe,
from this day forth; and if | ever forget
you, then may God forget me-
And lie kept his word, too. When
we got to Halifax, he found out the lite
un's aunt, and gave her a lump O money
to make him comfortable; and now he
goes to see tie youngester every voyage
as regular az can be: and to see the pal,
on EN- togcther--th little chap so FOND
O. him, and not bearin' him a bit Of
! grudge--it's bout as pretty u sight as
ever l seed. And now, sir, akin ye1
parding, it's time for me to be goin' be
low, so LII inst wish yer goodnight.