The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1878-04-04
ONLY JONES.

The officers of her Majesty's Twenty
fourth and Eighty fourth infantry were
sitting around their mess table, in
Castletown, 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
minded Jones: even his peculiarities had
begun to be an old subject for "chaf-
fng," and, indeed, he had paid such
small attention to their /" chatting" that
they had come to find it little pleasure,
and, after some weeks Of discomfort,
Lieut.. Jones had been allowed to choose
his own pleasures without much inter
ference.
These were not extravagant. A favor
ite book, a long walk in all kinds of
weather. and a sail when the weather
WAS favorable. He would not drink
he said it hurt his health; he would not
sloot-le said it hurt his feelings; he
would not gamble-he said it hurt his
conscience; and he did not care to fiirt
or visit the bellies of the capitalize said
it hurt his affections. Once Capt. De
Reuzy lispirgly wondered whether it
was possible TO "hurt his hon T." and
Jones calmly answered that sit was not
possible for Capt. De Reuzy to do So"
Indeed, Jones constantly violated all
these gentlemen's ideas of proper be-
haviOr, but for some reason or other, no
one brought him to account for it. 1t
WAS easier to shrug their shoulders and
call him "queer," Or say, 6 it was only
JONES'" Or even TO quietly assert his
oowardice.
One evening Col. Underwood was dis
c1ssing hunting party for the next
day. Jones walked into the room and
WAS Immediately accosted:
I" Something new, Lieutenant. / find
there are plenty of hares OF this island.
and we mean TO give puss run to NOR
row. [ have heard you are q good rider;
viii you join us?'
"You must excuse me, Colonel; such
thing is neither in the way of duty,
nor my pleasure"
lyon forget the horror the Colonel
does you, Jores,'' said young Ensigh
Powell.
81 thank the Colonel for his courtesy,
but can see no good reason for accept
ing it. ] am sure my horse will not ap-
prove of it; and am sure the hare will
not like it; and I ON not good rider;
therefore 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"
Excuse me, Colonel. I am afraid.
If / should be hurt it would cause my
mother and sisters very great alarm and
anxiety. / am very much afraid of do
ing this
What was to be done with a man SO
obtuse regarding conventionalties, and
who boldly asserted his cowardice? The
Colonel turned away, half contemptu-
ously, and Ensign Powell took Jones
place.
The morning proved to be very bad
one, with the prospect of a rising
storm; and, as the party gathered in
the barracks yard, Jones said earnestly
to his Colonel:
81 am afraid, sir, you will meet with
severe storm"
Il think Sc, Lieutenant, but we
promised 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 mill
tary duties assigned. him, and then,
about noon, walked seaward. It was
hard work by this time to keep his foot
ing on the narrow quay !; but amid the
binding spray and mist he saw quite q
crowd of men going rapidly toward the
great shelving Scarlet rocks, mile be-
yond the Town. He stopped an old
sailor and asked:
Is anything wrong p
GA little steamer, sir, off the Calf of
Man; she IS driving this way; an indeed
1 fear she will be on ia rocks afors ia
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 q
huge cliff, watching the doomed craft.
She was now within sight, and it was
evident that her seamen had almost lost
ell control of her. She must, ere long.
be flung by the waves upon the jagged
and frightful rocks toward which she
was driving In the lulls of the wind,
not only the booming Of the minute
gun, but also the shouts OF the imper-
lied crew could be heard.
"What can be done o. ssid Jones to
an old mn, whose face betrayed the
strongest emotion.
Nothing, sir, I a n afrait. If she'd
managed TO rount ia rocks, she would
have gone to pieces on ia sand, and
there are plenty of men who would
have riskes life to save life. But how
are we to reach them from this height T.
"How far are We above water"
''This rock goes down like wall
forty fathoms, SIR.
"What depth of water at the foot 2
9Th rty feet or more"
GOOD. Have you plenty OF light,
strong rope7 r.
"Much as you want, sir; but let me
tell you, sir, you can't live three min.
utes down there ia first wave will
throw you On ia rocks. and dash you to
pieces. Plenty OF rs would put You
down, sir; but you can't swim if you
| get down"
"Do you know, old man, what sur
swimming is? I have dived through
| the surf at Nukuheva."
"God bless you, sir! 1 thought nc
! white man could do that same"