Weekly Trinity journal., 1878-04-13
ONLY JONES.

The officers of her Msjesty's Twenty
fourth and Eighty fourth infantry were
sitting around their mess table, in Cas-
Teton, the capital Of the Isle OF Man, one
evening more than thirty years sgo-that
is, all of them except one but then, that
one was only Jones. Nobody minded
Jones even his particularities had be-
gun to be an old subject for chatting"
and, ndsed, he had paid such small at
tention to their chatting that they had
come to find it little pleasure, and, after
some weeks of comfort, Lieut.. Jones had
been allowed to choose his own pleasures
without much Interference.
These were not extravagant. A favor
ite book, a long walk in all kinds Of
weather, and sail when the weather
was favorable. He would not drink--he
said it hurt his health /; he would not
shoot-he said it hurt his feelings hs
would not gamble-he said Il hurt his
conscience; and he did not care to 0irt
or visit the bellies of the capitalize said
il hurt his affections. Once Capt. De
Reuzy lispingly wondered whether it was
possible to "hurt his honor" and Jones
calmly answered that ait was not posi-.
Bile for Capt. De Reuzy to do So"
Indeed, Jones instantly violated all
these gentlemen's ideas of proper behav-
ior. but, foi 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, ait was only
JONES'" or even to quietly assert his cow
ardice.
One evening Col. Underwood was dis
cussing hunting party for the next day.
Jones walked into the room and was inn
mediateiy accosted
Something now, Lieutenant. l find
there are plenty of hares on this island,
and we mean to give puss a run to-mor.
row. ! have heard you are good rider;
will you join us?''
You must excuse mo, Colonel such
thing Is neither in tho way Of duty, nor
my pleasure"
You forget the horror the Colonel
does you, Jones'" said young Ensign
Powell.
Il thank the Colonsl for his courtesy,
but can sec no good reason for accept
ing it. | am surc my horse will not APP.
prove OF it and | am sure the hare will
not like it and am not good rider {;
therefore should not enjoy it,"
You need not he afraid" said ihe
Colonel, rather sneeringly; "the country
is quite open. and these low Manx walls
are easily taken"
Excuse me, Colonel. am afraid.
II | 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 man so
obtuse regarding conventionalties, and
who boldly asserted his cowardce &? The
Colonel turned away, half contemptuous-
ly, and Ensign Powell took Jones' place
The morning proved to be very bad
one, with the prospect Of n rising storm
aud, as the party gathered in tho bar.
racks yard, Jones said earnestly to hi,
Colonel
i am afraid, sir, you will meet with
a severe Storm
Il think so, Lieutenant, but we prom
ised 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 tho military
duties assigned him, and then, about
noon walked seward II was hard work
by this time to keep his footing on the
narrow quay but amid the binding
spray and mist he saw quite a crowd of
men going RAPIDLY toward the great
shelving Scarlet rocks, mils beyond the
town. lie stopped an old sailor and
asked
" Is anything wrong ?"
A little steamer, sir, off tho Calf of
Man she is driving this way an in
deed / fear she will be on ia rocks afore
Ia night"
Jones stood still 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 a
huge cliff, watching the doomed craft
She was now within sight. and ii was
evident that her seamen had almost lost
all control Of her. She must, era long,
be flung by the waves upon the jagged
and frightful rocks toward which she
was driving. In the iulls Of the wind,
not only the booming of the minute gun,
but also the shouts of the imperiled crew
could be heard.
50" hat can be done ?" said Jonos 10
an old man. whose face betrayed the
strongest emotion.
Nothing, sir, am sfrait. If she'd
managed to rount Ia rocks, she would
have gons to pieces on ia sand, and there
are plenty OF men who would have risket
life to save life. But howare we to reach
them from this height ?"
"How far are we above water :"
"This rock goes down like wall, for
ty fathoms, air."
What depth Of water at the foot ?"
"Thirty feet or more"
Good. Have you plenty Of light,
strong rope?
Much as you want. sir but let me
tell you, sir, you can't live three minutes
down there ta first wave will throw you
on ia rock,, and dash you TO pieces
Plenty Of US would put you down, sir
but you can't swim IL you get down"
Do you know, old man, Whist SURF
l.. Q a. i