Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1878-11-05
ONLY JON e S.
Portland TrGBJcript.

Ihe officers OF Her Malesty'S Twenty
fourth and Eighty-fourth infantry were
sitting round their mess-table In Castle
town, tho capital of the Isle OF Man, one
evening more than thirty years ago-tha:
is. sll o.! them except one; but then that
one WAS only Jones. Nobody minded
Jones; even his peculiarities had begun
to be an old subject Tor "chafiins," and,
indeed, he had paid such small attention
to their chatting that they had come 10
find ]. little pleasure, aud after SOME
weeks Of discomfort. Lieutenant Jones
had been allowed 10 choose his own
pleasures without much interference.
These were not exIrhvagant-s favoriie
book, a long walk in ell kinds Of weather,
and sail when the weather WAS favorn-
bic. He wOuld not drink he said i! hur,
bis health; he would not shoot-he said
II hurt his feelings ; he would not gamble
he said il hurt bis conscience; and be did
not care TO flirt or visit the bellies OF the
capitalize said it hur. his affections.
Once Captain de Reuzy lispipglY woD-
dered il II was possible TO hurt his
honor" and Jones calmly answered ths.
"ii was not possible Tor Captain dc ReuSy
to do So" Indeed. Jones constantly vio-
lated all the genllemen's ideas OF proper
behavior, but for some reason or other no
one brought him to account for 1t. II
was easier TO shrug their shoulders and
call him "quoor" or say lit was only
Jones'" or even quietly 10 assert bis
cowardicc.
One evening Colonel Underwood was
discussing hunting party for the next
day. Jones walked into the room and
Was immediately accos.ed
Something new, Lieutenant. | find
there are plenty of hares on the island,
and we mean to give puss q run to-mor-
row. have heard you was good rider.
Will you join us'"
"You must excuse me, Colonel; such
thing is neither in my way OF duty nor
my pleasure"
You forget tho honor the Colonel
does you. Jones'" says young Ensign
Powell.
II thank the Colonel for his courtesy
but can see no good reason Tor accept
ing it. am very sure my horse would
not approve of it; and am sure the hare
will not like it; and / am not good
rider; therefore, ! should not enjoy IT,
"You need not DO afraid" said the
Colonel, rather sneeringly; the country
Is quite open, and these low Msux wslit
arc easily taken"
Excuse me, Colonel. Pm afraid. Il
| should be hurt 1t would cause my moth
er and sisters very great alarm and anx.
iety. l am very much afraid of doing
this"
What was 10 be done with man &C
obtuse regarding conventionslities. and
who boldly asserted his own cowardioe
The Colonel turned away, half con.
temptuously, and Ensign Powell tool
Jones's place.
The morning proved 10 be very bad
one with the proepect OF rising storm
ap1 ac tho patt - s,s,harod in fha he rra oh -
yard, Jones said earnestly 10 his Colonel
81 am afraid, sir, you will meet with q
severe storm"
81 think so, Lieutenant; but We prom
ised 10 dine at Gwynne Hall. and We shall
get that far at any rate p
So they rode rather gloomily away in
the rain. Jones attended to the military
duties assigned to him, and then, about
noon, walked seaward. 1t was hard
work by this time to keep his footing on
the quay, but amid the binding spray
and mist he saw quite crowd OF mer
going rapidly toward the great shelving
Scarlet Rock, q mile beyond the town,
He stopped an old sailor and asked:
"Is anything wrongp"
"a little steamer, sir, off Calf of Man
she is driving this way an infect, tear
she will be on ia rocks afore ts-Dight."
Jones stood still moment, and then
followed the crowd as fast rs the storm
would let him. When he joined Them
they we're gathered on the summit of q
huge cliff watching the doomed craft