Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1878-07-17
aMistellanu.
Only Jones.

Only Jones.
The officers of Her Majesty's Twent,
fourth and Eighty-fourth infantry wei
sitting round their stable in Ca til
town. the capital of the Isle of Man, or
evening more than thirty years ago-tha
is all Of them except one; but then, tha
one WAS only Jones. Nobody minde
Jones even his peculiarities hid begun /
he an old subject for " chafling," and il
deed, he had paid such ANAL attention t
their chatting that they had come to fin
little pleasure, and after some weeks {
discomfort Lieutenant Jones had been a
lowed to choose his own pleasures withou
much Interference. These were not eXIray
arant-a filvorite book, long walk in a
LiudS of weather, and sail when tn
weather was favorable. He would nc
drlnk-he said it hurt his health; he woul
not shuot-he said it hurt his feelings; h
would not gamble-he said it hurt hi
conscience; and he did not care to flrt o
visit the bellies of the capitalize said i
hurt his affections. Once Captain de Reuzy
lispingly wondered if it was possible t.
hurt his honor" and Jones calmly an
swered that 1t was not possible for Cap
tain de- Rruzy to do So" Indeed, Jone
constantly violated all these gentlemen.
IDEAS of proper behavior. but for some
reason or other no one brought him to ac
count for it. 1t was easier to shrug theil
shoulders and call him "queer." or SLY
"it was only Jones'" or even TO quietly
assert his cowardice.
One evening Colonel Underwood was
discussing Il hunting party for the mex
Immediately accosted;
Something new, Lieutenant. l tind
there are plenty of hares on the island
and we mean TO give puss u run to-mor
row. have heard that you are good
ridr. VIII you join us9
" You must excuse me, Colonel; such n
thing is neither in my way of duty mol
my pleasure
/" You forget the honor the Colonel does
YOU Jones, said young Ensign Powell.
Il thank the Colonel for his coul tesy
but see no good reason for accepting it.
lam sure my horse will not approve of it
and am sure the hare will not like it;
and Am not Il good rider; therefore,
should not enjoy it,"
You need not be afraid" said the Col
Oncl, rather sneeringly; -" the country is
qliJe open, and these low Maux walls n
easily taken"
Excuse me. Colonel, l am afraid. If
should be hurt it would cause my moth
Grand sisters very great alarm and anx
icty. am very much afraid of doing this
What was TO be done with II man so OBJ
mse regarding convenlionaities. and who
buddy asserted his cowardice? The Colo.
mel turned away, half contemptuously, and
1t sign Powell took Jones' place.
The morning proved to be a very bad
one, with the prospect Of Il rising storm
and us the party gathered in the barrack,
yard, Jones said earnestly to his Colonel
" | am afraid, sir, YOU will meet with II
severe stolm."
" | think so, Lieutenant; but we prom
isel to dine at Gwyne Hall, and we shall
get that far at any rate"
SO they rode rather loomily 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 men going
rapidly toward the great shelving Scarlet
Rock, mile beyond the town. He stop
ped ar Old sailor and asked:
" Is anything wrong?"
4" A little steamer, sir, off Calf Of Man
she is driving this way; AN, infect, | feaI
She will be on til rocks aiore tanight.
Jones stood still moment, and then
followed the crowd Of men going rapidly
toward the rock us the storm would let him
When he joined them they were gathered
on the summit of atuge cliff walching the
doomed craft. She was now within sight
and 1t WAS evident that her seamen had los
all control Of her. She must ere long b,
# ng by the waves upon the jagged and
frigh full rocks toward which she WAS driv
ing In the lull of the wind, not only the
booming of the minute gun. but also the
shouts of the imperlled crew, could be
heard.
"What can be done!" said Jones to NJ
old man whose face betrayed the strongest
emotion,
Nothing, sir, | am afraid. If she'G
managed to rOunt Ia rocks, SHE would have
goue TO pieces on tn sand, aud thero az,
plenty of men who would have rlskec
Their life to save life. Blu, how are we to
reach them from this height? "
How far aIe we above water?
This ock goes down like wall forty
ia.homs, sir,
"Whal depth of water at the foot? "
Thirty iett OF more"
Good Have you plenty of light, lons
rope?'
"Murh rs you want, sir; but let me tel
You sir, YOU can live ten minutes down
there tt first wave will throw you on Il
rocks and dash you to pieces. Plenty o
U, would put you down. sir, but you can
swim when you get down"
Do you know, old man, what sur
swimming is? have dived through tht
sni at Nukuhcva."
While tnis conversation was going OF
Jones was diveslng himself of all super
haous clothing and cutting out the sleeve
oI his heavy pea jacket with his pocket
knife. This done, he passed some light
Srong rope through them. the mel
wa ched hlm with eager interest, and see
ing their inquisltive look, he said
The thick sleeves will prevent liz
rop cutting my body, you see,
Ay, ay, SIR; | sve now what you arr
doing"
Now, men, have only one request
Give me plenty Of rope rs last us | draw
on YOU. When | get on board-you know
how 10 make Il cradle, | suppoScP
"Ay, ay, sir, but how are you going [
reach the wa, er?
" am gong to plunge down. | hav
diycd from The main yard OF tue Ajax be
ioie tins. 1t WAS as nigh leap"
lie passed double coil ot the rop
aDuund his waist, examined it thoroughl'
toS'o that there was plenty to Start WIZ
and saying, " Now, friends. stand out [
Jhe way and let me have II clear start,
Raised his bare head one moment towar
Heaven, and, taking short run, leape
as from the spring board Of a punge-batl
Such IN anxious crowd rs followed tha
leap, Great numbers, in spite OF lha
dangerous wind, lay flat ON their breast
and walched him. He struck The water Il
LANCET ..aYttI ~