The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1879-10-08
MISCELLANY.
TIE SGUTTLED SNIP.

In June, 1860, the brig Polly Deems, Cap
tain job Payson, sailed from Boston for a
port in Turkey, laden with cotton goods. She
was a new, taut little vessel, with plenty of
storage room, and had accommodations for
two passengers.
The crew consisted of the captain, mate,
four sailors, black cook and a cabin boy.
Captain Payson was conscientious, just
man, who treated his crew neither to jokes nor
grog, but who lodged and fed them better
than would five out of six of the masters
sailing from New England ports.
g. Old Job, " the mate, who was from the
West, used to say he was ga hard man, but
one you could tie to, in fair weather or foul. !"
His crew vert picked men, and with the
exception of Dan, the cabin boy, had been
with him for years. This was Dams first voy-
age and he felt that captain and crew eyed
him with suspicion. He was on probation,
and he felt that not grain of favor would be
allowed him.
Dan was a farm-boy, who knew nothing
his mothers church. Sbpboard the sea,
Europe, Turkey, here were bewildering ideas
TO burst at once on his narrow experience,
scarcely wider than That of the house dog
sleeping at the barn-door.
Keep your eyes open and your hands
ready, to see the work of The moment and to
do it before the moment is tser' was his
mothers last advice. g For the rest, Daniel,
ask the Lord's help. You'll find him just as
near you in Turkey as in your own home
here.''
Dan, in the hurry and excitement of get
ting under way, and of his new Duties re-
peated this advice over and over to himself
1t seemed to keep his mother near him. Sew
eral days after, while he was carrying the
dinner dishes into the cabin, he overheard the
mate say
g That boy is clipper enough for a raw
hand, captain P"
'sAye, . grunted Captain Payson "turns
out better than expected. took him for
his mothers sake. Widow. Old friend of
mine.n
Rather gentlemanly fellow, this passen-
ger?' ventured the mate, finding Captain
Payson in an unusually tallsatiye mood.
9 He is gentleman, siri One Of the Far
nails of Springfield. III health. Doctor pre-
scribed long sea voyage. gentleman and
a scholar, Mr.. Briggs y
Dan, while waiting on the table at dinner,
could not help noticing the passenger. Some
of these days, y thoughtthe true-born Yankee
lad, |, too, shall be a gentleman and a
scholar"
DR.. Farnall was tall, lean man, carefully
dressed, with sandy hair and mustache, but
with eyebrows and lashes almost white. His
eyes, loo, were large aud pale. They never
met the eye of any other man fairly. Once,
when Dan happened to look at him, be turn
ed quickly away, and he glanced furtiveiy and
suspiciously at the boy, at times, during the
rest of the meal.
g Don't like him, =" thought Dan. " Looks
sneaking and tricky, aud not like gentle
man."
But Dan, of course, kept his opinions to
himself. Fortunately the lad was not sea-
sick. He learned his new duties quickly
was alert, neat, and always good -natured. In
the course Of one week, Captain Payson had
twice grumbled approval.
Dan worked harder than ever, and between
times, for recreation, when the passenger was
on deck he watched him.
Doctor Farnall talked fiueutfy and brilliant.
ly, as even Dams uneultnred mind could per.
ceise. But his talk was leveled far above the
headG of either the captain OF Mr.. Briggs
who listened with half comprehending admi.
ration.
But there were days when the doctor wa
absolutely silent, ate nothing, and paced thu
deck wrapped in profound gloom, his ligh
eyes darting suspicious Chances from side t.
side.
On one of these days, Dan, going down jus
at twilight to find something he had left il
his bunk, saw tan figure, that he could no
quite recognize, with candle cropping abou
among the chests of the sailors.
"Who's there ?" he shouted
The man came quickly toward him. TIL
candle threw yellow glare over his set fac
and staring eyes. It was the passenger. II
caught Dan by the sleeve.
:" Here, boy-what do they call your"
"Dan."
You're surprised to see me here, Dan?