Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1879-07-15
Jack Ballast'S Yarn.

Ny story? Well, don't see why
should not acrstch it down. There's
nothin' to be ashamed OF in it, so far as
I know, and though your regular story
writers mayn't call it romantic" I
think the wind sets in myself, and there
is bit of love in it. too, though you
| would never think was a subject for q
love story to look at me. I'm old
'nough, dye see, to feel safe about the
draft, and brown enough to be Hot
| tentot; and as for f1esh-well, no mat
will be as stout as am, if you live so
long. Besides, that fracas at Gibraltar
didn't improve my looks. I'll tell you
about that before the story is over, |
reckon at present I'd better heave
ahead.
Fat as I am and old as I am, there
was a time when 1 was as slender a
young fellow as ever shipped before the
mast agin bis parents leave. They,
Lord bless 'em, wanted to make a
counter jumper of me, and 7 tried
measuring rags about a year. Then I
could not stand it any longer, and I
jumped the old counter for good, and
cut and went to sea. I'd had banker
in for it good while, and the only
thing ever regretted was the way my
poor mother took it to heart. Wait a
bit; honor bright, there was one other
thing.
There was Jenny Blush, old Blush's
only daughter, and the prettiest girl I
ever set eyes on. Her skin was just as
soft and fair as any baby's. AS for her
hair, I've got BIT up stairs in my old
desk; and though it crossed the ocean
about dozen times, it's SO bright now
you'd take it for gold chain coiled
down under the bit of blue ribbon it's
tied with.
Old Blush was my captain ashore. I
mean to say, he was the head of the big
dry goods store where they first set me
to measuring rags, and Jenny used to
come every day after ribbons and calico
and the like; and, Lord love ye! don't
find fault with women looking after
such things, though it didn't seem a
mans place to sell 'em; she looked
mighty fine when she put 'em on, did
Jenny. Father and old Blush were fast
friends, and when they found out that I
was sweet on Jenny, they put their
heads together and resolved to sanction
the match. I was to be taken into part
nership, dye see, and was to step into
1.-THE rag business when the old man
stepped out. "Dry goods, wholesale and
retail, was on the sign, but I always
called 'em rags.
Well, Jenny and were fond of each
other, and knew it already; SO, the old
folks being agreeable, we saw q good
deal of each other Sundays and even
ings, to say nothing of the errands she
made to the store. And used to wish
could make up my mind to do it and
stay ashore, but could not, if I died
for it. I heard the waves beating about
my bed in dreams. I hated the cloth
yard and the scissors so they made me
ill, and one night told Jenny so. She
cried bit, but by and by she owned she
didn't hate me for it, and we talked of
the time when should be captain.
and she could make every voyage with
me, and have cabin like a parlor to
herself.
Then she let me kiss her. P'raps she
kissed me back; and cut off the vel
low curl I told you of with pair of
scissors, the only pleasant job I ever
had with the counfounded things in all
my life. .
That night ! ran away, and though 1
blubbered like baby when I passed
mothers door. you couldn't have coaxed
me back again. What q man wants to
W uo Will Ue anu there are men meant
from their cradles for the water as sartin
as fish are.
| got q letter from old nanny that
cut me. up. and / don't deny but I
knew she'd come round, and / didn't
guess the worst-how shouldI? When
it came to me that Q man who sold rags
was better than sailor it took my
breath away. This was when I first
Want homo dive aaa0 Mor,voo L.
scolded and cried, and kissed me but
Augustus pitched into me ferociousIv Iv'
Says they: you've disgraced your fam
i 1--WE have been respectable, genteel
have common sailor for brother.D I
caught it-a regular gale-and father
put in his oar regarding djsobedience.