Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1879-06-02
Only Jones.

tletown, the capital Of the Isle of Man,
one evening more than thirty years ago,
that is, all of them except one; but
then. that was only Jones. Nobody
minded Jones even his peculiarities had
begun to be an old subject for chatting"
and, indeed, he had paid such small at
tention to their ''chafing" that they had
come to find it little pleasure, and. after
some weeks of discomfort, Lieutenant
Jones had been allowed to choose his
own pleasures without much interference.
These were not extravagant. A favor
ite book, 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; he
would not gamble-he said it hurt his
conscience and he did not care to firt
or visit the bellies of the capitalize said
it hurt his affections. Once Captain De
Reuzy lispingly wondered whether it
was possible to ''hurt his honor" and
Jones calmly answered that sit was not
possible for Captain De Reuzy to do So"
Indeed, Jones constantly violated all
these gentlemen's ideas of proper behav-
ior, but, for some reason or other, no
one brought him to account for 1t. 1t
was easier to shrug their shoulders and
call him "queer" or say ''It was only
Jones" or even to quietly assert his
cowardice.
One evening Colonel Underwood was
discussing hunting party for the next
day. Jones walked into the room and
was Immediately accosted:
Something new, lieutenant. l find
there are plenty of hares on the island,
and We mean to give puss run to-mor-
row. l have heard you are a good rider;
will you join US ?"
"You must excuse me, colonel; such
a thing is neither in the way of duty
nor my pleasure"
"You forget the honor the colonel
does you. JONES'" said young Ensign
Powell.
IL thank the colonel for his courtesy,
but l can see no good reason for accept
ing it; am sure my horse will not ap-
prove of it; and am sure the hare will
not like it; and 1 am not good rider !;
therefore 1 should not enjoy it,
"You need not be afraid" said the
colonel. rather sneeringly; '.the country
is quite open, and these low Manx walls
are easily taken"
Excuse me, colonel. l am afraid.
If | should be hurt, it would cause my
mother and my sisters very much alarm
and anxiety. l am very much afraid of
doing this
What was to be done with a man so
obtuse regarding conventionalities, and
who boldly asserted his cowardice d? 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 a rising storm
and, as the party gathered in the bar
backyard, Jones said earnestly to his
colonel
81 am afraid, sir, you will meet with
severe storm"
81 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 il
the rain. Jones attended to the militia
ry duties assigned him. and then, abou
noon, walked seaward. 1t was hare
; work by this time to keep his footing OF
:: the narrow quay; but amid the binding
spray and mist he saw quite crowd o
men going rapidly toward the grea
o shelving Scarlet rocks, a mile beyon,
e the town. He stopped an old sailor ant
r asked:
: "Is anything wrong? %
"a little steamer, sir, off the Calf Q
. Man; she is driving this way an in
a deed | fear she will be ia rocks afor
a ta-night."
l Jones stood still moment, and the
followed the crowd as fast as the storr
= would let him. When he Joined ther
:, they were gathered on the summit of
e huge cliff, watching the doomed Graf
Il She was now within sight, and it wa
e evident that her seamen had almost los
all control of her. She must, ere Ions
7 be flung by the waves upon the jagge
. and frightful rocks toward which sb
- was driving. In the lulls of the wine
y not only the booming of the minute gur
3 but also the shouts of the imperile
crew could be heard.
, "What can be done ?" said Jones t
;. an old man, whose face BETRAYED tb
e strongest emotion.
d Nothing, sir, | am afraid. If she
l. managed to ront ia rocks, she woul
= gone to pieces on "a sand, and there al
: plenty of men who would have riske
is life to save life. But how are we
1t reach them from this height %
"How far are we above water %
: This rock goes down like a wal