Fayette County herald. [volume] (Washington [Washington Court House], Fayette County, O. [Ohio]) 1860-1???, 1879-03-06
THE RED JACKET.

1t was a queer scene that our crew pre-
sented, as we caroused, when our schooner
lay careened, in the cool ground-f1oor of
Hacienda de la Rosaca, which he had
turned into public house for the nonce.
The haciendro was so overjoyed at our
having run our eighty slaves safe into
Cuban waters, that he gave us the key of
the cellars, and registering time had we
Fferce1y- Gaspardo Chaco
took his turn at spinning yarn. He had
been drinking deep, and, glass in hand.
he began the following, in a mysterious
tone, which he deepened into doleful
strain as he progressed:
'EJoseph Bolton, 1 see you,'' said the old
school-teacher to one pupil of thirteen
whom he detected mixing the nose of a
sleeping school-mate.
Joseph Bolton, though admonished by
the teacher, was soon afterward guilty of
blowing paper wadding through a quill,
point blank at the head of the school mon
ftor, and it did not so happen at this time
that Providence favored those who sport
ed the heaviest artillery. On the contrary,
the teacher pounced upon the young can
AAOhASA9 llIul 1IOIu Ills SOdGS anu
Joseph was soon separated from his breth-
rem, and placed in durance vile, I must
say that was no great punishment. He
was put up into a close cockloft, where
there were sundry old pamphlets, letters,
manuscripts; he was completely sheltered
from the eyes of the master, and could
amuse himself in any way he thought
proper.
He opened the scuttle without difficulty
and let in the pleasant beams of sum-
ner afternoon, while the aperture was 50
low that when he stood upright his head
and shoulders were above the roof.
Joseph amused himself by rolling little
paper balls down the slated roof, for a
while, and then he paused to examine the
various objects which came within range
of his vision. =.
a The schOol-house stood on the brow of a
hill, and the view from the open scuttle
was extensive. The top-masts of vessels
lying about the wharves about Bristol
Harbor-for there were no steam ferries
then-were distinctly visible.
Sailors could be seen at work on the rig
ging, on the yards, or engaged inseraping
down the top-masts and top-gaIlants.
The masts of a large brig, which seemed
very near, engaged his attention, but he
had not looked at them long before he was
summoned to descend from his lofty quar-
ters, as the teacher was about to dismiss
the school.
i When he come down into the school
room, he was observed to be very pale,
and he trembled excessively. I can we'll
remember how he looked-the pallor OF
his cheeks, and the wildness in his eyes,
Some of the boys said he was scared
and one or two called him coward.
When Joseph arrived near mans estate
he took fancy to go to sea. He made q
voyage to India in ship belonging to a
firm much celebrated in those days.
Our hero appears to have been followed
by his usual5bad fortune-that of giving
offense toihis superiors. They had not yet
reached the Cape of Good Hope when Jo-
seph was condemned to be fogged before
all hands. He had giving mortal offense
to the first mate of the ship, who insisted
that it would be impossible for him tc
: preserve discipline among the crew il
. r JOuAS A1OAGOA WcSS lOb DunlS1Ous
Bolton was rather favorite of the cap
tain, but he could not resist the impetu
GUS vengeance of the mate, and he gavt
orders accordingly that the youth should
be seized up in the rigging.
The crew were assembled to witness the
punishment, the younger portion looking
on with curiosity, and the old sailors
hanging back and scowling at the p-epar
! ations.
: Everything being prepared, the mate
drew near, f1ourishing the scourge in hi!
hand, when the youth begged leave tx
whisper something in his private ear.
? stIt's no use." returned the officer; sit
too late to beg now you've gotto take it,
He drew back, and was about to Civ,
z the first blow, when Bolton said aloud:
ssIf you won'thear me privately, shal
speak before all these people.'
The mate paused, and said:
: 'tWhat if you do? What then?'
) ''You wore a red jacket once,'' crieC
! the youth.
: The mate approached Bolton, and tn
. latter whispered a few words in his ear
The mate became deadly pale.
u ''What does he sayP'' demanded tn
e captain, who had appeared to be singu
: larIy interested by the turn which affair
: had taken.
s SITS only some of his nonsense" re
T turned the mate, ''but 1 suppose mus
) let him off this time, as he has made a
explanation"
Q 'EWelI, well-what explanation g'' de
: manded the. captain.
s'He says that when he saueed me,,i
the morning watch, he mistook me 70
Ben Lowell; and now I recollect that b
e did call me, FBen,' though Twas so angr
y that it had slipped my memory
E. The old tars did not accept this explal
IS alton, and when Joseph met them at SUI
9 per they asked him whether the mate ha
s. reported his words correctly.
TO The youth colored, thrust out his low'
N lip, and ended by lifting his tin-cup
Is his countenance.
Of No other reply could be got out of hin
ou From that time forward it was observe
IN that the first mate treated young Bolto
ne with much kindness. He seemed to ha'
m forgotten entirely that the youth had 70
IL merly offended him, and that they ow,
TO each other grudge.
* How long this would have continu
Is: it is impossible to say, had not Boltc
been lost overheard in a storm off tl
: Cape.
There seemed to be something singul
mt about the manner of Bottoms death.
The mate had come to the forecast
IL and summoned all hands at midnight.
''The watch is Called" said Bolto
springing from his hammock, and haste