West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1879-03-01
THE RED JACKET.

1t was queer scene that our crew
presented, "a we caroused when our
schooner lay careened in the cool
ground-floor of Hacienda de Ia Rosaca
which we had turned into public.house
for the nonce.
The haciendero was 80 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.
Fiercely mustached Gaspardo Chaco
took his turn at spinning a yarn He
had been drinking deep, and, glass in
hand, he began the following, in a mys-
terious tone, which he deepened into
doleful strain as he progressed:
Joseph Bolton, | see you" said the
old school-teacher TO one pupil of
thirteen whom he detected linking the
nose of sleeping school-mate.
Joseph Bolton, though admonished bv
the teacher, was soon afterward guilty
of blowing paper wadding through q
quill, point blank at the head of the
school monitor, and it did not so happen
at this time that Providence favored
those who sported the heaviest artillery.
On the contrary, the teacher pounced
upon the young cannonier, dragged him
from his seat, and Joseph was soon
separs ted from his brethren, and placed
In durance vile, and | must say that
was no great punishment He was put
up into close eockloft, where there
were sundry old pamphlets, letters,
manuscripts; he was completely shell
tered from the eyes of the master, and
could amuse himself in any wav he
thought proper.
He opened the scuttle without
difficulty, and let in the pleasant beams
of summer afternoon, while the
aperture was so 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.
The school-house stood on the brow of
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
rigging, on the yards, or engaged in
scraping down the tOp-masts and top
gallants.
The masts of 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 quarters, as the teacher
was about to dismiss the school.
When he came down into the school
room, he was observed TO be very pale,
and he trembled excessively. can
we'll remember how he Iooked-tbe
Pallor of his cheeks, and the wildness in
his eyes.
Some of the boys said he was scared .
and one or two called him a coward.
When Joseph arrived near mans
estate, he took fancy 20 90 10 sea. He
made voyage TO India in ship belong
ing TO firm much celebrated i'm those
days
Our hero appears to have been fol-
lowed by his usual bad fortune-tbat Of
giving ofiense TO his superiors. They
had not yet reached the Cape of Good
Hope when Joseph was condemned To be
togged before all hands He had given
mortal ofiense TO the irst mate of the
chip, who insisted that il would be inn
possible for him 10 preserve disciplino
among the crew if young Bolton was
not punished.
Bolton was rather q favorite Of the
captain, but he could not resist the
impetuous vengeance Of the mate. and
he gave orders accordingly that the
youth should be seized up i'm the rigging
The crew were assembled to witnes,
the punishment, the younger portion
looking on with curiosity and the old
sailors hanging back and scowling al
the preparations.
Everything being prepared, the mate
drew near, hourishing the scourpe in
ms hand, when the youth begged ieav,
70 whisper something i'm his private ear
It's no use" returned the officer
it's too late TO beg now you've got I,
He drew back, and was about 10 civ,
the first blow, when Bolton said aloud
If you won't hear me privately
shall speak before all these people. +"
The mate paused, and said
What If you do? Whatthen ?''
You wore red jacket once" erie,
the youth.
ihe mate approached Bolton, and tn
latter whispered few words in his ear
me me- mate became deadly pale,
What does he say9 demanded tn
captain, who had appeared to be singr
iariy interested by the turn which affair
It's only some Of his nonsense.
returned the mate, "but I suppose