The Douglas independent. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 187?-1885, 1880-10-30
A Y0UNG HERO.


In June 1860 the brig Polly Deems,
Captain Job Payson, sailed from Boston
for port of Turkey, laden with cotton
goods. She was new, taut little vessel.
with plenty of storage room, and had ac-
commodations for two passengers.
The crew consisted of the captain, one
mate, four sailors, a black cook and
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 did five out of six of the
masters sailing from New England ports
those days.
"Old Job" the, mate, who was from
the West, used to say she was hard
man, but ! one you could tie to in fair
weather or in foul"
His crew were picked men, and with
the exception of Dan, the cabin boy, had
been with. him for years. This was Dan's
first voyage, and he felt that captain and
crew both eyed him with suspicion. He
was on probation, and he felt that not a
grain of favor would be allowed him in
any error.
Dan was farm boy, and knew nothing
of the world beyond the village in which
was MS ulOtnef cnurcA.
keep your eyes open and your hands
ready to see the work of the moment,
and to do it before the moment is over, .,
was his mothers last advice. s.For the
rest, Daniel, ask the Lords help. You'll
find him just as near you in Turkey as in
your own home.
Dan, in the hurry and excitement of
getting under way, and of his new duties
.AnI H. Il A.,
himself. 1t seemed to keep his mother
near him.
Several days out while he was carrying
the dinner dishes into the cabin he
heard the mate say:
.'That boy is clipper enough for raw
hand, captain"
"Aye," said Captain Payson, turns out
better than / expected. took him for
his mothers sake. Widow. Old friend
of mine
Rather gentlemanly fellow, this pas
senger," yentured the mate, finding the
Captain in an unusually talkatiye mood,
to-day.
''He is gentleman, sir; one of the
Farnalls, of Springfield. Ill health.
Doctor prescribed long sea voyage for
hIm. A gentleman and scholar, Mr..
Briggs"
Dan, while waiting on the table at din
ner, could not help noticing the passen-
ger.
"Some of these days." thought the
true born Yankee lad, Il. too, shall be a
gentleman and scholar"
Doctor Farnalls was q tall, lean man,
carefully dressed, with sandy hair and
mustache, but with eyebrows and lashes
almost white. His eyes, too, were large
and pale. They never met the eyes of
any other man fairly. Once when Dan
happened to look at him he turned quick
ly away, and he glanced suspiciously and
furtively at the boy at times during the
rest of the meal
Don't like him." thought Dan. ssHe
looks sneaky and tricky and not like q
gentleman.
But Dan, of course, kept his opinion
to himself.
He learned his new duties quickly; was
alert, neat, and always good-natured. In
course of one week Captain Payson had
twice grunted approval.
Dan worked harder than ever, and be-
tween times. when the passenger was on
deck, watched him.
DOCtT IdFllal1 taIhSU HuGutiy allu pTii-
liantly, as even Dams uucultured view
could perceive.
But there were days when the doctor
was absolutely silent, ate nothing and
paced the deck wrapped in profound ST.
1ence.
On one of these days, going down just
at twilight to get something he had left
in his bunk Dan saw tall figure which he
did not recognize, with candle groop-
ing about among the chests of the sailors
below
"Who's there 2" he shouted.
The man came quickly toward him.
The candle threw yellow glare over his
set face and glaring eyes. 1t was the pas
| senger.
He caught Dan by the sleivc.
Here, boy-what do they call you ?"
''Dan."
"You are surprised to see me here,
Dan ?" with guilty laugh. Took me
for a ghost ?"
II beg your pardon. sir; oughtn't to
have called You. But it took me, aback,
sir"
Naturally; but you need not be sur
prised at seeing me in any part of the
vessel. am studying its construction
as scientific man. Captasn Payson has
been good enough to give me admittance
| to all parts of the vessel. You needn't
shout that way again. It startles nerv-
| Gus man, and with q vague smile he put
| out the candle and went on deck, leaving
Dan staring after him.
ssIt's not all right, or why should he,
being gentleman, make such long ex-
planation to me, being cabin boy, said
Dan.
That night Captain Payson was alone
| on the quarterback, when Dan presented
voice shook little for he was terribly
scared.
.sOld Sob was bigger man in his
| eyes than any king.
..Well, what's the matter with you q
growled the captain.
| .sThe-passenger.
s.What have you to do with the passen
geri''
81 beg your pardon, sir; but are yor
sure he isn't thief, or worse 2" gaspei
Dan.
| The captain seized the ropes end.
| Take that for your impotence, b,
| shouted, aiming q blow at Dan, wht
lodged it, and then blurted out the en-
tire story.
| Searching among the hunks? Docto
FarnellP' r muttered the captain in aston
ishment. dropping his weapon. Then b
walked tf1oughtfully up and down Sud
| denly he stopped before Dan.
IT is veil you came TO me and nobod,
else, be said. It's of no account. Doc
! tor Farnell is an eccentric man. If b