The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1880-08-27
WHO WAS THE BOY
THE HEROIC DEED OF \ STATESMAN AxD \
DIPLOMAT.
Jim can manage him.

Inn can manage him.
These words were spoken by a dark-fea-
tured and full-bearded man to his compan-
ion, swaTthy fellow whose every look be-
tokened the fierce nature within as the two
assembled from the cabin of the Mary Ann of
Bitter Creek, and stepped quietly on the
quarter deck. The older Of the two took
few turns Of the somewhat confined space be
tween the binnacle and partly used chew Of
tobacco which the second mate had left on
the port rail, and then went below to consult
his charts.
The situation was indeed critical one for
the beautiful vessel, which rested like a swan
on the heaving surface of the Miami Canal
For three hours she had been becalmed by a
ballSy mule. Freighted with cargo of gold
en-hued pumpkins, it was important that
there should be no delay in reaching the port
to which they were consigned Hence the
shippers anXietywas but natural The black
clouds that were scurrying across the south
ern sky told too plainly that a storm was ap-
proaching, and woe to the vessel it found
unprepared. The Captain knew that in the
present situation Of his stately ship a wreck
was inevitable should the storm strike her.
1t was an anxious moment, but his cheek
L
and of this none who knew our hero had any
fear. Glancing hastily at the compass he
saw that the vessels proper course was east
by south, and that the lead mule was at least
two points away, and on his beam ends The
storm was rapidly approaching, and the ON
inous mutterings of heavens artillery was
evidence enough that ere long the now placid
surface of the canal would be Iashed into
whitecapped pillows, any one Of which
would engulf the Mary Ann. To think was
to act with the Captain Hastily seizing a
glittering fog horn from its place in the rat
lines, he placed it quickly to his mouth and
shouted
''Tie up the cook"
1t was wise move The cook was liable
to have Mysteries when anything went wrong,
/ and frequently tipped over the supper.
''The Capn's all right, said Coshocton
Joe to the ships carpenter, a tail, athletic
fellow from Berea, whose hrawny arm had
often directed the fatal fiShline in pickerel
season.
aye, aye, meSsmate, 50 was the response !;
''and though I'm sore afeard wen nee see
wife and children again or steal grapes in
the Sandusky Valley, its not l that will
shrink back or stepashore at atime like this
''WeH said, my hearty came in Il gruT
voice from the ships waist. "Our pinnacle
lights may go out this night forever. but let
us die like Ohioans."
By this time the first puffs of the approach
ing tempest were plainly to be felt and the
shriI notes OF the boss hens on the neighbor-
ing farms showed that even they had scented
the danger and were seeking shelter.
1t was terrific moment.
/ The mule was apparently the only animate
thing that did not comprehend the danger
lie lay obliqucly across the towpath, occa-
/ sionally whisking fly from his ear with one
: of his hind feet, but gave no other evidence
of life.
/ Unless he could he gotten on his feet the
/ ship would be lost What could he done?
/ While all were standingin speechlcsS amaze
at the phenomenal cuSsetlnesS of the beast, a
3 slouch hat was seen to emerge from the fore
! castle, quickly followed by a small boy. One
glance at the angry sky and another at the
mule was enough Quickly leaping upon
the slop bucket, he Sprang lightly from the
/ larboard rail to the towpath, and advanced
( toward the apparently sleeping mule.
The crew look on with aStonishment.
With stealtly tread he cTcpt alongside Of
the animal. and with one bound aliehtcd on
his back. Like a flash he grabbed its tail
and gave that member a violent twist. In
an instant the mule was on his feet and kick
ing in seventeen directions at once. But he
was left. The boy was ON his back, holding
the lines with a grasp of iron. With terri
bile yaw-haw of rage the now thoroughly in
furiatcd animal dashed madly forward The
strain the cable was immense, and the
good ships timhcTs grcaned as II in agony.
In a moment, however. she felt the breeze
created by the mule going ahead, and her
cutwatcr cleft the blue waters like a knife rs
she kicked to star board and stood away on
/ her course.
The boy ON the mule had saved her and
when the Captain SAW him twist the animal 5
tail he said, loud enough for all to hear:
THAT was the act of a statesman and 4
diplomat"
/ Who was the boy? James y Garfield.
! Chicago Tribune. J. FENINORE COOPER.
THE WORST BLUFF 1 EVER MADE