Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-09-22
OBEYING ORDERS.

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small wooden house away down in
Hanover street, in somewhat close
proximity to Salutation alley. Well,
this widow was blessed with n son,
who, like Goldsmith, and many other
men distinguished in after life, was
the Ounce of his class. Numerous
were the Aoggings which his stupidity
brought upon him, aud the road to
knowledge was with him truly vale
of tears"
One day he came home, as usual,
with red eyes and hands,
30, you blockhead" " screamed his
mother, she was bit of IA virago,
Mrs. Trotter was-"Youvo been get
tin another lickin', | know"
40, yes" replied young Mr.. Trotter;
that is one Nv the reg lar cxercises-
licking me. 'Arter I've licked Trot.
ter, sez the master, I'll hear the nth.
metic class But. mother, TO change
the subject. as the criminal said, when
he found the judge was getting per
sonal, is there emmy errand can do
for you?'
"Yes,' grumbled the widow f; "only
you're so eternal slow about every
thing YOU undertake-go get pitcher
of water, and be four years about it,
will you p
Bob Trotter took the pitcher, aud
wended his way in the direction of
the street pump; but he hadn't got
far when he encountered his friend,
Joe Buffer, the mate Of vessel, j..
suing from his home, dragging
heavy sea chest after him.
Come. Bob said Joe, bear
hand, and help US down 10 the Long
Wharf with this
"Well, so | would answered Bob,
"only YOU see mother sent me arter 4
pitcher of water"
What do you care about your
molhery She don't car for you.
Come along
We'll" said Bob. first let me
hide the pitcher where | can find 1t
again"
With these words he slowed away
his earthen.ware pitcher under flight
of stone steps, aud accompanied his
friend aboard the ship. The pilot
was urging the captain 10 cast of, aud
take advantage of the wind aud tide,
but the latter was awaiting the arrival
of boy who had shipped the day be-
fore, wishing no good to his eyes for
the delay he had occasioned.
At last he turned TO Bob and said
What do YOU say, youngsier, 10
shipping with mey ri treat YOU
well. and give yon ten dollars a month
Il should like to GO said Bob,
hesita,ingly, "but my mother
Hang your mother - interrupted
the captain, She'll be glad to get rid
&C you. Come-will YOU goy'
Il hain't got no clothes
Heres a chest full. The other
chap was just your size they'll fit
you to T."
I'll 60"
Cast off that line there" shouted
the captain; and the ship fell with
the tide. a fair wind, and every stitch
of canvas set. She was bound for the
northwest coast, via Canton, and back
again, which was then called the
double voyage" and usually occu-
pied about four years.
In the meanwhile. the disappear
ance of Bob seriously alarmed his
mother. A night passed, and the
town crier was called into requisition
a week. when she gave him up, had a
note read for her in meeting. and went
into mourning.
Just four years after these occur.
rcnces. the ship returned to port, and
Bob and his friend we're paid Off /
The wages of the widows son amount
ell to just four hundred aud eighty |
dollars, and be found on squaring his |
account with the captain, that his adj |
vance had amounted TO the odd tens,
and four hundred dollars clear were /
the fruits of his long cruise.
As he walked 10 the direction Of his |
mothers house, in, company with Joe,
he scanned with curious eye. the |
houses, shops, and the people that he |
passed. Nothing appeared changed F;
the same signs indicated an unchanged |
hospitality on the part Of the same
landlords, and the same loaiers were |
standing at the same corners--it seem
cd as If he had been gone but a day. |
With the old sights aud sounds, BOb's
old feelings revived, and he almost
dreaded to see, debouching from some |
alley, detachment Of boys sent by |
his ancient enemy, the schoolmaster,
to know why he had been playing |
truant, and to carry him back to re.
ceive the customary wolloping.
When he was quite near home, he |
said:
Joe. I wonder if anybody's found