Morris tribune., 1881-02-10
STRANGE ADVENTURES OF A POET.


STRANGE ADVENTURES OF A POET.
How He Had the Romance Taken Ont of Him.
Adapted from the French of Eugene Sue.
Narcissus Brown was a most estimable
Young man, of studious habits. His father,
a tradesman had pride in giving him liberal
education. At the age of nineteen years,
therefore, Narcissus had finished his edu-
cation, and had become philosopher.
But youth is tickle. An ardent magma
ton and restless instincts worked their way,
and at the age of nineteen years and three
months he became poet.
Father" said he, one day, Il feel with
in me the poetic instinct. am poet"
Every we'll my son." said the paternal
Brown, be poet if you will. So much
the better too, he added, with proud fond
ness, because it will vex Green, the gro
Ger. His son is a writer, but he only writes
prose"
So Narcissus became poet Every day
he wandered off to the little villages near
his native city, and there communed with
nature. The dusty trees which lined the
roadside moved him to poetry, and even
the windmills stirred his SOUL
All" he would sentimentally say, how
romantic they look! See the white sails
glinting in the sun like those of a fair gal
leon over the waves to some far-oH shore.
The sea! He had never thought of the sea
before. The idea suddenly flashed across
his brain.
All" he unused, "the sea! The bright,
blue, boundless ocean! That is the place
for poet. What is there poetic in this
humdrum life ashore? On the ocean man
struggles with nature; he combats the ele-
ments; he defes the storm. l shall 60 to
sea-"
He returned to the paternal shop, and de-
clared his intention. But his father only
Welded after much persuasion. At last he
consented, and made up package OF fancy
dry-goods which he thought would sell well
at the colonies. To this he added purse,
some tears and his blessing, and Narcissus
started for the nearest seaport.
There he repaired to the house OF cous-
ina resident of the place; he related his in
tention, and asked for advice. The cousin
vas well acquainted with the captain of a
brig which was about to sail for Martinique
nd secured him passage aboard of her.
Narcissus experienced slight shock
when he heard the name of the vessel.
IF it were only little more poetical!'
he thought The Unaine, or the Mer.
maid, or something like that. But the
Sarah Ann" And he asked the captain s
name When told it was Smith, he almost
tainted He was to sail aboard of the brig
Sarah Ann, Smith, master. He would
have willingly given a larger sum If the
captain had had nautical name.
However, there was no help for this
passage-money was paid. So the next day
accompanied by his cousin, he took boat
and went on board the Sarah Ann, to see
what she looked like. On the way out the
water was very rough, the boat was small
and Narcissus at once hoped and feared
some notwithstanding romantic. Bu
he only got sea-sick.
When he reached the deck he cast al
eager glance around upon the hardy sons Of
the sea. Most of them were swabbing the
deck after getting in cargo, and there were
several engaged in washing and hanging ou
shirts upon the rigging to dry. With an ex
clamation of disgust, Narcissus tnrned away
''They only need fiat irons to be washer
women" said he.
However, he decended to the captain
cabin. That individual was talking to {
stout, thick-set man, and signed to Narcis
sus and his cousin to seat themselves
They did so, and Narcissus immediately
began to inspect the cabin. To his DISCUS
he found it was prosaic little room, with {
carpet, chairs, table, and pictures on the wall'
exactly like a room on shore. Narclssul
sighed and turned his eyes upon the captain
His idea of the man who was to brave the ele.
ments and command a turbulent crew wa!
rs follows: A mariner of giant frame-a
least six feet; a massive head; fierce eyes
voice of awe-inspiring qualities. He
looked at Captain Smith. and saw that be
was short, thin man, about forty years Of
age; he was extremely polite in his manners
he wore wig, and he took snuff. 1t il
impossible to describe the revulsion of feel.
ing that swept over Narcissus when he be.
held this insignificant parsonage.
The individual who was talking to tine
captain was, as we have said stoutly built
hewas jolly looking fellow and was deeply
interested in trying to beat down the rate Of
passage.
Come now, captain" said he ''cant yot
put it little lower?"
Il have only one price, replied the cap.
tain. s s...
Narcissus thought of the paternal shop
and shuddered
Well said the stout man, after much
debate, what must be must be. One con.
dition how ever; my boxes must have air
and dampness will injure them. You know
what they contain. So want you to prom
Use me that they shall not be put in thu
hold"
All right" said the captain; "they shall
be placed on the orlop deck"
''And I can examine them whenever like
Whenever you like"
'fWell here's your money" said thu
stout man, and he placed the sum upon thu
table, saluted, and left.
"Who's that fellow" asked the cousin
"Oh, it's poor devil of Snowman. Hel
going to the colonies with lot Of wal
figures, to exhibit them"
Wax figures! Why, they'll all melt i
you leave them on the orlop deck, won
they?"
"Well, that's his business" replied thu
worthy captain, od-naturedly. Then
turning to Narcissus, he said: "Well, sir
am pleased to meet you. shall maxi
your voyage as agreeable as possible. Yor
will be very comfortable-just exactly tn
same as if you were on land"
Narcissus was in despair
But, captain, said he, "you never hav,
a voyage without storm do your"
storm! Storm! Why, my dear sir, w
followed the sea, man and boy, for twenty
one years, and, with the exception of
capfull of wind now and then, I've Away
had splendid weather"
"May the devil strangle you and you
splendid weather." thought Narcissus.
Five were in winter, now" continue,
the captain, II don't say but that it Nigh
be little rough; but in July! Why, my dea
sir, you'll scarcely know that you're at sea-
Captain, y said Narcissus suddenly, tax
ing the bull by the horns, can get bacl
my passage money? want to go on som
other ship.
sSerhe other ship said the astonishe,
captain. sWhy, you couldn't be better sat
isfied. The brig is a splendid one. TIL
sailors are all religious; you never hear al
Doth ora vulgar word from their lips.
At the thought Of these nun. like mariners
Narcissus made an involuntary grimace.
LET me assure you, sir, that you couldn'