The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-12-28
Ghildrem's Column.
The Surprising Experience of
Ben ButtleS
BY FRANK H. CONVERSE.

that Is, he was In his sixteenth year, vet
did not think himself too old to love
and obey his mother, or care for her
comfort. 1t is always bad sign when
a boy begins to outgrow one or both of
his parents.
So, Immediately after his arrival in
Savannah, Ben borrowed the mates
writing materials, and wrote to Mrs
Buttles, to relieve the anxiety he knew
she must be feeling, despite his tele-
gram.
Ben's educational advantages had been
limited, though am glad to say he made
the most of such as he had had Hence
trust that better educated boys will
excuse tbs mistakes they may see in his
letter. Poor Ben had never seen such a
book as The Polite Letter Writer in his
whole life. But he had read the late
Captain Buttles' old log-books over and
over again, and looking upon them add
miringly as specimens Of high literary
art, he had, perhaps without knowing it.
initiated their short and pithy sentences
in this almost the first letter he had ever
written. And | am not sure that most
business men, particularly editors, would
object if some of their CORRESPONDENTS
could tell their story as clearly in as
few words. This is a copy of the epis
tle
SAVANNAH, October 30, 1877
Ny Dear Mother,-I take My pen in hand
To ashure you l am safe. ct ceterer. tell Jim
Studley i cort a hollibut nigh the breaking
shole l CESS would way 200. Then got under
way for Home about 6 m with Thretning
wether. 1t come on to Blow with hevy sqwalls
from n, w, w to n. a terrible cross sea Runnin
carried away my STAFFORD ore and had to lay to
Drag. at IL p m Colided Wi h brig CALYPSO
laying to Making a complete reck OF the Dory
got Abord the Brig by the Main chanils AIRY
ing at savanar Oct IS. They are very Kind
Capn adams who cent the Telygraft says there
is nothing Bound north and to stay abord til
We are loded for boston. he will pay me saylor
wages when Go back. The mate has gave Me
starch shirt. And the sekond mate SCOT of
Blue close which Is a little wore. And hanis
was never Drest so Nice | am Looking for a
good paingJob Ashore while am hear perhaps
can Make Rig strik and Bring home the
mummy to pay up the Morgige
must Now close with love to All nquIring
trends Yore duttife sun BEN B."
Having mailed this remarkable docu-
ment, Ben strolled through the streets,
enjoying the novelty as only boy can
who has never been ten miles from home
in his whole life.
Why, what high steeple - said Ben
to himself, as he stopped below the Cot
ton Exchange, and gazed admiringly at
the lofty but slender spire of the hand
some church directly opposite.
Now it is a curious fact that if you
stand still in the street, and begin to look
intently at anything, some one else is
sure to stop and stare in the same direc-
ton, as though people generally had an
nj &c Il
birth-mark And Ben had hardly fixed
his gaze on the tall spire, when two gen
tlemen came to halt and began to look
the same way.
thought you took the contract tc
regild the ball and arrow up there
Miles," Ben finally heard one of them
say, with nod of his head toward the
weather-vane
$50 I did, returned Mr.. Miles, who
was boss" painter, "and a nice FIX
I'm in about it, too"
How so p asked the other, as, bring
ing his gaze earthward, he leaned up
against the iron fence, and lit cigar.
Well, answered Mr. Miles, following
his friends example, it's this way
contracted to have the thing done for
so much. 1 supposed, of course, that the
vane could be sent down, like any other
and gilded, and had my best man 90 up
to see to it. He worked at the nuts and
bolts that hold it for most half a day
then he came down all of a shake, and
says the thing can't be done, everything
has rusted SO, and that if it can't be
regilded where it is, it can't be done al
all. He won't be hired to 60 up there
again, and [ cant find any one here
abouts that will try it for love or money
even telegraphed to New York for Fer
guson, the steeple-climber, offered to pay
expenses, and give him seventy-fve dol
lars to boot; but he is engaged two
months ahead. I'd give hundred and
fifty dollars to-day" said Mr.. Miles
smoking vigorously, 1" to any one who
would shin up there and do The Job; fol
though it isn't an easy thing, I know ii
can be done"
Say two hundred and I'm your man -
suddenly exclaimed Ben, who had been
listening carelessly at first, then eagerly
Two hundred dollars would clear the
incumbrance from the little brown honse
Once he had climbed the pole of the
signal-staf on Covert Point, and rove of
the halyards almost hundred and fifty
feet from the ground, and was glad to gel
L r.