Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-05-05
Gales ano Skettbes.
CARr-waEELS.

Sam HOllister was born at sea, and his
mother died when he was still very lit
tie baby. His father was captain OF the
vessel, bark sailing from New York to
China. He was so fond of Sans mother
and of Sam that when she died he could
not bear to lose sight of the baby; so he
kept him ON board, and he had sailed hall
round the world before he was six months
old. The first officer Of the vessel was as
much lover of children as the captain :
and, with the aid Of good COW, Master
Sam grew apace, waxed fat, and was the
Joy of his lonely fathers heart, and in a
less measure of the crew. Time went on,
and the baby grew into boy. Six years
old he was at the time this story begins.
In all those years ne had been on land
never longer at once than month. Dur
ing that month he had visited some little
cousins who lived inland, out of sight Of
the ocean: and they had been greatly
amused at his sailor words and ways and
his stories OF the str ,nge things he had
seen, and Sam was equally delighted with
games and pleasures which were Old to
his cousins. but new to him.
"What makes you walk little stiff
kneed and with your feet so tar apart!
said one of the land-children.
why. you have to- replied the sea
child sturdily. ''or get carried into the lee
scuppers heels up"
Then his cousins had to learn what
scuppers were, and which was the leeward
side of a vessel. Sam called paul buck
ct, the kitchen galley, and usually said
..go on deck, instead of up stairs - and
these latter he always called the compan-
ion-way. until he learned better. And he
filled his pockets with pebbles, because
throwing stones was a novelty he had new
err heard of before His cousins were fas-
cinated with stories of China. and thought
the Chinese lived i'm delightful atmos-
phere of constant cracker-firing and KITE
flying; and occasionally Sam would puz-
zle them by talking pigeon English. learned
from the compradore and the Chinese men
who helped load his fathers vessel.
When Sam went away, there was much
mutual sorrow, and the children gave him
a little cart. for which he had contracted Il
great affection and IN which he had dragged
about the minutest cousin OF the bunch
a little dark eyed. rosy checked girl. two
years old. who was as happy to ride as
sam was tn be her horse. He would have
taken the little girl, too. as the wagon did
not seem quite perfect without her IN 1t !:
but she did not make any such offer and
he was shy about asking lavors. He trans
ferred bis regards as much rs he could to
the cart. and took it with him on board the
ship. It was rather an awkward play
thing there but on pleasant days, when
there was not much wind and the ship
was sailin" with an even keel he used to
draw it about on deck But he always
drew it empty. he never put anything in it.
His father noticed this one day. and said -
why don't you put something into
your cart. my boy? You ought to have
an object even in your play. Take those
marlin-spikcs forward to where the men
are going to work when they have had
their dinner.
but can't" said Sam, speaking in II
confidential tone. Annie is in there"
"Oh, nor' said Capt. HOLSTER. There
are 800 miles Of water between YOU and
her, besides 80 miles of dry land
IL know it," said sam, nodding "but
she's there. and | cant put in anything
else. you know"
This amused his father so much that he
did not press the point, and Sam played
with his cart and the memory of his pref
tv cousin thencelorth unmolested.
They arrived at Hong Kong and I'M
loaded. and then took in some Chinese
freight and went up To M Chuang. town
near the northern frontier of China. They
had been at this port two years before,
when Sam was but four years old.
IL was little chap when we were here
before" he said. Il am Il great deal
older now. father Cannot | 20 ashore
With you ?''
His fathers face wore the amused look
it had the day he learned why sam always
drew his cart empty.
Are You older ?" said he. ''Of course.
though. you have sweetheart now. and
that always gives one feeling of eN-
perience.
Sam did not know in the least what his
father meant. and hooked AT him blankly
rs a child always does when his elders
are talking of incomprehensibl things.
"Yes. YOU may 20; but remember and
stay by me always. and keep your wealth
er eve open. 81 rs not 20 get into any
scrapes."
Tie next day sam stepped into a boat
with his father, and was rowed ashore,
feeling very manly and responsible. They
stopped ut the custom-house. and then
went into the compradore' store: and the
fat Chinese man in charge talked to the
lilly Mclean manuce. rs he called sam,
in queer pigeon English. and made him 4
present OF toy and some sweet cakes,
which sam received with greet dignity
and condcsccusiou. Nv rather beneath a
person of his age. Then they strolled
about the streets. They were somewhat
troubled with the city dogs. who seemed
to know they We're strangers. and ran
after them in crowds. barking savagely
and even swapping at them. il chance
offered.
Capt Hollister drove off the howiing
dogs with n stout cane ne carried. and
they reached the outskirts OF the town.
Here Tartar caravan was coming in.
and Sam stopped to look at them. There
were 10 or l. large wooden carts. with
skin or canvas tops and no springs, drawn
hy great mules. The men who drove were
Withholding set. with long. black boards
and moustaches dressed in full truwsers.
tucked into fur boots: with long. loose
fur trimmed coats. more like dressing
gowns than overcoats: and with flat.
round. or peaked caps. also trimmed with
fur. Inside the carts were women and
children. some kettles and pans (the
household furnture.) and great piles OF
G,rS of all kinds The men hunt and