The Osceola times., 1882-01-07
A VAGAB0ND LIFE.

dering Sal or-Au Eton Scholar
Who Rams Aw ~ to Sea, Work.
In "A silver Nine, aud Fiads
His Father Dying on
Battle Field.
Philadelphia Press.
Leaning against on ofthe co ton bales
stacked on Christian street wharf ves,er.
day afternoon, was tail, powerfully
built man, abont forty years of age.
dressed in a rough blue snit, rather the
worse for wear. Around his neck a
faded silk handkerchief was loosely
KIN 1tted, and wide.brimmed felt hat
was carelessly pushed far back on his
head Altho gh his complexion was
deeply bronzed, his face would have
been considered extremely handsome
but for an ugly scar extending from the
right temple across the bridge of the
nose nearly to the end Of the left cheek
lie was clean shaven, with the excep-
ton of the upper lip, upon which flour
ished Il long tawny mustache. He ap-
peared to be gazing wistfully at the men
loading one OF the ocean steamers and
from time TO time stroked his chin with
a hand, sunburnt like his face, and some
what begrimed, but small and shaped as
delioately as that OF woman. Gle SAYS
he's an Englishman," said a custom
house officer TO Press reporter, who
happened 20 be on the wharf making
some inquiries "ile has been leaning
against that bale for these two hours and
more. | expect he's hard pushed, as he
has been trying the captains of two of
the steamers for leave to work his pas.
sage to Liverpool. All the holes appear
to have pegs in them, however. He
looks u decent sort of a fellow, too"
The reporter accosted the stranger
with few remarks which were readily
and cheerlully responded 10, and pres
emily the news man and his fresh ac-
quaintance were seated opposite to each
other in neighboring tavern discussing
a concoction called by the ungodly whs.
ky punch, and chatting as pleasantly
together as though they had known each
other for years.
"You are right" said the stranger, al
am by birth an Englishman; but for
twenty -fve years and more have been
am inhabitant of so many. climes and
cities that have almost forgotten my
My name-well, at present,
call myself Wilson. Where In funds
would add captain to it or colonel, for |
| have earned the right to both titles by
sea and by land. However, | do not at
this moment possess even the tradition
airy last cent, so | drop all handles and
remain, yours truly" lifting his glass to
his lips, Jack Wilson. Why am here
Well, for the life of me | don't know.
came here in a coaster from Baltimore
the night before last had grip-sack
then with few things in it and $40 in
my pocket, but got drunk in saloon
somewhere about this bit of river beach,
and when | awoke this morning, my
bag was gone and 50 was my money"
did you speok to the police?"
Mot |. ! broke the rum sellers head
with one of his own whisky bottles
smashed the greater number of the
glasses under his counter and walked
outside to cool off little and wandered
on to where you saw me standing.
should say by your darned inquisitive-
ness you're writer for the newspapers:
now, if you'll stand a meal and give me
sufficient to pay my fare to New York, |
will tell You the story of my vsgahond
wanderings, and wort swell your head
either. Agreed Very sell, now let me
wet my whistle and III begin.
| Az lllt lllIlt 1 NAlllt lilo lllt Np1lu,
my father was wealthy Devonshire
squire in England. He did not then
reside in the country, for he had COM
mission in one of the household regi-
ments, and therefore rented a mansion
in fashionable quarter Of London, and
lived in the style befitting man OF
means and family. In my ninth year
had the misfortune to lose my mother
shortly after which event my flther sold
out of the army, gave up his town house
and went abroad having previously
made arrangements for sending me q
/ Eton. There remained for 1--WE years,
spending my holidays at the place in
Devonshire, my only friend being the
steward who had been left in charge.
! He had been an old sailor in his time.
aud SO fired my youthful fancies with
the stories he told me of the sea that |
/ determined TO run away TO London and
ship on board some vessel. was n
hardy lad, fond of every kind of sport,
but with a strong distaste 10 study.
/ had no relatives who seemed to take any
/ interest in me, fact, as ! discovered in
after years, which was entirely owing TO
my father, who was at that time wasting
/ his substance in every species of de-
hauchery on the continent.
my plans were easily laid. | started
for school with ten bright sovereigns in
my rocket, my quarterly allowance.
| Eaton, as You know, is close TO London.
changed cars at junction, and pres
emily found myself in the midst of the
great city. | asked my way to the docks
aud climbed on board a huge bark
that man told me would sail that day
for South America. inquired for the
captain, and was shown into the cabin
] shall never forget his look of surprise
when asked him il he wanted boy
| was dressed in the fine attire of a
young Etonian, chain dangled from
my fob, and ring was on my finger.
certainly did not look the sort of boy to
aspire TO the humble position of ships
monkey, and so the captain evidently
thought. lie asked me If | was serious
! replied that my greatest wish was TO
go to sea. 1T perhaps will not be an