Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1882-02-11
ObeYing Orders.

small wooden house away down in
Hanover street, in somewhat close
proximity to Salutation alley. This
widow was blessed with a son, who,
like Goldsmith and many other dis
tinguished men, was the Ounce of
his class. Numerous were the fog
gings which his stupidity brought
upon him, and the rosd of knowl-
edge was with him truly, vale Of
tears"
One day he came home, as usual,
with red eyes and hands.
"Oh, you blockhead ~ screamed
his mother-she was a bit of a vira'
go, Mrs. Trotter was-''you've been
gettin' another lickin', | know
20, yes,' replied young Trotter,
that one NV the regular exercise
-lickin' me. 'Arter I've licked
Trotter,' seq the master, III hear
the 'rithmetic class But, mother,
to change the subject, as the crimi-
nal said when he found the judge
was getting personal, Is there envy
errand | can do for you ~
Yes" grumbled the widow;
''only you're so eternal slow about
everything you undertake. $50 get
a pitcher of water, and be four years
about it, will you Z"
Bob Trotter took the pitcher, and
wended his way in the direction of
the street pump; but he hadn't got
tar Wien he encountered his friend
Joe Buffer, the mate of a vessel, is
suing from his home, dragging IA
heavy sea-c hcst with him.
Come, Bob said Joe, '.bear "A
hand and help us down to the Long
Wharf with this"
"Well, so | would" only you see
mother sent me after a pitcher OF
water"
"What do you care about your
mother ? She don't care for you.
Come along.n
"Well," said Bob, first let me
hide the pitcher where ! can find it
again."
With these words he slowed away
his e~arthenware under a fight OF
stone steps, and accompanied his
friend aboard the ship. The pilot
was urging the captain to cast off,
and take advantage of the tide and
wind; but the captain was awaiting
the arrival of a boy who had ship,
ped the day before, and wishing no
good to his eyes for the delay he had
eccasioned.
At last he turned to Bob and ex-
claimed:
"What do you say, youngster, to
shipping with me ? I'll treat you
we'll, and give you ten dollars per
month";"
II should like to go,'' said Bob,
hesitatingly; "but my mother"
"Hang your mother !" interrupted
the captain; "she'll be glad to get
rid of you. Come-will you go ?"
81 han't got no clothes"
"Here's a chest full. The other
chap was just your size; they'll fit
you to a T."
"Im 60"
"Cast off that line there !" shout
ed the captain;and the ship fell with
the tide, a fair wind and every stitch
of canvass set. She was bound for
the northwest coast, via Canton and
back again, which was then called
the "double voyage" and usually
occupied about four years.
In the meantime the mysterious
disappearance of Bob, seriously
alarmed his mother. A night pass
ed, and the town crier was called in
to requisition a week, when she gave
him up, and had a note read for her
in meeting, and went into mourn
ing.
Just four years after the occur
ences, the ship returned to port, and
Bob and his friend were paid off.
The wages of the Widows son just
amounted to four hundred and eigh-
ty dollars, and he found on squaring
his account with the captain, that
his advance had amounted to the
odd tens, and four hundred dollars
clear, was the result of his long ca
reer on the water.