Weekly Chillicothe crisis. (Chillicothe, Livingston Co., Mo.) 1878-19??, 1883-08-16
THE MYSTERIOUS LEGACY.

MY grandfather was u sea Caplaln-
not mere claimant Of the title, like
the watermcn of the lakes, and the
coast shippers who never got out of
sight of land, and who, if they got
there, could never get back-but II
genuine sold SALT" trained from boy
hood under u tarpaulin hat, and rs
familiar with tho "paths of the sea" as
a shepherd is with those of 4 Sheep
walk. Spending his life on extensive
voyages, he was seldom at home long
enough at time for the salt spray to
dry on his wcathCr-bcatcn cheeks; and
there was hardly u port ON the habit
able globe in which he could not shake
hands with an old acquaintance, civil
lied or savage.
OF course his history was crowded
with curious incidents. Most of these,
at which my childish ears tingled and
my eyes dilatcd, have become so faded
in memory Us to be incapable of Il toll
cradle narration. The following, how
ever, made more lasting impression
During the calm between the Old
FreAch War and tho American Rcvo-
luton, large ship was lying at Il
wharf in the town of New York, load
cd with u valuable cargo and ready to
sail for Liverpool, and thence 10 what
over part of the globe the chances OF
commerce would dictate.
This was my grandfather ship, only
waiting for her papers and fair wind.
The papers were soon ready, and
shortly after them came y brccHe,
Presently everything ON board was in
active motion the casting off and
coiling OF ropes, tho unfurlng of can.
vass, and the running up of sailor boys
along the ratlines like spiders on the
webs; while the sharp, imperative or
dcrS of the mate, and Inc hearty ''yG.
hOy-ycm of the cheerful crew echoed
over the ripping waters of the harbor,
which looked in the rays of the setting
sun as if il was covered with cream
Of liquid gold. just before the last
plank was hauled in, astrangorstcppod
hurricdly on board and inquired for the
Captains state room. Being conduct.
cd thithcr, he entered, and with 9
slight bow, accOstcd the Captain, who
sat writing at his desk;
you are for Liverpool, | believe
sir?n
eyes, SIR
81 am in poor health, and, intending
to spend the winter in italy. wish tt
get passage in the first ship that sails
for Europe. viii you take II pas
sengcrP"
Yes, sir, if my accommodations will
suit YOU"
No matter about Accommodations
Captain. | am an old sailor and know
how to accommodate myself. Besides
the trim of your ship suits my cye."
The allusion to his i'll health attract
cd my grandfather's scrutiny, and the
introduction Of himself us an old sailor
touched his heart. On noticing hin
more particularly he was struck will
an undefnable feeling of curiosity an,
sympathy at his appearance. Tall
straight and rather slender, he wa
dressed in fine black broadcloth, will
sort of Spanish cloak of the sam,
color aqd quality. Atwo-edged sword
common on shipboard at that time
and improperly called u cutlasS, wa
partly covered by his cloak, and hun.
by his side without sheath. His hal
was quite gray, and his manly feature
would have been handsome had the,
not been so omaciatcd rs TO givo un
pleasant prominence to II half-dozel
deep scars on his face. His eyes wer
blue and full of expression, utrestles
at times, showing asudden abstraction
Tho lOoseness of one of his black glove
gave evidence that he had lost iinge
or two from his lett hand. These oh
servations were made by tho Captai
while tho stranger was looking at
beautiful sextant on the table. Turn
ing, as if startled ut his forgetfulness
he resumed:
"Name the price, Captain, and wi
pay it now."
My grandfather had already lixe
the price in his mind, and replied:
"You are sailor, sir, and sick Th
Accommodations of my ship, as well a
my own services, arc at your free con
mand."
The language of a sailors heart ca
not be misunderstood, and knows n
interpreter; and the stranger knew tina
remonstrance would be ungenerous o
his part. He made no reply, but ca
gerly extended his hand, and my grand
father, as he shook it, thought he sa,
a tear in tho strangers eye. But nc
BILE hearts are impatient of exhibition
of gratitude, and he quickly added:
81 am ready to sail, sir. Is you
baggage on boardP"
"This is my baggage, sir" he re
piled, showing him a small blac
satchel under his coat.
Leading him to state room th
Captain left him and went on decl
and found tho ship already under way
the sails filed with stiff breeze, an
wharves, warehouses, and spectator
fast growing small in the distance A
length, az darkness shut in the view
the wind increased to gale, and fror
a 0ale tO n temnest. and for ten dav