The Dillon tribune., 1883-03-10
A YOUNG HERO.

A YOUNG HERO.
In June, 1860, the brig Polly Deems Cap
tain Job Payson, sailed from Boston for 8
port of Turkey laden with cot on goods
She was new taut little vessel, with plenty
of storage room. and had accommodation
for two passengers.
The crew conss ed of the captain. mate
four sailors, black cook, and abin-boy
Captain Payson was conscientious, just
man, who treated his crew neither to jokes
nor grog, but who lodged and fed them
better than would five out OF SIX OF tht
masters sailing from New England ports.
"Old Job, }" the mate. who was from the
West, used to say he was 6 hard man, but
one you could tie to, in fair weather OF
foul"
His crew were picked men, and, with the
exception of Dan, the cabin boy. had been
with him for years. This was Dams first
voyage, and he felt that captain and crew
eyed him with suspicion. He was on pro-
baton, and he felt that not a grain of favor
would be allowed him.
Dan was farm boy, who knew nothire
of the world beyond the village in which
was his others church. Shipboard. the
sea, Europe, Turkey, here were bewildering
ideas to burst at once on his narrow expert
ence. scarcely wi Ter than that of the house.
dog sleeping at the barn-d. or.
Keep your eyes open nd your hands
ready to see the ork of the moment and to
do it before the moment is over" was his
mothers last advice. ~ For the rest, Dan
iel, ask the Lords help. You'll find him
just as near to you in Turkey as in your
own home here"
Dan. in the hurry and excitement of get
ting under way, and of his new duties. re-
peated this advice over and over to himself
1t seemed to keep his mother near him.
Several days after, while he was carrying
the dinner dishes into the cabin, he over
heard the mate say
THAT boy is clipper enough for raw
hand, captain"
"Ay," grunted Captain Payson; "turns
out better than l expe" ted. / took him for
his mo: hers sake. Widow. Old friend Of
mine"
Rather gentleman]y fellow, this passen-
ger ?" ventured the mate. finding Captain
Payson in an unusually ia kative mood.
He is gentleman, sir one of the Far
nails of Springfield. lll-health. Doctor
prescribed long sea voyage. Agentleman
and scholar, Mr. Briggs!''
Dan while waiting on the table at dinner
could not help noticing the passenger.
8 Some of these days. thought the true
born Yankee lad, 81, too. shall he gentle
man and a scholar"
Doctor Farnall was tall. lean man, care
fully dressed, with sandy hair and NOUS
tache, but with eyebrows and lashes almost
white His eyes, too. were large and pale
They never met the e, es Of any other man
fairly. Once when Dan happened to look
at him he turned quickly away, and he
glanced furtive]y and suspiciously at the
boy at times during the rest of the meal
Don't like him." thought Dan "Looks
sneaking and tricky, and not like gentle
man."
But Dan, of course. kept his opinion to
himself. Even Job. the cook, snubbed the
& raw hand, and tolerated no remarks from
him.
Fortunately, the lad was not sea-sick. He
learned his new duties quickly; was alert,
neat, and always good-natured In the
course of one week Cap ain Payson had
twice grumbled approval.
Dan worked harder than ever. and be-
tween times for recl cation, when the pas.
senger was on deck, he watched him.
Doctor Farnall talked huentlv and bril-.
liantly. as even Dan 8 uncultured view could
perceive. But his talk was leveled far
above the heads of either the captain or Nh.
Briggs, who listened with half com prehend.
ing admiration.
But there were days when the doctor was
AnanJnfn1v ci1onk "a
deck wrapped in profound gloom, his light
eyes dartlng suspicious gla ces from side to
side.
On one Of these days Dan, DING down lust
at twilight to find something he had lett in
his bunk, saw tall figure. which he could
not recognize, with . candle cropping about
among the chests of the sailors.
Who's there? ?" he shouted.
The man came quickly toward him The
candle threw yellow glare over mis- set face
and glarlng eyes. 1t was the passenger. He
caught Dan BY the sleeve
" Here, boy-what do they call your"
" You're surprised to see me here. Dan ,"
with guilty laugh. Took me for a ghost.
eh ?" '''
beg your pardon I oughtn't to have
called to you. But it took me al.ack. sir +"
Naturally, You need not be surprised at
seeing me in any part of the vessel. lam
studying it's construction as scientific man.
Captain Payson has been good enough to
give me admittance to all part Of the vessel
You needn't shout in that disagreed le way
again. Il startles nervous man" And with
. vague smile he blew out the candle nn1
went upon deck, leaving Dan staring after
him. "4Sci
It's not all right; or, why should ha
being gentleman, make such 4 lone AZ,
PLANTATION to me, being . cabin-poy. said
Dan at last, shaking his head. .''
That night Captain Payson wa alone \,
the Quarterback when Dan presented az h;, -
self before him and saluted. H;s v r.,;
snoo *, little; for he was terribly scared.
!, Old JOB was bigger man il his eve.
than any king OF potentata = - eyes
wsIl =, wh s.s. the matter with You !.
: Ths-tlle passenger, ali.
What have you to do with tha n....,-
gei" ' 1.''''