National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-08-02
A Sailors story.
Chicago Netcs.


We were bocalmed OFF tho Mexican
coast on board of an old tub of craft
that was dignifled by the name of o
splendid sailing vessel, the Flying Raven.
and bound to our several homes in the
Atlantic states, after self Punishment
in the mines of California. "a. a 4 lal o.
We had been promised quicker run to
Panama from tho Golden ,Gato. but "man
proposes and God disposes." For instead
of short passage We were forty-three
days getting to opposite Acapulco, in
Mexico; there we lay in dead calm five
days in one spotni Added to this, we ran
short of provisions and were put on short
allowance. There we're few passengers
that messed with the captain, and these
fared very we'll, and this fact was bone
of discomfort to the balance, and many
were the grumblings at the partiality
thus shown.
In our crowd Of some two hundred pas
sengers was curious and eccentric per-
son, to whom we gave the euphonious
name Of "Muggins." His real namo l
never learned. His curious and grotesque
contortions CT countonanco and odd
speeches at times were so very witty that
he was the main source Of merrimeat for
the whole ships company.
We had been placed ON short allowance
some two or three days, when all of u
sudden our Merry Andrew was missing.
We searched evory nook and corner Of the
vessel, but no "Muggins" was to DO found,
aud we came to the conclusion that he
had gone overheard accidentally, or with
intent to commit suicide, At any rate,
he was gone from our midst.
With his disappearance the life and
spirit seemed gone from our company.
dull. melancholy feeling took nos.
session of the whole Sims crew. /, for
one. felt curious in regard TO the myste-
rious disappearance of our fellow.passon-
ger.
One thing looked A little strange to me.
IL was this: His bunk. or sleening cot.
was next to mine. and l made the i'm.
portant Ito mel discovery that his Garnet
bav and blanket were gone. Too.
III he committed suicide by jumping
overheard did he take these article, with
him or, again, had some fellow passen-
ger appropriated them as soon as il was
known that he had disappeared Icould
not fathom IT, 80 kept my own counsel
and said nothing.
The crew of the FLYING Raven were
mostly old tars, and withal very super
BtlLlOuS. AMI The IONS OIL Onr IBllOw-uus-
sengor appeared to have a visible effect
upon their spirits. for wa no longer heard
the rough Joke and merry sopy.
ono evening I was irving 10 get a little
cool air. seated upon a coli of ropo. and
smoking n fragrant Havana. II had
grown quite dark. and INV mind was busy
with the mast, present. and future. and I
wondered IL there MAS a soul on board
TINT telt AS sad and lonely as l. or that
caTed ns little for tho future.
While in INV deem meditation I had al
most fallen asleep. and a.slipht noise az of
muiiled footsteps struck mon INV oar In
Voluntarily. tnrned toward tho aound.
and 10 INV sstonishment saw the likeness
of Che lost Ipassengor. "Mupuins.p dressed
in Wits. Nv first improssion was that
II was a ohoai and Contest 10 being a
little rriShtened. -
moment the obieot. atood facing mo.
when The footstens of sono of tho sailors
coming nj, IL suddnnly seemed To sink
into Tie decL near the stern.hatoh
Two old tars came up 10 where I still
sat, and asked me il / had seen any one