The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1884-01-10

trouble me too much. He had but the
clothes we found him in; SO the Captain
and | gave each of US a soft calico shirt
to one of the men forward. a neat hand
with the needle, chap named Claw, TO
make into couple of suits of linen for
the baby: and this ard knitted waist
coat and swathing of flannel round
his body and legs kept him tidy and
warm and comfortable. We got mighty
fond of him. We'd bring him on deck
and Law him in the fold of sail or on
the ensign when the weather was fine
and warm, and then you'd see him
kicking up his legs in the sunshine,
toasting his tiny toes IN it, and looking
at his fingers and talking to himself.
He made the bark more human than
ever l thought vessel could be rem
dered. He begot strong home feeling
in US all, and you'd see the moving
fancies he'd put into the men as they'd
creep aft-and l never pretended &c
notice them-to have a look at the little
'un. Many stream of tobacco juice
I've seen them squirt overheard from
the quarterback after watching the
baby, as if their hearts were too full to
suffer 'em to wait until they got for
ward to eXpectorate.
But one day, sir, there came an end
to this. 1t must have been the cutting
of tooth, L think. He had 3 fit, but
pulled through it, and we thought him
all right, and left him sleeping and
looking comfortable enough in my bunk
while | went on deck. We were then
in latitude twenty-eight degrees south,
in the tail of the trade wind.
81 had been on deck two hours, when
the steward came up through the COM
panion. and, approaching me slowly
and speaking very solemnly, he says
MIR. Roband, he says, little Jimmy
that was the name he went by-'little
Jimmy he says, has gone to jine hi;
mother
81 started and said: what's that
you say?' He answered.: Our little
'un's dead, sir
Il ran below and found the Captain
in my cabin looking at the baby that
lay a corpse in my bunk. had grown
wonderfully fond of the BARN, sir, and
the sight broke me down, and one OF
two heaving sobs came from me, nc
more to be helped by me than the
tightness in my throat O, sir, it was
as if beautiful little Indian bird that
YOU had cherished and looked after haC
died of the Cape cold in spite of youl
love. Only this was an immortal be
ing, fellOw-creature, a little baby tina
we had plucked from the very brink O.
anOcean grave into which his mother
dead embrace was dragging him; anC
we had learned to love him.
"'He is gomez said Captain Blackett
its Gods will, Mr.. Roland. We die
our duty by him-we could not have
done more
1--WE may take it, sir, that hi
mother wanted him. says the steward
CAY, steward, and her entreaty ha
been answered. says the Captain, witt
a glance aloft.
II could not take any hand in equip
ping the little mite for his funeral.
was too much upset sir. The sailmake
made tiny hammock for him, and the,
put his hands together, and SmoOtheC
the little wreaths of yellow hair upol
his head, and dressed him in clear
things, and, before he was stitched up
all hands lay aft to say good-by, ant
ne'er a man among them that entere'
the cabin but stopped to give the littl
cold face kiss before leaving. w
kept him till next day, and buried hin
after eight bells had been made.
at was a green, windy, glistenin:
morning: the emerald seas ran at us
melting in froth as they came; and tn
shadows of the men gathered aroun'
the gangway, swayed at our feet as tn
bark rolled over the surges, and tn
dancing sun darted beams like spear
of light from the clouds through whic
he swung. o, sir, the contrast of tina
little hammock upon the grating wit
the huge grave that was to receive ii
The service was almost more than som
of us could bear; I'd see the men tur
their heads away, and look down, an
when at last it came tosthe passag
that's a signal at sea for the fitting c
the body into the water, we all let on
breath out in sob as the tiny ham
mock sped like q snowflake over tn
side and vanished in the slant of a Sc
whose breaking summit flashed a rain
bow over the spot. "-LOndon Tel
graph.