The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-06-13
THE CAPTAINS STORY.
[Minnie E. Kenney, in Morning Star.

IMinnie E. Kenney, in Morning Star.
 "Say, captain, do you want a boy~
 The old captain looked up and fixed his keen blue eyes on the boy who stood before him.
 "What do you want to go to sea for P he asked.
 "TO have good time," answered the boy promptly.
 tain.
 "Willie Harrison"
 "Do your mother and father know you are going to sea ?" asked the captain.
 The boys face flushed. He hung his head and did not answer this last ques- ton.
 "I thought as much" ]" said the captain, reading his answer in the boys face, You look to me like boy that was rum ming away from home. Now, you have probably been reading books about sail- DTS that have made you believe they have nothing but an easy time and lots of fun. These books have said nothing about hard work and storms. If you will take my advice, my boy, you will go right back home again, and not leave it again in this way. Wait till you are older and wiser before you decide on your calling for, life. When was boy about your sine did the same thing. l ran away from home and shipped on vessel with. out telling my mother what meant to do. l left note telling her that would write when we reached port. thought it would be grand thing to be sailor, but l was soon undeceived. We had scarcely left port before 1 would have given any thing in the world to get home again. had plenty of hard work to do, with many a taste of the ropes end if 1 failed to please. Sick or well, had to work, and even when did my best the mate swore at me for lazy lubber. used to cry myself to sleep many a night thinking of home and the dear mother had run away from. knew what a foolish boy l had been, but that did not help the matter.
 !" At last there came terrible storm The waves seemed to me to tower up like mountains, and they looked as if they would swallow us up. Our sails were torn in shreds and the masts were broken.
 We must take to the boats,' the cap- tain said, she is sinking fast
 "The boats were hastily lowered, and then the men crowded into them as fast as they could, each one pushing forward as fast as possible, lest there should not be room for all.
 "Give wayp shouted the captain and the men bent to their oars.
 "' Don't go without me r screamed as saw tn at they had deserted me, but my call was in vain. The roar of the storm drowned my voice, and the men were too intent on saving themselves to heed me.
 The vessel was very near the shore when she was wrecked, and thought perhaps the men might have intended to return for me, but as saw the little boats tossing on the waves like empty shells, I feared that they would not be willing to face them again to save me. was with out friend or helper save One.
 "Very earnestly 1 prayed that God would spare my life and let me see my home again.
 "l saw a wave approaching which looked as if 1t would surely engulf the vessel and clasping an empty hen.coop which was on deck, awaited its coming. felt it sweep me from the deck, and clung to the coop with all my strength, knowing that it would keep me ahoat at any rate. hold, but at last my life.preserver was thrown upon the beach, and kind hands saved me from the water. God had an. swered my prayer and mercifullv spared my life. When was well enough wrote to my mother, telling her of my escape and asking her forgiveness for leaving her. l did not receive an answer and it was some time before was able to get a passage home.
 When at last l reached my native place found the house empty and closed, and weeds growing everywhere in the once well-kept garden. My mother had died of broken heart when, as she sup posed, had perished with the wreck. My letter had been too late.
 "Now, my boy, you have heard my story. Will you profit by it2 Will you take my advice and go back to your mother9"
 "Yes, sir" answered Willie.
 The romance he had fancied in a sail or's life was offset by the sad story he had just heard, and he was sensible enough to profit by it and return to his home and his parents before it was too late.