The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1885-02-12
MY STOWAWAY.
The Actors little Came" and
How Got Even With Him.

One night towards eleven o'clock
stood at the stern of that fine Atlantic
steamship, the City of Venice, which
was blowing its way through the dark
ness towards America. | leaned on
the rounded bulwark and enjoyed a
smoke as gazed ON the luminous trail
the wheel was making in the quiet sea.
Some one touched me on the shoulder,
saying, "Beg pardon, sir" and on
strengthening up saw in the dim light
man whom at first [ took to be one of
the steerage passengers. / thought he
wanted to get past me, for the room
was rather restricted in the passage be-
tween the aft wheel house and the stern,
and moved aside. The man looked
hurriedly to one side and then the other
and approaching said in a whisper,
I'm starving, sir!''
''Why don't you 60 and get something
to eat then. Don't they give you plenty
forward?"
Il suppose they do, sir, but I'm a
stowaway. l got on at Liverpool.
What little took with me is gone and
for two days I've had nothing'
Come with me. Pll take, you to the
steward, he'll fix you all right"
20, no, no, no. he cried, trembling
with excitement. ''If you speak to any
of the officers or crew I'm lost. l as
sure you, sir, I'm an honest man, I am
indeed sir. It's the old story-nothing
but starvation at home, SO my only
chance seemed to be to get this way to
America. If I'm caught I shall get
dreadful usage and will be taken back
and put in jail
20, you're mistaken. The officers
are all courteous gentlemen.
''Yes. to you cabin passengers they
are. But to a stowaway-that's a
different matter. If you can't help me,
sir, please don't inform on me-
''How can help you but by speaking
to the Captain or purser?"
Get me morsel to eat"
"Where were you hid?"
Right here, sir, in this place." and
ne put his hand ON the square deck
edifice beside US. This seemed to be a
sort of spare wheel-house, to be used
II anything went wrong with the one in
front 1t had couple of doors on each
side and there were windows all round
It. At present it was piled full of those
cane folding steamer chairs and other
odds and ends.
Il crawl in between the chairs and
The wall and get under that piece of
tarpaulin by the end here
Well, you're sure of being caught,
1or the first fine day all those chairs will
be taken out and the deck steward can t
miss you.'
The man sighed as said this and said
sne chances were much against him.
Then, starting up, he cried: POVERTY
IS the great crime. If | had stolen some
one else's money | would have been
aole to take cabin passage instead Of"
II you weren't caught"
well, If | were caught what then?
would be well fed and taken care of.
~ they'd take care of you.'
ne waste food in this great ship would
ieed a hundred hungry wretches like
lne. Does my presence keep the steam
er oaek moment of time? No. Well.
VINO Is harmed by my tryino tn bettnr
hass; nssen IN a new worlde No one. | am
,ghg ior crust from the lavish
Plenty all because am strugg inc to he
honest. 1t is only when | become q
1nief that am out of danger of starva~
non-caught or free.n '' '
L., There, there, now, don't speak so
loud or you'll have some one here T You ~
nang round and I'll bring Won Soma
Nofender. What would Won ike n
nayes Poached eggs on toast. soma
turkey or-n 'oAAo
s The wretch sank down at NV feet as
saiq TINS, and recognizing the cruelty
u u hurried down into the saloon and
hunted up steward who had not vet
turned in: 0 ""' ho' yet
sir?'' w '''inis' SIT; peef or am
Both, ..tS and cup Of coffee, please
e"eii' sir, I'm afraid there's no
oonee, sir, but could make Won not
" yea IN moment. sir.n
room, pleaseg', W " my
''Yesser.'
..; IN very short time there was that
sai1t steward rap at the state-oom door
aIaas, aIa most appetizing tray-load was
paced at my service. ~ vas
when the waiter was safely gone I