The Democrat. (Scotland Neck, Halifax Co., N.C.) 1884-1896, 1885-03-26
LIE STORY OF A SCAR,

ocean steamships that sail out of this
port is tall, dark man, with thick
black hair, which he wears combed low
ca his forehead. One night, as the
ship was steaming along ly the palm
covered shores of Brazil, he sat with a
group of officers, after dinner, smoking
on deck. Far off the light on Selina's
Shoals marked the entrance to the Para
river and the wind blowing from the
shore was laden with tropical odors.
''Mr. c." said one of the Younger
officers, breaking the silence which
had been maintained for some time,
will you crafty my curiosity by an
swering somewhat impertinent ques-
tionsn
Put your question, was the senten-
tious reply.
"Well, then, why do you wear your
hair SO low on your forehead:'
The first officer leaned forward so as
to bring his head within the stream of
light that came from a state-room win
dow, and throwing back the hair from
his forehead, revealed deep red scar.
AL the officers leaned forward to look.
They knew that a story was connected
with that scar, and as c. seemed to
be i'll good humor one of them ventured
to ask;
"How did it happen, Mr.. CO"
The first officer le-ned back in his
chair, was silent for a minute, and then
saying: Il don't often tell the history
of that, scar, but-yes, will tell you,"
began the following tale:
: " hen | was eighteen years old |
WIS third mate of the ship Sea LioE,
sailing out of Boston harbor The first
trip made aboard of her as third mate
we ran to the Philippine Islands. hav-
ing discharged our cargo and loaded
with sugar for the return trip, ready to
sail the next morning. wanted to go
ashore and have a good blowout once
more before starting on the long return
voyage; SO after supper l had couple
Of the sailors lower away the dingy and
row me over to another Amei lean ship
that was lying in the harbor, where |
tooh off the second mate. great chum
OF mine while we had been in Manila,
and tcgether we rowed ashore. My
friends name was Bill l.. He
was about twenty-five years old, with
frame like giant and muscles like steel
the picture of health and happiness,
open hearted and generous, young and
ambitious. | never knew a man more
lovable than Bill. Well have lark as
is lark tonight says Bill. for the old
man says you're going to sail tomorrow.
Yes, said /, I'VE go Tomorrow Just
then | happened to put my hand in my
pocket and l felt slung shot, which l
had taken away from one of the men
that afternoon when he was disposed to
make trouble with it. Here, said I,
taking it out, 4 guess I'll throw this toy
overheard No, keep it, exclaimed
Bill, we may need it before we come
aboard again Well, we went about the
city for an hour or two and finally came
to the door of Buddhist temple There
are great many Chinese in Manila, you
know, and they are nearly all Buddhists.
Something put it into our heads to enter
the temple, and we did so. 1t was deco
rated in the usual manner of those edi-
fces in Manila, and at one end, with
votive lights burning before it and vo-
tive Offering around it, it was statue of
the great Buddha himself sAhp said
Bill, the old gentleman is at home. Let's
pay our respects to him.
''We dropped some money into little
box placed before the idol to receive such
offerings made one or two remarks
which we considered witty, and turned
around to go out, when it occurred to me
that it would be a good joke to pull
down and eat one of the bananas, a
bunch of which was hanging among the
other offerings by the side of the idol. 1
made grab for banana and brought
the whole bunch to the floor. At the
same instant several priests who had been
concealed behind the image rushed out
with a shout and sprang toward us. We
ran toward the door, but before we could
reach it the priests were upon us. At
the same time some Spanish herders who
happened to be passing by heard the
noise of the fight and rushed in to take
hand. The Spaniards all had whips
with heavy knobs at the ends in their
hands, and one of them aimed blow at
me which laid open my forehead just
where you now see that scar. l fell to
the floor, stunned for minute, but quick
ly recovering my senses l thought of the
siung-shot in my pocket, and grasping
it in my right hand, sprang up and
dealt the man who had hit me terrific
blow on the head which stretched him on
the floor. Then made for the door,
hitting right and left with my slung-
shot. My companion had fought his
way to the door with fists, but some Of