Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1886-05-07

~ bls
with the mate in charge, 1nanaped to
keep a1oat until We came up with it.
"The mate Of the wrecked vessel,
Mr.: Bradley, was q gray-haired, rough.
looking man, but he seemed to have
kind heart. Early in the evening,
when he was sitting in the forward
cabin with the second mate and my.
self, he told us that the little boy, who
was still In the after cabin with Capt.
Harris, had been ship-wrecked twice
before. The little fellow was the son
OF a sea captain, and had been going
to sea with his father and mother
ever since he was born. About four
years before, when the ship on which
this sea.going family were, was near.
ing the English Channel, q heavy fog
set in. The second mate was in charge
OF the deck and the captain, with his
wife and boy and the mate, were at
the dinner table. The captains wife
happened to think of something in the
galley that she wanted, and she went
forward for it. just then big steam
er doomed up suddenly in the fog, and,
without any warning, struck the ship
ait and smashed in the cabin. The
poor captain was crushed to death,
but the mate and the little boy were
only imprisoned by the broken TIM
bers. The mate cried out a number
OF times, but received no answer. He
could hear occasional whistles from
the steamer for about hall an hour.
Finally he made a struggle and sue
ceeded IN tearing away enough broken
timber to Hibernate himself. He took
the little boy with HIM, and going on
the deck found that the wreck was
sinking. The vessel had been desert
ed by the others, who had probably
climbed on board the steamer. The
wreck was now nearly even with the
water, and the mate made a little raft
and launched it.. He took the boy
and sprang on to the raft, where he
dashed himself and the little fellow.
Soon afterward the wreck sunk. Next
morning it was clear, and the mate
and the boy were picked up by a
small iron bark bound to Japan. The
bark, however, got out of her course,
and was driven ashore on q small
island, not far from the Philippines.
The island was inhabited by friendly
natives, who took careof the stranded
crew, but nearly three years elapsed
before any vessel came to the island.
They were finally taken off by Il man.
of-war, which landed them at Bombay.
Here the mate was taken sick and
sent to the hospital, where he was
visited by Mr.. Bradley. The latter,
who had once been befriended by the
boys father, said that the bark he
was on was about to sail for New
York, and he undertook to deliver
the little fellow to his friends. But
now the poor boy was again on his
way to the other side Of the world.
"While Mr.. Bradley was finishing his
account OF how he came by the boy,
Captain Harris came in from the after
cabin and said that the little fellow
was. sleeping nicely. Mr.. Bradley be-
gan to tell the captain about how the
boy was wrecked the first time. Then
the captain rose up pale and trembling
and asked the name of the ship. When
Mr.. Bradley gave thename OF the ship
that was run down, and said that the
boys father was Captain Wilson, the
skipper staggered back and then rush
ed into the after cabin as if he had
gone mad. We couldn't make out
what was the matter with him. An
hour later went into the after cabin
for something, and I saw the captain
leaning over the boy, who was fast
asleep. The captain looked up and I
noticed that his eyes were red, as if
he had been crying hard. Thinks I,
well, we'll, you are an old maid of a
captain, indeed
"Ihe next morning we were be-
Gained: Near by us lay a big clipper
ship, which, toward noon, sent boat
to us. The officer in charge of the
clippers boat said that they we're
bound for New York, but were short
handed, and told Mr.. Bradley that he
and the other men from the lost bark
were welcome to come on board and
work their passage to the United
States. Mr.. Bradley jumped at the
chance, and his men being already to
leave our ship, he looked anound for
the boy. We found the little fellow in
the cabin, where he was being petted
by Capt. Harris. The captain made
a great cutlery when Mr.. Bradley said
that the boy would have to 60 with
him. Our skipper begged hard for the
youngster, but Mr.. Bradley said that
he would have to take him to his
friends Mr.. Bradley was about to
lead the youngster out Of the cabin,
when Capt. Harris fell on his knees
and put his arms around the boy.
Then he looked up to Mr.. Bradley and
said:
"You must not take him. am his
father!'
WHis father!" replied Mr.. Bradley.
What do you mean? Why, knew
Capt. Wilson myself. He was at least
ten years older than you, and was g.
large man into the bargain. Come,
let ME have the boy!'
"'No, no. cried Capt. Harris, press
ing the little fellow still closer to him.
I may not be his father, but am
his ...,
".Don't say you're his mother,
snesred Mr.. Bradley.
"Yes, am his mother!' was the re-
"And with that Capt. Harris pulled
aside the heavy black beard I men,
toned. There was no doubt about
it. The captain had woman's face,
and not a bad looking one either. Mr..
Bradley started back in astonishment
and cried: -r-'r5
"'You don't mean to say you are
Capt. Wilson's widow =, II.
That's exactly what am said our
skipper, rising to her feet and putting
her beard back into place. After my
husband 8 shiphad been struck by the
steamer was lifted on board Of the
latter by two of the men. Ny husband