Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-05-06

| ne mate OF the wrecked vessel, NIT.
Bradley, was 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 myself, he told US that the lit
tie boy, who was still in the after cabin
with Capt Harris, had been shipwrecked
twice before. The little fellow was the
son of sea captain, and had been going
! to sea with his father and mother ever
since he was born. About four years be-
fore, when the ship on which this sea-go-
ing family were, was nearing the English
| Channel, 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
wife happened to think of something in
the gallery that she wanted and she went
| forward for it. Just then a big steamer
! doomed up suddenly in the fog, and with
/ out any warming, struck the ship aft 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 timbers. The mate cried out
a number of times, but received no an
swer. He could hear occasional whistles
| from the steamer for about half an hour.
! Finally he made struggle and succeeded
in tearing away enough broken timber to
liberate himself. He took the little boy
with him, and going on deck found that
| the wreck was sinking. The vessel had
| been deserted 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
| IL e,1J1 / :,
wreck sank. 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 a small island, not
far from the Philippines. The island
was inhabited by friendly natives, who
took care of the stranded crew, but near
ly three years elapsed before any vessel
came to the island. They were finally
taken off by 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 lat
ter. who had once been befriended by the
boys father, said the bark he was on was
about to sail for New York, and he under
took 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, Capt.
Harris came in from the after cabin and
said that the little fellow was sleeping
nicely. Mr.. Bradley began to tell the cap
tain 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 the
name of the ship that was run down and
said that the boys father was Capt. Will
son, the skipper staggered back, and then
rushed 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 [ saw the captain leaning over the
boy, who was fast asleep. The captain
looked up, and [ noticed that his eyes
were red, as if he had been crying hard.
Thinks [, We'll, well, you are an old maid
of captain, indeed.
''The next morning we were becalmed.
Near by US lay big clipper ship, which
toward noon sent boat to US. The Off
Ger in charge of the clippers boat said
that they were bound for New York but
were shOrthanded, 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
the men being all ready to leave our ship,
he looked around for the boy. We found
the little fellow in the cabin, where he
was being petted by Capt. Harris. The
captain made great cutlery when Mr..
Bradley said the boy would have to go
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 young
ster out of the cabin, When captain Har-
ris 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. I am his
fatherr
ellis fathern replied Mr.. Bradley,
| What do you mean? Why I knew Capt.
Wilson myself. He was at least ten years
older than you, and was large man in
to the bargain. Come, let me have the
boy!
Ono, no. cried Capt. Harris, pressing
the little fellow still closer to him. I may
not be his father, but [ am his
"Don't say you're his MOTHER sneered
Mr.. Bradley.
"'Yes, am his motherr was the reply.
''And with that Capt. Harris pulled aside
the heavy black beard mentioned. There
was no doubt about it. The captain had a
wOman's face, and not bad looking one
either. Mr.. Bradley started back in as
constituent and cried:
'''You don't mean to say you are Capt.
Wilson'S widow
"'That's exactly what I am said our
skipper, rising to her feet and putting
her beard back into place. After my
husbands ship had been struck by the
steamer, was lifted on board of the lat
ter by two of the men. My husband and
child were given up for lost, although 1
begged the people to return and search in
the wreck for them. They would have
done this, but the steamer could not find
the wreck in the fog and it was supposed
that she had fOundered Immediately after
we left her. l went to my friends. My
husband had left very little money, and
found that I would have to work for a
living. didn't care to hire out as a hous-
keeper or do any other drudgery of that
kind. I had learned navigation thorough
w Inns