The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-12-31
JACK PRICE, DECK HAND.

suppose not one i'm a thousand will
care 10 read d deck hands story. People
call us coarse and vulgar. Granted; but
our work makes us 80. There are ladies.
| fancy, who will siIuddcr ut the thought
Of such a story. and gentlemen who will
dip into IL carefully, expecting to find {
string Of oaths. Judge for yourselves
whether this tale OF Jack Price, my part
ner, is lit for refined ears.
No need to tell you Of deck hands
life. A man that beats about i'm the colo
and rain. handling slecty ropes or bal.
ancing himself on the gunwalo of coai
barge with twenty feet Of swift waite;
under him, Is not apt to be pretty, kic.
gloyed, soft voiced fellow. Ii his face l.
red it Is because lnidwinter winds on Tn,
Ohio are not good for the complexion
He deals with rough work and Is rough
himself; but his heart Ia just about as
apt TO be right as that Of a senator or a
Judge
We started from Pittsburg on tho
George Hammond in July, Jack and J.
There was big river and we made good
time to Louisville, where we shipped on
the Charley Roberts. bound for Orleans
TO say we found it hot on the lower Mis-
siSippi gives no idea of the weather
Half the crew were unfit for duty. One
morning there was whispering among
the boys.
What's up, Jack" said |.
Steve EobinsOn's down with swamp
fever"
The boys gathered in a knot around
the capstan. Before long there was {
panic among them The mate shook his
head and looked thoughtful.
The man must lie put ashore" said
the captain.
No, sirl" cried Jack Price.
WHO are you"
PLAIN Jack Price; but Steve don't &c
ashore. It's an outrage to think Of it,"
Who's to nurse him."
Me"
DO you know what swamp fever ISL
do | know anything"
Doubtful.
"Tll nurse Steve, / tell you! We've
made five trips together, and ii he is put
Ashore here in the swamps, go with
HIM"
You it is" said tho captain, turning
Stoves stateroom."
For ten days Steves room was quaran-
tined. Nobody but Jack saw the inside
Of it, We saw him sometimes, carrying
10 the sick man or sitting on
the guards TO get breath of air; but
every soul on the boat kept out of his
way. We all liked Jack, but the fever
might be in his clothes. He began to
ook pale, but he never grumbled. One
lay the news came out to US that Steve
vas dead, a few hours after we buried |
hin on an island in the river in pine |
)ox, and the only thing like a prayer
aid over him was from Jack: "God help |
ilnw
The fever did not spread, and we all |
freer. A few evenings after
'teve's death | was on watch at the |
lead OF the tow, and Jack was with me.
Nc were putting at tobies TO keep off the
There was haze over the |
water, but the stars were shining, and |
he broad river was quiet as a lake.
Jack" said |, Tive got raging
MOP said he, as if he asked a question.
Ic took my hand and held it.
Not fever, is it, Jackg"
Come and lie down." was his answer.
A dizziness came over me, and with.
ut Jacks arm 10 steady me / would
ever have reached my bunk. Iremem-
er very little after that ! learned Of
erwards that / was delirious; but how
ing | cannot tell you. / remember
ack's face near me at times as I'm O
ream-the kindliest face you ever saw,
OF handsome, maybe; but a face with
)me Of Gods goodness in it.
When | got back TO reality again !
)und Jack bending over me. was in
10 same stateroom and / could feel from
le motion that the boat was under way.
How long have l been here, Jack!"
Quite while, my boy"
And where are WEI?
Not Far from Memphis"
Going up or down"
Going home. Don't talk If it tires
)u."
What was the matter with me, Jack?"
"A touch of fever; but you're better
wv"
Can't look out, Jack? twill do me
)Od 10 see the SUM-"
lie raised me up gently as a woman
ould have done, and ! looked out
rough the glass door Of the stateroom
Serly as a Child. Had the sun ever
one so brightly Eefore? Tho low
Ooded shores looked like paradise. No
Ountain stream ever seemed SO beauti-
| to me as the great muddy river.
Jack" said |, when he laid me down
ain, what can ever do to pay your
Pay me for whatY'
Look at me; I'm thin as a ghost.
lst have been sick long time. You've
lied me through, Jack"
I've doae nothing of the kind" said
, laughing
noticed for the first time how very
n and pinched his face was. 1t seemed
II he had grown old.
Look at me, Jack; you've been the
& friend ever had"