Waterbury evening Democrat., 1888-08-29

door, so that il a moment or two l became conscious of Aunt Elizabeth standing over me and regarding me a culprit caught red handed in some atrocious crime
 "Hoity-toityl Whats the matter now7 Why it's Jasper! We'll of all the freaks, to come knocking us up! Whats the matter with the boy? Jasper, what ails yOu?'
 Incoherently I told my story at first to Aunt Elizabeth alone, but presently, in answer to her call, Uncle Loveday came down to hear.
 Jasper, I hope you are telling me the truth. Your mother told me yesterday of some cock-and-bull story concerning the Anna Maria or some such vessel l hope this is not another such ease. 1 have told you of ten enough where little boys who tell false hoods go to-
 My white face must have been voucher for my truth on this occasion; for Aunt Elizabeth cut him short with the single word "break- fast" and hauled me into the little parlOr Whether Uncle Loveday ever had that meal I do not know to this day, for whilst it was being prepared I saw him get into the little carriage and drive off towards Lantrig. l Was told that I could not go until I had eaten; :; and so with a sore heart l turned to break | fat.
 The meal had scarcely begun when the door opened and Master Thomas Loveday saur cred into the room. Master Thomas | Loveday. a youth of some eight summers, who in default of home of his own, quarter | ed permanently upon my uncle, whose 1 brothers son he was. His early days had | lrrn spent ill India. After, however, both l father and mother had succumbcd to the eli l mate of Madras. he was sent home to Eng | land, and had taken root in Lizard Town 1 Hitherto, his life had been one long lazy | slumbrr. Whenever we we were sent, on his rare visits to Lantrig, to play together" as old age always rudcly puts it, his invariable rule had been to go 10 sleep on the first cOnve- nirnt spot. Consequently his presence en- | burrass"d mo not little. He was a hand some boy, with blue eyes, long lashes, fair hair and i gentle habit of speech. When I came to know him better, I learnt the quick wit and subtle power that lay beneath his lazi- ness of manner; but at present the soul of | Thomas Loveday slept.
 He was certainly not wide awake when he entered the room. With sleepy nod at me, and no trace of surprise at my presence, he pursued his meal. Occasionally, as Aunt Elizabeth put fresh question, he would re- 1 gard her with a long stare. but otherwise gave no sign of animation. This finally so eXasper- ated my aunt that she addressed him
 'Thomas, do not stare"
 Thomas looked surprised for a moment, and then inquired. "Nhy nOt?"
 Does the boy think l am a wild Indian ?" The question was addressed to me, but kept d discreet silence Thomas relieved me by answering, "No," thoughtfullya
 Then why stare so :? Inf sure I don't know what boys are made of nowadays
 'Sugs and snails and puppy dogs tails, was the dreamy answer.
 'ThOmaS how dare you l should like to catch the person who taught you such non sense. I'd teach him!"
 ''It was Uncle Loveday," remarked the innocent Thomas.
 There was an awful pause, which I broke at lcugth by asking to be allowed to go. Aunt | Elizabeth saw her way to getting rid of the offender.
 Thomas, you might walk with Jasper over the downs to Lantrig. It will be nice exercise for you.'
 Tt may be exercise, aunt, but"
 Do not answer me- but go Where do you expect little boys will go to who are always idle :"
 Sleep ?" hazardcd Thomas.
 ''rhomas, you shall learn the whole of Dr Hatts's poem on the sluggard before you go to bed this night
 Al this the boy slowly rose, took his cap stood before her, and solemnly repeated the whole of that melancholy tale, finishing the last line at the door and gravely lowing him. self out followed awestruck, and we set out in silence.
 At first anxiety for my other possessed all my thoughts, but presently yentured to con- gratu!&te Tom on his performance.
 She has read it to me so often,' replied he, that I can't help knowing it. I hate Dr. Watts and love to go to sleep. dream such jolly things Sleep is ever much nicer than being awake, isn't it ,"
 | I wuuteI sleep, having had but little for tive nights and could therefore agree with him.
 You get such jolly adventures when you dream" said Tom, collectively.
 had been rather surfeited with adventures lately so held my peace. |" Now, real life is so dull. If one could only meet with adventures"
 caught the sound of wheels behind us and turned round. light gig with one occupant was approaching us. AS it drew near the driver hailed us
 "Hullo lads, is this the road for Polkim l bra ??
 The speaker was d short, grizzled sea-farine man, with kind face and a good-humoreG 5 mouth.
 answered that il was. ] Are you bound for there? Yes JumI up. I'll give you lift"
 We clambered up beside the stranger, "There was wreck there yesterday, 1yt heard" said he. after we had gone few yards and an inquest and, by the tale I heard, lot of lies told" started. Iue 1utu OlO uOl AOlNe II, Du
 continued:
 Maybe you've heard of it. Well. it's run world and fine lot of lies gets told eyery l day, but you don't get so accomplished a lial as that chap-what's his name? Blessed if
 can tackle it not but what it's another lie, II wager"
 was listening intently. He continued mor E to himself than to us:
 An amazing liar, though I wonder wha f his game was. It beats me. The James an( s Elizabeth says he as large as life l take i ! the fellow couldn't a been fooling who brough
 the news to Falmouth. Didn't know me iron . Adam, and was fairly put about when he say how I took it. and, says he, twas the Jame l and Elizabeth the chap said, as sure as stan' here. Boy, do you happen to know the nam ) of the vessel that ashore here night afor last ?'
 n had grown accustomed to being asked thi dreadful question, and therefore answered a V bravely as I could "The James and Elizabeth
 sir"
 Captains name?"
 Captain Antonius Merrydew."
 An, poor chap He was lying sick beloV
 when she struck, wasn't he And he had
 wife aboard and a child born at sea, hadn't he | Fell sick in the Bay O Biscav like any land