Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-05-07
JACK PRICE.
'Oufy Deck Hand, but He Gave
 His Life for Others.

to read deck hands story People cali us coarse and vulgar. Granted; but our work makes us so. There are ladies, fancy, who will shudder at the thought of such story, and gentlemen who will dip into it carefully, expecting to ind string of oaths. Judge for yourselves whether this tale of Jack Prtoe, my partner, is fit for refined ears.
 No need to tell you of deck hands life. A man that beats about in the cold and rain, handling sleety ropes or balancing himself on the gunwale of coal barge with twenty seet of swift water under him, is not apt to oe a pretty, kid d-gioved, soft-voiced fellow. If his face is rcd 1t is because midwinter winds ou the Ohio are not good for the con- plexion. He deals with rough work and is rough himself, but his heart is just about as apt to be right as that of @ Senator or 8 Judge.
 We started from Pittsburgh on the George Hammond in July, Jack and l. 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 1t hot on the Lower Missis- sippi gives no idea of the weather. Half the crew were unfit for duty One morn tng there was whispering among the boys.
 s'What's up, Jacha" said I.
 "steve Robinson's down with swamp fever.n
 | The boys gathered in knot around the capstan. Before long there was a panic among them. The mate shook his head and looked thoughtful.
 "The man must be put ashore" said the captain.
 "Np, sir" cried Jack Price
 "Who are youf"
 uP1ain Jack Price; but Steve don't gc ashore. It's an outrage to think of it."
 "Who's to nurse hint"
 .Mer'
 ADo you know what swamp fever isa''
 "Do know any thing"
 "Doubtful."
 ~I'n nurse Steve, tell you! We've made five trips together, and If he's put ashore here in the swamps go with him."
 "You it is," said the captain, turning on hts he'd. 'Not another man goes into Steve,B state-room.
 For ten days Steve's room was quaran- tined Nobody but Jack saw the inside of it. We saw him sometimes, carrying some thing to 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 look pale, but he never grumbled One day the news came cut to Us that Steve was dead. A few hours after we buried him on an island in the liver in 8 pine box, and the only thing hke a prayer said over hm wae from Jack: "God help himF Tho fever aid not spread, and we all breaEhed treer. A few evenings after Steve's death was on watch at the head of 1 the tow hd Jack was with me. We were puflng at tobies to keep of the mosquitoes. 1 There was @ haze over the water, but the ! quiet as lake.
 "Jack," said I, 'srve got raging head l ache"
 - ..Noan said he, as if he asked squestion | He took my hand and held 1t
 sNot fever, is 1t, Jacka"
 'sCome and lie down, f" was his answer. 1 A dizziness came over me, and, without Jacks arm to steady me, would never have reached my bunk I remember very ! little after that. learned afterwards that l I was dellrious; but how long can not tel l you. l remember Jacks face near me a, l times as in dream-the kindliest face yor ever saw, not handsome. maybe, but fac< 1 with some of Gods goodness in it. |, When got back to reality again found Jack bending over me was in the same
 state-room, and could feel from the mo
 ton that the boat was under way.
 "How long have been here, Jacka'
 ~Quite awhile, my boy"
 "And where are wei" | Mot faf from Memphis"
 ''Going up or downl"
 "Going home. Don't talk if it tires you "What was the matter with mo, JackP' "A touch of fever; but you're bette
 uow"
 .sCan't look out, Jacka It will do m
 good to see the sun.s
 Ha raised me up as gently as woman
 would have done, and I looked out throug
 the glass door of the state-room eagerly a
 achild. Had the sun ever shone so brightl
 beforei The low wooded shores looked lk | paradise No mountain stream ever scene
 so beautiful to me as the great muddy river . "Jaclz," said I, when he laid me dow
 again, "what can ever do to pay you2" ~Pay me for what!" "Look at me; I'm thin as ghost linus
 have been sick long time You've pune me through, Jack" , i've done nothing of the kind," said ht ] laughing
 ! noticed for tho first time how very thi and pinched his face was. It seemed as , he had grown old . "Look atme, Jack; you've been the be: friend 1 ever had"
 He made DO answer, but took my han
 and pressed It. Hseemed aa # mist can