Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-02-27
JACK PRICE.
Only Deck Hand, but He Gave
His Life for Others.

suppose not one in thousand will care
to read deck hand story. People call 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 dipinto it carefully,
expecting to find string of oaths. Judge
for yourselves whether this tale of Jack
Price, my partner, is fit for refined ears.
No need to tell you of a deck hands life
A man that beats about in the cold and rain,
handling sleety ropes or balancing himself
on the gunwale of a coal barge with twenty
feet of swift water under him, rs not apt to
be pretty, kid loved, soft-voiced fellow.
If his face is red it is because midwinter
winds on the Ohio are not good for the COM
plexion. He deals with rough work and is
rough himself: but his heart is just about
as apt to be right as that of a Senator or a
Judge.
We started from Pittsburgh on the
George Hammond in July, Jack and !.
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 Missis-
sippi gives no idea of the weather. Half
the crew were unfit for duty. One morn
ing there was whispering among the boys.
s'What's up, Jack!' said 1.
"Steve Robinsons down with swamp
fever"
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.
"No. STRIP cried Jack Price.
"Who are you7"
"Plain Jack Price; but Steve don't go
ashore It's an outrage to think of it"
"Who's to nurse him."
"Mer
do you know what swamp fever is~
IDOL know any thing2"
Doubtful
"rn nurse Steve, tell you'll 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
his heel "Not another man goes into
Bteve's state-room.
For ten days Steve's room was quaran-
tined. Nobody but Jack saw theinside 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
clothes He began to look pale, but he
never grumbled. One day the news came
put to us that Steve was deao. A few hours
after we buried him on an island in the
river in pine box, and the only thing like
prayer said over hum was from Jack: "God
help him!"
The fever did not spread, and we all
breathed treer A few evenings after
Steve's death was on watch at the head OF
the tow. and Jack was with me. We were
putting at tobies to keep off the mosquitoes.
There was a haze over the water, but the
stars were shining, and the broad river was
quiet as lake.
Jack" said l, "Pve got raging head
ache"
NOT" said he, as if he asked question.
he took my hand and held it
''Not fever, is it. Jack"
''Come and lie down, " was his answer.
A dizziness came over me, and, without
Jacks arm to steady me, would never
have reached my bunk. l remember very
little after that. learned afterwards that
Twas dellrious; but how long can not tell
you l remember Jacks face near me at
times rs in dream-the kindhest face you
ever saw, not handsome, maybe, but face
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 l been here, Jackr'
Quite awhile, my boy"
And where are WEI"
mot far from Memphis
'Going up or downln
''Going home. Don't talk if it tires you"
..Jr Nx-ae bp
"a touch of fever; but you're better
now"
Cant look out, jacks 1t will do me
good to see the sun"
He raised me up as gently as woman
would have done, and / looked out through
the glass door of the state-room eagerly as
achlld Had the sun ever shone so brightly
beforei The low wooded shores looked like
paradise. No mountain stream ever seemed
SO beautiful to me as the great muddy river
sJack," said l, when he laid me down
again, what can ever do to pay you7n
aPay me for whati'
Look at me; I'm thin as ghost. must
have been sick long time. You've pulled
me through, Jack"
I've done nothing of the kind" said he,
laughing.
l noticed for the first time how very thin
and pinched his face was 1t seemed as if
he had grown old.
Look at me, Jack; you've been the best
friend ever had !"
De made no answer, but took my hand
and pressed it 1t seemed as If a mist came
between US, and L saw big tears standing IN
Jacks kindly eyes
thought Id got past this" said he,
coughing.
Next day he came in smiling, with o let
ter and some oranges.
went ashore at MeNphis,'' he ex-
planned, ''and found letter from Sister
Annie. They're looking for me home"
Wen soon be in Pennsylvania again,
Jack"