The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1891-07-24

do. Sailors have no right 70 be tircd'
Come aft here, you must learn how TO
steer, or you'll never become captain.
The boy dragged his tired limbs TO-
ward the stern OF the ship, where he saw
a man turning . wheel back snd forth,
In what seemed to him, most siSaless
sort Of manner. -
The helmsman pointed ipto tho bin
pacle where the commas ms swinGing:
anu saisa lI11lIl( -
points, each with different name, and
you must learn every one OF then"
"Oh, can never do that" fsltered
Reuben.
eyes, indeed you can," squeaked
Rope END, who seemed to be ever al
the boys side, .'and that too before you
90 to bed"
Now this W as difficult task for the
youth, and he was obliged to re quest his
shipmate at the wheel to repeat them TO
him over and over again.
But the man spoke so rapidly that had
he been talking Choctaw, his words
would have been fully as intelligibie to
the boy.
As the sun began to sink to rest In its
watery cradle. Reuben's thoughts for the
hundreth time IN that long, long day flew
home ward.
In his minds eye he could SEQ his two
brothers driving the lowing cattle UP
from the pastures for the milking. His
| mother, NE knew, was r.uay w;.h hev
bright, shining pans 10 set the cream, I,
while his father, he fancied, was taking
his way TO Ncighbor Griswold's the mil.
ler. in search Of his disobedient son. and
| the brown mare, with the two sacks of
meal.
Tears filed his eyes, and chased each
other rapidly down over his pallid cheeks.
The boatswain, who happened along just
MT that moment, for wonder seemed a
little touched Mt the evident distress Of
the lad. and as he really did not have a
bad heart, he refraincd from calling into
rcquisition his invariable companion,
Ropes end.
He told Reuben that he might go to
the galley and get something to eat, and
then seek his bunk for few hours.
Tho youth was glad of this permission,
and hastcncd In search of his supper,
but, oh whit meal There was none
Of tho sweet golden butter, light warm
biscuit, and bits of cake that usually
Sraced the table of the farmhouse.
Instead, he received piece of fat salt
pork and two crackers, so hard, that nj
though his teeth were sharp aud strong,
hey failed TO make any Impression upon
hem, aud our little "rin away" crawied
nto his narrow bunk, tircl, homesick
md hungry.
Yet though very weary, he could not
ileep, for the faces of his dear parents
md brothers rose ever before him. while
;he smoke which circled up from tho lit
;lc oil lamp swinging in the forecastle
almost sulfocatcd him.
"Ah, if ] were only home he would
groan, but not loud enough to be heard
~ any one who might be near.
Suddenly there was great sensation
On deck, then followed u loud, crushing
aoicc, and Reuben felt something strike
aim rs though beam had fallen and the
water rushed in upon his face.
With shrick, for he thought the
,idc OF the vessel had been crushed in
INTO tie fsSis Ala, rtUSy'NH,th6g~9S
ais feet, to find whata
will tell you, dear reader. Reuben
found himself beneath chestnut tree, a
branch of which had fallen and struck
nim while he slept!
Then he realized that n terrific storm
was raging, and that the noise of col
rision, was heavy burst of thunder,
while the waters of the ocean, which had
dashed into his face, proved to ba
caught but the large rain drops, which
were falling from II black cloud that was
nnrrying across the sky.
Bcwildercd and ,lazed, the boy looked
around.
"Is it possible" he exclaimed, "that
[ am not on board of ship' Oh, how
thankful ami"
Quickly picking up. GiSa kin bsHsElls, Rcu.
ncn spran% ''icr was chosen chairman. nm,
aisregardinS I. cslff .SEssSx
the elements, he hn',tt.--.seesSo HsSwgu
place where he had siePssSts kEssSs sSs. asSs
however, his face was not turned t3WSsssi
the seacoast, but his rapid footsteps were
,aking him in the direction of Neigh!0r
Griswold.
When the lad reached tho mill the sun
was just disappearing behind tho trees
to the westward.
The old mare was found where she
hal been tethered, with the meal already
upon her back. The young adventurer
did not tarry to answer any questions of
the miller, but pushed on for home.
AS he arrived, he found his father just
starting ou; iii search oI MIN.
"Whcrc have you been, my SOM"
asked the farmer anXiously.
81 have been long way beyond the
mill, father, while Neighbor Grswold
was grinding the corn.
ooh, Reuben, when will you learn to
obey the dictates of your conscience;
which must tell you when you are doing
wrong!' --,-rn,-
81 have this DAY. dayy. recslHrf'i r%sHsr forget. and
from this time forward you shall not
have occasion to rcprimand me-" an
swercd the boy sobcrly.
Reuben kept his word He worked
faithfully upon tho farm, was obedient
to his father and mother, and kind and