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


do. Sailors have no right to be tired.
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 and forth,
In what seemed to him, most aimiess ]
sort of manner. -
The helmsman pointed into the bin
nacle where, the c0mnssrss 81 Hss ssSt s%i2g'2g,
and ssssdsnt, snd fsaRk- u. RsypsdS stsas
''Thas ~--,. ..-~---.. =. -
points, each with different name, and
YOU must learn every one of them"
"Oh, can never do that" faltered
Reuben.
eyes, indeed you can," saueaked
Rope's-end, who seemed to be ever at
the boys side, 'tand that too before you
go 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 ineligible to
the boy.
As the sun began to sink to rest in it's
watery cradle. Reuben's thoughts for the
hundreth time IN that long, long day flew
homeward
In his minds eye he could sec his two
brothers driving the lowing cattle UP
from the pastures for the milking. His
mother, he knew, was ready with -her..
| bright. shining pans to set the, creams,
while his father, he fancied, was taking
his way to Neighbor Griswold's the mil
Ter. in search of his disobedent 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
little touched at the evident distress of
the lad and as he really did not have
bad heart, he refrained from calling into
| requisition his invariable companion,
Ropes. send.
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 fastened in search of his supper,
but, oh! what meal There was none
of the 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 All
| though his teeth were sharp aud strong,
;hey failed to make any impression upon
hem, and our little "run- away" crawled
| nto his narrow bunk, tired, homesick
md hungry.
Yet though very weary, he could not
sleep, for the faces OF his dear parents
and brothers rose ever before him, while
;he smoke which circled up from the lit
tie oil lamp swinging in the forecastle
almost sutfocated him.
"Ah, if ] were only home,' he would
groan, but not loud enough to be heard
oy any one who might be near.
Suddenly there was great sensation
On deck, then followed loud, crashing
| aoiee, and Reuben felt something strike
aim as though beam had fallen and the
water rushed in upon his face.
With shrek, for he thought the
side Of the vessel had been crushed in
nd iHfo hf HE Ess sas is aapReE Of bsing thEewa
ais feet, to find what2
Twill tell you, dear reader. Reuben
found himself beneath chestnut tree, a
branch of which had fallen and struck
MIN while he slept!
Then he realized that terrific storm
was raging, and that the noise of col
lision, was heavy burst of thunder,
while the waters of the ocean, which had
dashed into his face, proved to be
caught but the large rain drops, which
| we're falling from black cloud that was
nurrying across the sky.
Bewildered and dazed, the boy looked
around.
"Is it possible" ne exclaimed, "that
am not on board of a ship3 Oh, how
thankful ami"
Quickly picking sG dssISsS IhSss Rss
S;srssefd;py SIu ssa,s.u,.v,.. =
S'es the elements, he ha' g@Mss,-psss
place where he had sfsffs siftssf fE2sSa S
however, his face was not turned t3HasH
the seacoast, but his rapid footsteps were
:aking him in the direction of Neighbor
| Griswold.
When the lad reached the mill the sun
was just disappearing behind the trees
to the westward
The old mare was found where she
had 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 out in search of him.
"Where have you been, my son7"
| asked the farmer anxiously.
81 have been long way beyond the
mill, father, while Neighbor Griswold
was grinding the corn.
"Oh, Reuben, when will you learn to
obey the dictates of your conscience;
which must tell you when you are doing
wrongp S-E
II hays. this DAY. rsssAssa, rsssvst forget. and
from this time forward you shall not
have occasion to reprimand me-" an
swered the boy soberly.
Reuben kept his word. He worked
faithfully upon the farm, was obedient
to his father and mother, and kind and
considerate to his brothers, but it