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

ready thought himself a parsonage Of
some consequence.
Soon the ship began to move slowly
and majestically away from the wharf,
and, as one after another of her snowy
sails were spread, she bent gracefully
10 the breeze, and seemed to fly away
from the land. until in short time
nothing could be seen but the sea, the
sky, and few birds, which circled
s~Sovc enc tupering mast.
Now it was that Reuben felt some
whst Giddy, and seated himself on the
main hatch, lest he should fall.
Pretty soon a queer-lo okiug little man
came along the deck, and, pausinp in
front of the farmers lad, laughed as he
noted the weebegone ex preston Of the
boys face.
''Who are you2" asked the run n-away,
''and why do you make merry at my ex-
pense2"
my name is sick" was the reply,
land have been sent to wrestle with
you"
"Oh, go away, please" groaned
Reuben. "Your presence makes me
feel bad"
Nevertheless, you must have a
strange, ungainly appearing creature, az
he. Erasped the youth about the waist.
and, assisted by heavy lurch OF tho
vessel, rolled him on to the deck.
"Hullo! How now2" called the
boatswain, as he saw his protcge lying in
the The, les;scuppess. Iss; Up, up, my son.
reed i'll throwing this chap overheard.
But, hold on, I'll send one Of your ship
mates to lend you hand, for think it
IS high time that you became acquainted
with him"
The boy was feeling so utterly mis-
cradle in the firm grasp of his relentless
antagonist, that he could scarcely open
his eyes to see who it was that was goi n2
to assist him in overcoming his enemy.
All at once, with IL whack. another
member of the ships company landed
| upon his shoulders.
"Wha,, whatr gaspcd the lad as he
felt the pain, "this is no way to help
poor fellow. But may he you mistake
| my back for that Of this villain Sea-
sick"
''Not bit of it, my lad," was the re-
ply, in sharp, squeaky voice. "My
L
atm obliged to help young chaps like you
in mastering our disagreeable companion
here" This time Ropes end, who was
very supple of body, wound himself
about Reuben's limbs, and, wherever he
touched the ovice, it causel great welts
to rise upon his tender flesh, producing
extreme agony.
The farmers son, however, was not
| wholly destitute Of courage, aud, strong
ly resenting the assistance Of Ropes-end,
he staggered to his feet, and, grasping
his first prosecutor in a strong clutch, he
began slowly to overpower him.
''I am conquered! l am conquercd!'
called Sea. sick. "Now throw me over
board and 1 shall never trouble you
again. Fear not of committing murder,
for l shall be all right soon, and be
ready to visit the next ship that leaves
port
Thus encouraged aud feeling his
strength gradually returning, as the
grasp OF his foe weakened, Reuben lifted
his prosecutor to the rail of the vessel
As lie did So E5pe th9e
his limbs and he heard the gruff voice of
the boatswain exclaim:
"We.l done, my jolly mariner, well
done. Well soon make sailor of you"
"Oh, l wish | were home again, "
groaned Reuben.
"Tut, tut, rejoined the weatherbeaten
son of Neptune. "The voyage is scarce
ly begun yet You've only met two OF
the crew. Come forward, and I'll in
troducc you to some Of the rest of your
shipmatcs.'
Reuben staggered after the burly boat
swain, but at nearly every step the frisky
little Ropes end renewed his antics.
IF wish you'd send that fellow away"
said the boy. "He hurts me-"
ooh, you'll soon get used to him, for
he is one of those chaps that, as they say
on board vessel, "is in everybody 8
mess and nobody's watch!'"
| Just then the man stopped and opened
the door of a large closet, or as he called
it, locker.
"Come out here. Slush- bucket want
you," and obeying the order a curl Gus
little chap presented himself.
His body much resembled paint-kcg
while he tottered insecurely about on his
pindling and attenuatcd legs.
"Here you are, embrace your new
shlpmate, said the boatswain.
Thus bidden, Slush bucket sprang up,
wound bis wiry arms about the boys
neck and pressed his greasy side closely
to the youths jacket.
ooh, what a vile SMELL thought Reu-
ben, and for moment he imagined ho
detected the face of Sea-sick leering at
him over the bulwarks.
"Now, then, my son, you and SIush-
bucket, here. will be daily companions
for some time, and you will have to make
many trips aloft with him, so you'd bet
ter start at once. Put your hand into
his mouth, he won't bite You, and when
you. yet .up to the rox9l.mast- -Iub yail,
of the ''s.ick." Mind you don't get any
on the forward portion"
"No, sec that you do not" spoke up
Rope send, "for if you leave any grease
there shall have to embrace you again
when you come down on deck"
Then as though to hurry the be.
wihlere0 lad uDon his mission fhe nun,