The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1891-01-28
The Captains Geography.

About thirty years ago, ] stepped into
bookstore in Cincinnati in search of
some books that l wanted. While
there, little ragged boy not over
twelve years of age came in and in
quired for geography.
Plenty of Them" was the sales
mans reply.
How much do they cost?"
Gone dollar, my lad"
81 did not know they cost so much"
He turned to 60 out and even opened
the door, but closed it again and came
back.
"I've got sixty-one cents" said he.
Could you let me have a geography,
and wait little while for the rest of
the money!"
How eager his little bright eyes
looked for an answer, and how he
seemed to shrink within his ragged
clothes when the man, not very kindly,
told him he could not! The disap-
pointed little fellow looked up at me
with very poor attempt to smile, and
left the store. l followed and overlook
him.
And what now?' / asked.
Try another place, sir"
Shall l 90, too, and see how you
succeed?"
"Oh, yes, if you like" said he, in
surprise.
-Four different stores l entered with
him, and each time he was refused.
Will you try again?" / asked.
Yes, sir, shall try them all, or l
should not know whether | could get
one"
We entered the fifth store, and the
little fellow walked up manfully, and
told the gentleman what he wanted and
how much he had.
"You want the book very much?n
asked the proprietor.
4" Yes, very much"
"Why do you want it so much?"
"To study, sir. | can't 90 to school
and | study when l can at home. All
| the boys have got one, and they will
get ahead of me. Besides, my father
was sailor; and | want to learn of the
! places where he used to 60"
Well, my lad, | will tell you what
will do. | will let you have a new
geography, and you may pay me the
remainder of the money when you can
quite new for fifty cents"
" Are the leaves all in it, and Just
like the other, only not new?"
" Yes, Just like the new one"
/" 1t will do Just as well, them and !
will have eleven cents toward buying
some other books l am glad they did
not let me have one at the other places
Last year | went TO Europe on one
of the finest vessels that ever ploweC
the waters of the Atlantic. We haC
very nice weather until very near the
end of the voyage. Then came a ter
rible storm that would have sunk all OF
board, had it not been for the captain
Every spar was laid low, the ruddel
was useless, and great leak had shown
itself, threatening to fill the ship. The
crew were all strong, willing men, anC
the mates were all practical seamen o.
the first class; but, after pumping for
one whole night, and the water still
gaining upon them, they gave up in
despair, and prepared to take to- the
boats, though they might have known
no small boat could live in such a sea.
The captain, who had been below
with his chart, came up. He saw how
matters SlOOu, anu, WIN a VOICE lnaI
distinctly heard above the roar of tn,
tempest, ordered every man to his post
" will land you safe at the dock il
Liverpool" said he, "if you will bC
men,"
lie did land us safely, but the vesse
sank, moored to the dock. The cap
tain stood on the deck of the sinking
vessel receiving the thanks and blessin.
of the passengers, as they passed dowI
the gang plank. AS | passed by, h,
grasped my hand aud said:
"Judge p, do you recognize me?'
l told him that | was not aware tina
l ever saw him until | stepped aboarC
of his vessel.
"Do you remember that boy in Gin
cinnati?"
every well, sir. William Haverly.'
g. am he" he said "God bles
you" And God bless noble Captain
DISQUALIFICATION Observer.