Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1892-07-01

./NJgKsT Is, oil OF them except
1TlM one; but then that
one was only Jones.
Nobody minded Jones; even his pecu-
liarities had begun to be an old subject
for ''chaffing;" and, indeed, he had
paid such small attention to their
'chafiing" that they had come to find
it little pleasure; and after some weeks
of discomfort, Lieutenant Jones had been
allowed to choose his own pleasures
without much interference.
These were not extravagant. A favor
lite book, long walk in all kinds of
weather, and sail when the weather
was favorable. He would not drink
he said it hurt his health; he would not
shoot-hc said 1t hurt his feelings; he
would not gamble-he said it hurt his
conscience; and he did not care to fiirt
or visit the bellies of the capitalize said
it hurt his affections. Once Captain De
Rcuzy wondered whether it was possible
to ''hurt his honor" and Jones calmly
answered that ''it was not possible for
Captain De Reuzy to do So"
Indeed, Jones constantly violated all
these gentlemcn's idea of proper be-
havior, but, for some reason or other, no
one brought him to account for it. II
was easier TO shrug their shoulders and
call him "quecr," or say, "it is only
JONES'" or even to quietly assert his
cowardice.
One evening, Colonel Underwood was
discussing hunting party for the next
day. Jones walked into the room and
was Immediately accosted.
Something new, Lieutenant. find
there are plenty Of hares on the island,
and we mean to give puss run to-mor-
row. | have heard you are good rider.
Will you join us2"
"You must excuse me, Colonel; such
thing is in neither my way of duty nor
my pleasure"
"You forget the honor the Colonel
docs you, Jones'" said young Ensign
Powell.
al thank the Colonel for his courtesy,
but can sec no good reason for accept.
ing it. ] am sure my horse will not ap-
prove OF it; and am sure the hare will
not like it; and | mn not IL good rider;
therefore should not enjoy it."
"You need not be afraid" said the
Colonel, rather sneeringly; "the country
is quite open, and these low Manx walls
are easily taken"
Excuse me, Colonel. ! am afraid.
If should be hurt, it woult: cause my
mother and sisters very great alarm and
anxiety. / am very much afraid of do :
ing this"
What was to be done with q man so
obtuse regarding convcntionalities, and
who boldly asserted his cowardicc2 The
Colonel turned away, half contemptu-
ously, and Ensign Powell took Jones's
ploce.
The morning proved to be very bad
one, with the prospect Of raising storm :;
and as the party gathered in the bar
racks yard, Jones said earnestly to his
Colonel:
~ am afraid, sir, you will meet with
severe storm"
III think so, Lieutenant; but we prom
ised to dine at Gwynne Hall, and we
shall get that far, ut any rate"
Sc they rode rather gloomily. away in
the rain. Jones attended to the mill
tary duties assigned him, and then,
about noon, walked seward. It was
hard work by this time to keep his foot
ing on the narrow quay; but amid the
binding spray and mist he saw quite n
crowd OF men going rapidly toward the
great shelving Scarlet Rocks, mile be-
yond the town. He stopped an old
sailor and asked:
Ills anything wrongl"
IA little steamer, sir, of tn Calf OF
Man. she is driving this way; an, in
teet, fear she will be on ia rocks afore
ia night"
Jones stood still for moment, and
then followed the crowd as fast as the
storm would let him. When he Joined
them they were gathered on the summit
OF huge cliff, watching the doomed
craft. She was now within sight, aud it
was evident that her seamen had lost
almost all control over her. She must,
ere long, be flung by the waves upon the
jagged and frightfu rocks toward which
sue was driving. In the lulls of the
wind, not only the booming of the min
ute gun, but also the shouts of the i'm
periled crew could be heard.
''What can be donei" said Jones to
an old man, whose face betrayed the
strongest emotion.
"Nothing, sir, am afrait. If she
had managed to rount tn rocks, she
would have gone to pieces on ia sand,
and there are plenty OF men who would
have risket life to save life. But how
are we TO reach them from this height?"
'How far are we above water2"
"This rock goes down like wall,
forty fathoms, SIR"
"What depth of water at the foot2"
"Thirty feet or more"
"Good. Have you plenty of light,
strong ropc2"
"Much as you want, sir; but let me
tell you, sir, you can't live three minutes
down there; to first wave will throw you
on ia rocks, and dash you to pieces.
Plenty of us would put you down, sir,
but you can't swim if you get down"
"Do you know, old man, what SUR
swimming is2 l have dived through
the surf at Nukuheva."
"God bless you, sirI I thought nj
white man could do that same"
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