Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1892-06-03

! "Chathng" that they had come TO ma
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
ite book, long walk in all kinds Of
weather, and a sail when the weather
was favorable. lie would not drink
he said it hurt his health; he would not
shoot-hc said 1t hurt his feelings; he
would not gamblc-he said it hurt his
conscience; and he did not care to ilrt
or visit the bellies of the capitalize said
it hurt his affections. Once Captain De
Reuzy wondered whether it WAS possible
to "hurt his honor" and Jones calmly
answered that ait WAS not possible for
Captain De Rcuzy to do So"
Indeed, Jones constantly violated all
these gcntlemcn's idea of proper be-
havior, but, for some reason or other, no
one brought him to account for it. 1t
was easier to shrug their shoulders and
call him "queer," 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 aud
was Immediately accosted.
Something new, Lieutenant. l find
there are plenty Of hares on the island,
and we mean to give puss run to-mor-
row. have heard you are a good rider.
Will you join u.s."
"You must excuse me, Colonel; such
a thing is in neither my way of duty nor
my pleasure"
"You forget the honor the Colonel
does you, JONES'" said young Ensign
Powell.
II thank the Colonel for his courtesy,
but can see no E God 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 am not u good rider
therefore | should not enjoy it.
"You need not be afraid" said the
Colonel, rather snceringly; "the country
is quite open, ana these low Manx walls
are easily taken
Excuse me, Colonel. | am afraid.
II should be hurt, it woul: cause my
mother and sisters very great alarm and
anxiety. am very much afraid of do
ing this
What was to be done with a man SC
obtusc regarding conventionalities, and
who boldly asserted his cowardiccF The
Colonel turned away, half contemptu
ously, and Ensign Powell took Jones!
place.
The morning proved to be a very ba(
one, with the prospect of raising storm
and as the party gathered in the bar
racks-yard, Jones said earnestly to hi
Colonel:
81 am afraid, sir, you will meet will
a severe storm"
81 tnluN so, Lieutenant; but We prom
iscd to dine at Gwynne Hall, and W
shall get that far, at any rate"
Sc they rode rather gloomily away il
the rain. Jones attended to the mill
tary duties assigned him, and then
about noon, walked seward. 1t wa
hard work by this time to keep his foot
ing on the narrow quay; but amid the
binding spray and mist he saw quite
crowd OF men going rapidly toward tn
great shelving Scarlet Rocks, mile be
yond the town. lie stopped an oil
sailor and asked:
"ls anything wrong}"
"a little steamer, sir, off ia Calf o
Man; she is driving this way; an, in
teet, fear she will be on ia rocks afor
ia night"
Jones stood still for q moment, ant
then followed the crowd as fast as tn
storm would let him. When he ioInet
them they were gathered on the SUNNI
Of huge cliff, watching the doome,
craft. She was now within sight, and i
was evident that her seamen had los
almost all control over her. She must
ere long, be flung by the waves upon tn
jagged and frightful rocks, toward which
she was driving. In the luls of tn
wind, noe only the boomingSof the min
ute gun, but also the shouts of the i'm
pcriled crew could be heard.
"What can be done2" said jones t
an old man, whose face betrayed til
strongest emotion.
Nothing, sir, I am afrait. If sh
had managed to rount Ia rocks, sh
would have gone to pieces on ia sand
and there are plenty OF mentwho woul
haua riolyot lifo 20 D,,k L.,
arc we to reach them from this height2
"Uow far are we above waher2"
"This rock goes down like a wal
forty fathoms, sir"
"What depth of water atithc foot2"
"Thirty feet or more"
"Good. Have you plenty of light
strong rope3"
''Much as you want, sir; but let IN
tell you, sir, you can't live three minute
down there; ia first wave will throw yo
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 sui
winning ISL l have Owed throug
The surf at Nukuheva."
"God bless you, sir! thought n
white man could do that'same."
While this conversation was going or
Jones was divesting himself of all super
6uous clothing, and cutting out tt
sleeves of his heavy pea jacketswith h
pocket-knife. This done, he passt
some light, strong rope through them.
The men watched him with eager i
terest, and seeing their inquisisive look
, he said:
1.-THE thick sleeves will prevent At
'ope cutting my BODY, you see."