Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1892-06-25

NA$2 the Isle of Man, one
Nakk evening more than
y forty years ago-that
is, al OF them except one; but then that
one "as only Jones. Nobody minded
Jones; even his peculiarities had begun
70 be an old subject for "chafflng;" and,
indeed, he had paid such small attention
70 their "chatfing" 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
ite book, a long walk in all kinds Of
weather, and sail when the weather
was favorable He would not drink
he said il 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 firt
or visit the bellies of the capitalize said
! it hurt his affections. Once Captain De
Rcuzy wondered whether it was possible
10 .hurt hts honor" and Jones calmly
| answered that cit was not possiblc~for
Captain De Renzy to do So"
Indeed. Jones constantly violated all
these gcntlcmen's idea Of proper be-
havior, but, for some reason or other, no
one brought him to account for it. 1t
was easierto shruy their shoulders and
call him '.'9ueer," or say, sit is only
JONES'" or even to quietly asset his
cowardice.
One evening, Colonel Underwood was
discussing hunting party for the next
day. Jones walked into the room and
was Immediately accosted.
"Somcthing new, Lieutenant. | find
there are plenty of hares on the island,
and we mean 60 give puss run to-mor-
row. | have heard you are agood rider.
Will you join ns.,,'
"You must excuse me, Colonel; such
thing is i'll neither my way of duty nor
my pleasure
"You forget the honor the Colonel
docs YOU, JONES'" said young EnsigG
Powell.
IL thank the Colonel for his courtesy,
but car see no good reason for accept
inc il. am sure my horse will not ap-
prove Of it; and am sure the hare will
not like it; and am not II good rider;
therefore should not enjoy it,
"fou nee,, not be afraid said the
Colonel, rather sneeringly, "the country
is quite open, ana these low Manx walls
are easily taken.
Excuse me, Colonel. am afraid
II 7 should be hurt, il woul. cause my
mother and sisters very great alarm ant
anxiety. am very much AFRAID Of do
iny this.
What was To be done with q man s.
obtuse regarding convcntionaliti"s, ant
Colonel turned away, half contcmptu
ouslv, and Ensign Powell took Jones
ploce.
The morning proved to be very ba'
one. with the prospect Of raising storm
and as the party sa,hefed IN the bal
rarks-yari. Jones said earnestly to h
Colonel:
IL am afraid. sir, you will meet wit
n severe storm
IL think 50, Lieutenant; but we>prou
sei TO dine. at Gwynnc Hall, aud v
shall get that far, at any rate
Sc they rode rather slooniy away
.hc rain. Jones attended 10 the mtl
tary duties assigned him, ani the'
about noon, walked seeward, l. W:
: hard work by this time 10 keep his Toe
\ ing on the narrow quay, but amid Il
. binding spray and mist he saw qalte
crowd o; men going rapidly toward +
Al Great shelving Scarlet Rocks. y mile
yond the town. He stopped All o
sailor and asked:
"ls anything wrongf
a lttle steamer, sir, oil n Calf
Man; she is driving this way; an, j
teet, | fear she will be on IA rocAs afo
IA night"