Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1893-10-27
JOBY PAID HIS FARE.


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JOBY PAID HIS FARE.
The sun had set, but the lower
edges of the wild, stormy-looking
clouds massed in the west we've still
aglow with vivid. crimson fire. In
the east the gray gloom of the COM
Ing ght was mounting up the sky,
ana here and there a pale star already
glimmered in the dusk. A brisk
wind, or what sailors call "a half
gale" was blowing, and the waters Of
the English Channel were breaking
in short. angry waves, of a deep green
in the hollOws, and snowy white
whore their crests curled and spouted
in kissing foam. Far of to the south.
ward dim, blush line, which only
the experienced eye of a seaman
could have recognized as land, marked
the coast of France. while in the OBJ
posite quarter the 'chalky hcadlands
of England cleaned family in the
fading twilight.
The stout ship Falcon, leaning gal
lantly to the wind, was making her
way down the Channel, bound for
America The sails had been reefed.
the cables coiled. and everything
made snug for the night Capt.
Essex, pleased, as an old sailor al
ways is when his vessel is we'll away
from the dangers of the land, and
making good progress under steady
Wind noPnH fsI ND frn h ic r%or
deck, grulliy humming little song,
the greater part OF which was lost in
his thick, bushy beard, though now
and then you might have caught some
words, as THE sea is the place for
me, my lads" or "a lively ship and
a willing crew."
Capt. EsseX's little song was inter-
rupted by Sudden commotion in the
forward part of the vessel. There
was sound Of loud, angry talking, a
hasty scutfiing of feet, followed by the
frightened sObEing of u child.
HALO" exclaimed Capt Essex,
''what is the meaning OF that row."
IA stowaway, SIR" answered one
OF the men from below.
IA stOwaway on my ship" growled
the captain. bring the rascal here!
Wen give him a taste o. the ropes
end flrst and then-but what is
that?"
1.-THE stowaway, Sir" was the re-
Spouse, as two OF the crew approached.
leading between them a very small
and very ragged boy.
The anger in the captains face
gave place to a look of astonishMent,
mingled with pity, as his eye rested
upon the shivering form of the in
truder. But he maintained the stern
ness Of his tone as he addressed the
boy.
"Well," said he, "what are you do
ing here?"
"N-nothing, SIR" was the tremb-
ling reply.
"Who are you, and where did you
come from? Speak up, now! No
nonsense!"
ppm Joby-Job Oliver. SIR" said
the boy, between the sObs, which he
vainly endeavoled to choke down.
~ live in London by the docks, sir. !"
what are you doing here, them"
IL hid away down below, and
and they found me. 1 wasn't doing
anything. l didn't touch a thing.
thought they wouldn't mind. Pm
not very big, you see, and don't
weigh much"
He broke down with gasp and
pressed his small, grimy fists into his
streaming eyes Then, as the cap
tain remained silent, but continued
to gaze ut him with a tremendous
frOwn, he made brave effort to 60
on with his story.
II haven't any mother or father,
you see, and I have to earn my own
living. Every body says, He's too
small. What's he good for?' and
they don't take me: though l am
strong. l can lift a /trunk-a little
one. l can run errands, very fast:
but everybody says, oh. he's too
ragged and too dirty II l could get
iobs, you see, could get me a new
pair Of clothes But can't get Jobs,
and I can't get clothes, and every
body don't want me, and" fresh
storm of sobs shook the small frame.
''But you haven't told me yet what
you are doing on board this ship?"
said the captain, preserving his Sc
verify with an effort
"They said the ship was goinG> to
America" answered the boy. EVERY
body is rich in America Everybody
wants you there, you see. Tom
Dixey went there, and he makes a
load of money"
THAT'S all very WE'LL" responds:
the captain; "but people who go to
America pay fer their massage, and
to hide away SO as to go without pay
ing, is just the same as stealing SO
much money. Don't you know that?"
Evidently the boy had never taken
that view Of the question. He
Looked up at the captains stern face
with frightened and startled ex-
preston. Then he hogan a hurried
search ia the pockets OF his ragged
jacket From one he drew forth two
cOppers, from another a silver six