The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1893-04-04
THE CAPTAINS MISTAKE.
How q Hasty Temper Nearly Cost
Him His Wife.

Capt William BARTON, of the ship
Kingisher, had but one great fault-a
violent temper.
His young wife Mabel, who had ac-
companied him for voyage to Java,
often begged him to control himself,
declaring that such a temper would yet
lead him to the preparation of some
deed he would bitterly repent OF.
Not that he was ever otherwise than
kind and gentle to her. 1t was against
his men that he sometimes became en-
ragged. They all liked him, notwith-
standing; for, except when they made
some blunder, he treated them like
brothers. They also liked and re-
spected his good wife-a beautiful bru-
nette of twenty. The health Of this
young woman was perfect, and she
was as strong and active as deer
Having been brought up near the
water, she could handle an oar with
surprising skill. and her husband had
been heard to say that she was an ex-
pert swimmer. He was a sturdy,
broad-shouldered fellow, with an arm
like blacksmith's, rudy cheek and
clear eye. His wife loved him deep
ly, and whenever she saw him angry
with his men she would hover about
him, endeavoring to soothe him.
Her own brother, Jack Wilton, a
youth of seventeen, was cabin-boy.
His relation to Mabel, however, did
not prevent his sometimes being the
object Of the captains wrath.
One evening, on an occasion when
Jack was slightly Ill, he stumbled
against bucket full of tar, spiIling
the latter all over the deck.
''Confound you, youngsterr roared
the skipper. "I'll make you stand the
lookout four hours tonight for your
awkwardness.
Mrs. Barton pleaded with him. She
had sat up most all of the previous
night nursing her brother, and she was
sure he had not slept ten minutes Dur
ing that time. 1t would, therefore, be
cruel to make the poor boy, who was
not yet quite well, remain awake SC
long.
But, although susceptible to his
wife's influence, there were times
when she could not move him. He
now resisted all her appeals, and at
dark made little Jack get into the long
boat and there seat himself, to keep a
lookout
And mind that you keep a good
oner' said he. Don't let me catch you
1ozingl"
Have you put Jack on the lookoutY'
inquired his wife. when he joined her
In the cabin.
'sYesl''
"Cruelr' she cried, pouting, the tears
coming to her eyes.
What You are not angry with rne?''
he said.
He put his arm around her 1.-THE
waist. drew her to him and kissed her.
''Bluebeardp' said she. 81 ought to
pull your hairl''
She nestled in his arms, coaxed him
and pleaded with him about Jack, but
in vain.
Then she became very still and
thoughtful All at once singular ex-
preston flashed in her dark eyes. She
half started, rolled round In his arms
like ball, but said not word.
A few minutes later the captain re.
tired to his apartment adjoining that
Of his wife. He soon fell asleep. but
awoke three hours later and went on
deck.
1t was a dark night. and the wind
was blowing almost gale. The cap
tain looked leeward, but through the
gloom he could see nothing Of an island
the ship had been approaching when
he went below. On making inquiries
Of the officer of the deck, however. he
learned that the island-one of the
Fiji group-bore about mile off the
lee quarter.
He now walked toward the long
boat, in which he had stationed Jack
Wilton to keep lookout.
eff / find him vigilant and wakeful.
/ will let him have his watch belowI'
he muttered, gently, the dark, plead
ing eyes of his wife haunting his mind.
.Halloal He is asleepl" added the skip
per, as he approached the form seated
in the boat.
In fact, the head of the lookout"
was bowed, and the deep breathing
that saluted the captain was indicative
of profound slumber.
Barton's quick temper was at once
aroused. He sprang toward the dimly
revealed form in the boat, climbed into
the vessel, and rushed at the sleeper,
intending to seize him by the shoulder,
and give him merciless shaking. But
at that moment the ship plunged heav-
lily and, in his haste, the captain caught
his foot against the boat-mast rolling
it half out of the craft, and falling al
most PROSTATE in the boat. AS he fell,
his outstretched hand struck violently
against the back of the slum berer who,
thus pushed over the gunwale, struck
against the mast, which at once
dropped into the sea The young look
out went with it, pitching, head-fore-
most, into the dark WATERS
MAN overboardp' shrieked the cap
tain, in dismay, as he staggered to his
feet. ''Lively there. back the main
yard and down with the boatr' he add
ed, leaping to the deck
But, just then, a loud, buzzing noise
was heard. Struck by sudden, ter
rife gale, the ship went over on her
and tore through the wa
tiers, with the spray sweeping her fore
and aft An attempt was made to
lower the boat, but it was dashed to
against the ships side.
The wind blew great guns 1t
shrieked like hyena in the quivering
shrouds, and the roaring sea became
white with whirling foam and spray.
No boat could be lowered now.
LOST The boy is lostl" groaned
the captain. What will she say when
she hears of it--that pushed her
brother overboard?'
He had not the courage to tell her.
Hours passed, and he walked the deck
like mailman. BY this time the storm
had abated. For few minutes the
moon shone; then it was hidden by
clouds, and darkness again fell.
~ cannot tell Mabel cannot wake
her yet! She will learn the dreadful
truth soon enough" muttered the
wretched man.
Not long after. the dim light Of COM
ng dawn struggled through the gloom.
A solemn look rested on the faces of
;he sailors Every eye was turned
,oward the miserable captain.
All at once. from the steerage,
emerged a slender youth.
The captain stared, aghast
Then he started back with a terrible
Try. 10 scds Jack Wilton he sd,e-the
,abin-boy whom he thought he had
pushed overheard on the previous night.
He rushed mp to the boy and caught
Tim by the arm, while the astonished
eamen all came thronging aft.
What does this meanp Speak!
speakr' he gasped Il pushed you
out Of the long boat into the sea, and
lere -
What? Oh, Mr.. Bartonl WhatP" in
e~rupted the vouth. turning as pale as